These crispy, golden homemade sourdough croutons take just 15 minutes and are the best way to use up leftover bread. They add the perfect crunch to salads, soups, and more! They taste way better than store-bought croutons. Oven and air fryer directions included!
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Why You'll Love This Sourdough Croutons Recipe
Here are the top reasons to select this homemade sourdough crouton recipe over any other!
- Simple Ingredients. Only 3 basic ingredients, leftover bread, seasonings, and olive oil.
- Use any type of bread. Stale sourdough bread is my favorite kind of bread for making homemade sourdough croutons. Italian bread, whole grain bread, sandwich bread, or any other bread works.
- Best texture. These homemade croutons have a little crunch and a little softness giving them the best texture.
- Easy and quick to make. Prep time is only 5 minutes and they take about 10-15 minutes to bake.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Leftover sourdough bread. Stale bread and leftover bread makes the best homemade croutons. I generally save the ends of bread loaves to make croutons or breadcrumbs.
- Garlic powder. I prefer garlic powder to fresh garlic as I find it incorporates better. It provides a consistent and tasty garlic flavor. Onion powder also works.
- Italian seasoning. Italian seasoning is a great all-purpose seasoning to create the best flavor for homemade croutons. Substitute other seasoning blends like Greek seasoning or Zaatar seasoning if desired.
- Olive oil. Olive oil helps to enhance the flavor and allows the seasonings to bind to the sourdough bread cubes. Avocado oil and melted butter are great substitutes for extra virgin olive oil.
- Salt and black pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper. It is easier to season the sourdough croutons before baking.
Cooking and Preparation Method
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes into a large bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the cubes.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper over the bowl. Mix the bread cubes gently to coat them with the olive oil and seasonings.
- Place the coated bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 F for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway.
Ways to Use Homemade Sourdough Bread Croutons
- Soups. Top creamy soups (like tomato soup or our creamy kale soup) with these croutons.
- Salads. Add homemade croutons to your favorite salads, like caesar salad . Sourdough croutons are one of the best salad toppings.
Tips for Cooking Success
- Storage: The best way to store leftover croutons is in an airtight container once they have cooled to room temperature. The longer the sourdough croutons are stored, the more soft they will become. You can crisp them up in the oven for 5 minutes when eating them later. Store them for up to 2 weeks.
- Make ahead and Freezing: Cut the leftover bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in a freezer-safe container like a Ziploc freezer bag. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months before baking.
- Air fryer croutons: Use the air fryer to make croutons by air frying the prepared bread cubes for 5 minutes per side at 325 F or until crispy and golden brown.
- Cheese croutons: Add ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese before baking to create parmesan sourdough croutons.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh herbs are a great addition when making your own croutons. Chop fresh parsley or fresh thyme and mix it into the olive oil dressing prior to baking.
If your croutons seem too hard, add additional olive oil after baking. Sometimes I spritz them with my olive oil mister and it does the trick.
If the croutons are softer than you would like, allow them to sit uncovered on the counter for awhile until they begin to dry up a bit. You could also bake them longer in the oven.
Generally there will be breadcrumbs left over on the sheet pan after baking. You can also use a food processor to process the croutons up into breadcrumbs.
Yes, it just may need to toast longer.
Recipes to Use With Homemade Croutons
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Easy Homemade Sourdough Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 cups sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes into a large bowl.4 cups sourdough bread
- Drizzle the olive oil over the cubes. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper over the bowl.2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt & pepper
- Mix the bread cubes gently to coat them with the olive oil and seasonings.
Oven Directions
- Place the coated bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 F for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
Air Fryer Directions
- Place the coated bread cubes in a single layer on the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper. Air fry at 325 F for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
Notes
-
- Storage: Allow croutons to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container or glass jar with a lid for up to two weeks.
- Re-crisping: Sourdough croutons may become soft during storage. Crisp them in the oven for 5 minutes when eating them later.
- Make ahead: Cut the leftover bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in a freezer-safe container like a Ziploc freezer bag. Store them for up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Too hard or too soft? If croutons are too hard, spritz them with additional olive oil. If they are too soft, allow them to sit uncovered for a while to dry a bit or toast them longer.
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Rebekka says
Great croutons! Mine took about 20 minutes to crisp up though.
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Thanks Rebekka!