Add irresistible crunch and flavor to your salads and soups with easy, homemade croutons that are a game-changer for any dish!

half gallon mason jar filled with homemade croutons on a kitchen counter with fresh broccoli and cauliflower sitting beside it

Tools You’ll Need:

Homemade or Store-Bought

I love to make homemade bread and unfortunately I don’t have the opportunity to do so very often these days. But when I do, I make an extra loaf designated for making the best ever croutons. They are so easy and so good that you’ll be lucky to have any left by the time you get the salad made.

Gotta a loaf of store-brought bread that’s gotten stale? That’s wonderful, so let’s make some crouton. Stale bread should never be thrown away because it works great for toast or croutons.

woman cutting fresh sliced bread into cubes on a cutting board

Prepare the Bread

Whether you’re using homemade bread or store-bought bread, it’s time to get it cubed up and ready for the a large sheet pan. You can cut the crust off if you like or you can leave it on, it’s really your choice. We love to leave it on because it gets so crispy that it just melts in your mouth. Once you’ve decided crust on or crust off, cut the bread in 1″ cubes and place on a large tray.

drizzling olive oil over cubed bread layered on a baking sheet

Season to Taste

Drizzle olive oil over the bread cubes and toss. It’s best to start with a little olive oil and work your way up if you need more. You want the bread to be lightly coated. Next, sprinkle the top of the croutons well with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss croutons again to distribute the seasonings and add more if needed. This is where you just let your senses go and add what looks and smells good. Give one a taste and then you’ll know for sure if the seasoning is to your liking and adjust as needed.

woman placing a large tray of cubed bread in the oven for roasting to make croutons

In the Oven We Go!

Place the tray of seasoned croutons in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes has passed, remove from the oven, toss gently with a spatula and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven for a taste test but please be careful and allow a crouton to cool slightly before tasting.

Are They Done Yet?

The croutons should be slightly brown and crunchy. If they aren’t, place them back in the oven and recheck at 3 to 5 minute intervals until they are where you want them. Different ovens cook differently so you may have to bake them a little longer or a little less. Adjust as needed.

Let cool completely and store.

Watch this!

Find More Delicious Recipes Below:

Disclaimer:

Some of the links above are affiliate links which means that I receive a small commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I would use myself.

If you try this recipe and love it, please give it 5 stars and add a photo of your Best Ever Croutons to Instagram and tag me @simplymadehomestead.

Happy Homesteading!

Marian

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At Simply Made Homestead, we embrace the joy of self-sufficiency and creating from scratch. What began as a small dream has grown into a thriving five-acre homestead with goats, chickens, bees, and more.
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Croutons from Scratch

Learn how to make this deliciously moist on the inside and crispy on the outside Skillet Bread. Just dump and bake! Perfect for the beginner, a quick and easy side, or around the campfire. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients

Stale bread, homemade or store-bought
Good olive oil
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Whether you’re using homemade bread or store-bought bread, it’s time to get it cubed up and ready for the a large sheet pan. You can cut the crust off if you like or you can leave it on, it’s really your choice. We love to leave it on because it gets so crispy that it just melts in your mouth. Once you’ve decided crust on or crust off, cut the bread in 1″ cubes and place on a large tray.
Drizzle olive oil over the bread cubes and toss. It’s best to start with a little olive oil and work your way up if you need more. You want the bread to be lightly coated. Next, sprinkle the top of the croutons well with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss croutons again to distribute the seasonings and add more if needed. This is where you just let your senses go and add what looks and smells good. Give one a taste and then you’ll know for sure if the seasoning is to your liking and adjust as needed.
Place the tray of seasoned croutons in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes has passed, remove from the oven, toss gently with a spatula and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven for a taste test but please be careful and allow a crouton to cool slightly before tasting.
The croutons should be slightly brown and crunchy. If they aren’t, place them back in the oven and recheck at 3 to 5 minute intervals until they are where you want them. Different ovens cook differently so you may have to bake them a little longer or a little less. Adjust as needed.