Homemade Parmesan Garlic Croutons Recipe
This homemade croutons recipe transforms simple sourdough bread into crispy, flavorful bites perfect for salads, soups, or snacking. Coated with a blend of olive oil, melted butter, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese, these croutons are oven-baked to golden perfection, offering a deliciously crunchy texture and rich taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Croutons
- 6 cups cubed sourdough bread (about a 12 oz. loaf)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F (190° C) to prepare for baking the croutons evenly and to achieve a crispy texture.
- Prepare Bread Coating: In a large bowl, place the cubed sourdough bread. In a separate small bowl, combine olive oil, melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle this mixture over the bread while continuously tossing to ensure every cube is evenly coated.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the finely grated Parmesan cheese over the coated bread cubes and toss well again to distribute the cheese evenly, which adds a savory flavor and enhances crispness.
- First Bake: Spread the coated bread cubes in a single, even layer over a large, light-colored baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to start the crisping process.
- Toss and Continue Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and toss the croutons to promote even browning and crisping on all sides. Return them to the oven and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy.
- Cool Croutons: Allow the croutons to cool completely on the baking sheet; this cooling step helps them crisp up further and prevents sogginess.
- Serve and Store: Serve immediately as a topping for salads, soups, or snacks. To store, keep cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Use day-old sourdough bread for the best texture and crunch.
- Light-colored baking sheets are preferred to avoid over-browning the croutons.
- Store cooled croutons in an airtight container to maintain crispiness up to one week.
- Feel free to experiment with herbs like dried oregano or thyme for additional flavor variations.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan and use all olive oil instead of butter.
