Traditional Golden Croutons

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 20 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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These Traditional Golden Croutons are a simple yet transformative addition to many dishes. Made with love and a handful of pantry staples, they bring a delightful crunch and flavor that can elevate soups and salads alike.

Ingredients for Traditional Golden Croutons

Bread: The foundation of a good crouton is sturdy, day-old bread. It holds up well during baking and absorbs flavors beautifully.

Olive Oil: This gives the croutons their golden color and rich flavor, while helping the seasonings stick.

Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing out all the flavors.

Dried Italian Herbs: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that adds a delightful aroma and delicious complexity.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use any leftover bread — sourdough, baguette, or whole grain work great.
  • If you like a burst of flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • For extra crunch, leave the croutons in the oven with the door slightly open for a few extra minutes after baking.

Serving Suggestions

These croutons are a classic addition to Caesar salads, adding a satisfying crunch. They're also perfect for topping creamy soups like tomato or butternut squash. If you're feeling adventurous, toss them into a bowl of pasta or serve them as a snack with a side of dipping sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh bread?
Day-old bread is best as it’s slightly dried out and absorbs flavors better, but fresh bread can be used in a pinch. You may need to bake it a bit longer to achieve that perfect crunch.
How do I store leftover croutons?
Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Traditional Golden Croutons Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it's ready when you are, and your croutons will bake evenly. While the oven is warming up, grab a large bowl and toss in your cubed bread. You want the cubes to be roughly the same size, about 1 inch, so they cook evenly.

Drizzle about a quarter cup of olive oil over the bread cubes. Use your hands or a big spoon to toss everything around until the bread is evenly coated. Don’t skimp on the tossing; it really helps the oil to soak into every nook and cranny.

Sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs over the bread. Give it another good toss to ensure the seasonings are well distributed. This is where the magic happens, as those herbs and spices cling to the oil-coated bread.

Spread the seasoned bread cubes out on a baking sheet. Make sure they're in a single layer, which allows air to circulate and gives you that perfect crunch. Pop them into your preheated oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. About halfway through, give them a stir to make sure they bake evenly. You’re aiming for a golden brown color that signals crispiness.

Once they’re out, let them cool a bit before serving. This cooling time is crucial as it helps them firm up perfectly.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with minimal ingredients.
  • A great way to use up day-old bread.
  • Customizable to suit your flavor preferences.
  • Perfectly crispy and full of flavor.

Ingredients

4 cups day-old bread, cubed
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried Italian herbs

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil until evenly coated.
3. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs over the bread cubes and toss again to distribute the seasonings.
4. Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, stirring halfway through.
6. Allow to cool before serving or storing.

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