I always have crunchy croutons on-hand to add to my salads. It’s so easy to make them homemade with my Easy Homemade Italian Croutons! Simply take a loaf of hearty ciabatta bread (you can even use day-old bread!) and slice it into cubes. I use a nonstick spray to ensure the croutons are crunchy, and then I flavor them with Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder, and fresh Parmesan cheese. After toasting in the oven, you have the perfect crunchy addition to your salad! You’ll swoon over my Easy Homemade Italian Croutons.
Recipes Similar to Easy Homemade Italian Croutons:
Healthy Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Italian Beef Recipe with Peppers
How to Make a Tomato Ketchup Recipe
Why Make Your Own Croutons?
Everyone has had a loaf of bread go stale before getting the chance to cut into it. My croutons are perfect for utilizing day-old bread that you may mistake for compost. Making your own croutons will always use fresher bread than store-bought. That means there are no additional preservatives or additives in your homemade croutons! You can also use any bread you like. I enjoy using ciabatta because the holes create a delicious crunch, however you can use any bread that you like, even gluten-free or keto bread!
With homemade croutons, there are so many possibilities for customizing. If you like making your own condiments, try my Healthy Queso Dip!
Ingredients in Easy Homemade Italian Croutons
- garlic
- extra virgin olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- onion powder
- Ciabatta bread
- reduced-fat Parmesan cheese
- salt
- black pepper
How to Make Easy Homemade Italian Croutons
Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Spray a small skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Over medium heat, sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Stir in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil 1 teaspoon at a time. Mix gently with a spatula between drizzles.
Sprinkle in garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
Lightly spray two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer croutons to baking sheets. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 12-16 minutes or until lightly browned.
Toss croutons over half way through. Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
Let cool. Store in airtight container. Yields 8 heaping cups.
Easy Homemade Italian Croutons
Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 lb Ciabatta bread cut into ¾- inch cubes
- ⅛ cup reduced fat Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ºF. Spray a small skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Over medium heat, sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Stir in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil 1 teaspoon at a time. Mix gently with a spatula between drizzles.
- Sprinkle in garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
- Lightly spray two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer croutons to baking sheets. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12-16 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Toss croutons over half way through. Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
- Let cool. Store in airtight container. Yields 8 heaping cups.
Notes
Nutrition
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest @ourfarmerhouse and on Instagram @ourfarmerhouse
