Croutons are small cubes of bread that turn delightfully crispy and golden when baked. They are perfect for adding crunch to salads, soups, or even enjoying as a snack on their own.

Today, we're going to show exactly how we made these delicious, crunchy golden brown croutons at home. With just a few ingredients, simple steps, and some attention to detail, we can make them perfect every time.

Ingredients We Used

For a small batch suitable for 2–3 people, we prepared:

- Bread slices: 4 slices (slightly stale bread works best)

- Butter: 3 tablespoons (or 3 tablespoons olive oil for a lighter option)

- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon

- Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon

- Optional seasonings: garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon, paprika 1/4 teaspoon, dried herbs 1/2 teaspoon (like thyme or rosemary)

These amounts are easy to adjust for a larger batch. Using slightly stale bread is ideal because it dries out faster, resulting in crisper croutons. Fresh bread works too, but we may need to bake a few extra minutes.

How To Make It

Step 1: Cut the Bread

We started by cutting the bread into cubes about 1.5–2 cm on each side. Medium-sized cubes bake evenly and get crispy on the outside while staying a little soft inside if desired. Cutting them evenly ensures each cube browns at the same rate, giving consistent results. We recommend using a sharp cutter for clean cuts to avoid squishing the bread.

Step 2: Prepare the Butter or Oil Mixture

Next, we melted 3 tablespoons of butter in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds. It should be soft and spreadable but not completely liquid. Then, we added salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried herbs if desired. Stirring until smooth created a thick, sticky mixture perfect for coating the cubes.

If we prefer a healthier option, olive oil works perfectly and gives a slightly different flavor. Either choice will help the bread brown nicely and carry the seasonings evenly.

Step 3: Coat the Bread Cubes

We placed the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl and poured the butter or oil mixture over them. Using a spoon or spatula, we gently tossed the cubes until each side was lightly coated. A thin, even layer is ideal; too much liquid can make the bread soggy, while too little may leave them bland.

We also found that coating in batches helps ensure even coverage if making a larger quantity.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven

Preheating the oven is crucial. We set our oven to 160°C (320°F). This moderate temperature allows the croutons to dry out and crisp up evenly without burning. We also lined the baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 5: Bake the Croutons

We spread the coated bread cubes in a single layer on the baking tray, making sure none were overlapping. Then we baked them for 12–15 minutes, checking halfway through and turning them gently for even browning.

The perfect croutons are golden brown and crispy on the outside while slightly tender inside. Baking time can vary depending on the bread type and cube size, so keeping an eye on them is important. For extra crispiness, we can leave them in the oven for an additional 2–3 minutes, but must avoid burning.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

After baking, we let the croutons cool on the tray for a few minutes. Cooling allows them to firm up and become even crunchier. Once cooled, we sprinkled a little extra salt if needed and added them to our salad or soup, or simply enjoyed them as a snack. They store well in an airtight container for 3–4 days, maintaining their crisp texture.

Extra Tips for Lykkers

- Slightly stale bread gives the best crunch, but fresh bread works if we bake a few extra minutes.

- Experimenting with flavors is fun—we can add parmesan, chili flakes, or different dried herbs.

- Tossing the cubes gently halfway through baking ensures even golden brown color.

- For larger batches, it's better to coat and bake in two trays to avoid overcrowding.

- Olive oil gives a lighter taste, while butter adds richer flavor.

Crunchy Perfection

Lykkers, making crispy golden brown croutons at home is easy, fun, and rewarding. With just a few simple ingredients and careful attention to baking, we can transform ordinary bread into a crunchy, flavorful addition to any meal.

Whether we add them to salad, soup, or enjoy them as a snack, homemade croutons bring that perfect golden crunch every time. Next time we want a simple, tasty way to add texture to our dishes, we know exactly what to make!

Butter and Herb Croutons | Extra Sharp | Real Simple

Video by Real Simple