Get ready for seriously the best homemade croutons recipe aka you’ll never want to buy store-bought again. This recipe is pan-fried instead of baked and uses a French baguette so that your croutons come out crispy and chewy at the same time. Did I mention they are seasoned to a tee making them perfectly salty, savory, and so delicious with every bite?
I love making a batch of these croutons to elevate any salad or soup. My whole family loves ’em!
The Best Bread to Use
Truth be told, any kind of bread works for these homemade croutons. However, some are better than others. I recommend a thicker cut of bread with a harder crust because it will help ensure that you end up with croutons that are super crispy on the outside and still chewy on the inside. Here are a few of my go-tos:
- French baguette
- Italian loaf
- Sourdough loaf
- Any gluten-free variation of the above breads
How to Make My Homemade Croutons Recipe
- Make the Italian seasoning: First, combine all of the ingredients for the homemade Italian seasoning.
- Prep bread: Next, tear apart your French baguette into large, bite-sized pieces and set it aside.
- Oil and season croutons: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, and then add the bread and add a bit more olive oil. Sprinkle on the homemade Italian seasoning and toss.
- Pan fry: Fry the bread in olive oil until they turn golden brown.
- Let cool: Transfer the croutons to a baking sheet and let them cool before serving.
Flavor Variations to Try
These croutons are super versatile in the flavor department. Simply substitute the Italian seasoning with any of the following 1:1. I’ve tested and LOVED each of the following:
Great Jones
Cast Iron Pan
The Great Jones King Sear is our favorite cast iron pan. It’s definitely worth the splurge to add to your kitchen collection!
Delicious Ways to Use Them
Store leftover croutons in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 3 days. You can also freeze these croutons in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
If your croutons are more chewy than crunchy after storing, feel free to freshen them up by baking at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
More of My Favorite Bread Recipes
Italian Seasoning
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Add all of the ingredients for the Italian seasoning to a bowl and mix until well combined. Set the Italian seasoning aside for later. You will have extra seasoning.
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Begin by ripping apart the French baguette into around 1-inch pieces. A variety of sizes is ideal. Set the bread aside.
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Next, heat a large skillet at medium/high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet and when the olive oil is fragrant add the bread pieces to the skillet and drizzle the last tablespoon of oil over the bread. Use a spatula to toss the bread with the oil.
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Season the bread pieces with the Italian seasoning and salt and toss to coat the bread.
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Fry the bread over medium high heat for 6-8 minutes (time varies depending on the stove) moving the bread pieces periodically so they don’t burn.
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Once the bread pieces are golden brown, pour them out onto a baking sheet and let them cool for 15-20 minutes. The croutons will be crispy on the outside and a bit chewy on the inside.
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Serve the croutons over your favorite salad.
- We highly recommend using our homemade Italian seasoning. It is a delicious and elevated recipe with garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. If you do not make the homemade Italian seasoning, we recommend that you use 1 tablespoon regular Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon paprika.
- If you don’t have a French baguette you can use an Italian loaf as well.
The longer you let your croutons sit out, the crunchier they will get.
Calories: 183 kcal, Carbohydrates: 23 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 8 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
