Making croutons at home is a great way to upgrade your homemade salads and soups with a delicious crunch. These homemade croutons are much better than store-bought as they are fresher, and the flavors can be customized to your liking. Plus, it’s a fun and easy way to use leftover bread.
5 tablespoons (75 ml) olive oil
6 cups (230 grams) 1/2-inch cubes day-old French or Italian bread
1 small shallot, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced or finely grated
1 tablespoon chopped thyme leaves or use 1 teaspoon dried
2 tablespoons (12 grams) grated parmesan cheese, optional
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary or use a pinch dried
4 twists black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Heat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
Combine the olive oil, shallot, garlic, thyme, parmesan, parsley, rosemary, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
Tumble in the bread cubes and toss until the bread is evenly coated with the herb and oil mixture.
Spread the bread cubes onto a sheet pan. Scrape all of the seasoning stuck to the bowl onto the pan.
Season evenly with the salt, and bake for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir around the pan. Rotate the pan and place back into the oven for 4 minutes. Stir again, and bake for another 2 minutes. Let the pan cool to room temperature. The croutons will crisp up even more as they cool.
Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
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