About this recipe
Homemade croutons are one of those kitchen basics that make everything better — crispy, golden, and ready in under 15 minutes. Whether you bake them in the oven, toss them in a skillet, or use an air fryer, they’re the easiest way to use up stale bread and upgrade any salad or soup.
Once you try making croutons at home with good olive oil and a pinch of seasoning, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
What are croutons?
Croutons are small cubes of bread that have been toasted or baked until golden and crunchy. They’re most often used as a topping for salads and soups, but they’re also great as a snack on their own or crushed as a breadcrumb substitute. Homemade croutons are easy to customize with any seasoning and taste far better than packaged ones.
Best bread for croutons
Any crusty bread works well for croutons, such as sourdough, French baguette, or ciabatta. However, you can also use a few-day-old bread, since drier bread crisps up better when baked.
How to make croutons in the oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) to make homemade croutons. Cut the bread into desired-sized cubes and place them in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter and season with desired herbs, spices, garlic, or other flavorings.
Toss to coat the cubes with your choice of oil. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
How do you make croutons in an air fryer?
Cut the bread into small cubes, about 1/2 inch. Place the bread cubes in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings, and toss to coat. Sprinkle the seasonings over the bread cubes and toss to coat. Spread in the air fryer basket in a single layer..
Cook the croutons at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove the croutons from the air fryer and let them cool before using.
How to make croutons in a pan?
Cut the bread into small cubes, about 1/2 inch. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or melted butter to the skillet. Once hot, add the bread cubes, sprinkle with seasonings, and stir to coat. Cook the croutons for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring, until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and let it cool.
Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your bread cubes and your specific equipment. Check and stir or shake halfway through for even browning.
Are Croutons Healthy?
Homemade croutons are a healthier choice than store-bought ones, which are often loaded with sodium, preservatives, and added sugar. When you make them at home, you control the oil, salt, and ingredients.
For an even lighter option, use whole-grain bread and a light drizzle of olive oil. If you’re looking for a bread-free alternative, try crispy tofu or air-fried chickpeas for a similar crunch with extra protein.
Crouton Seasoning Ideas
- Parmesan and garlic
- Rosemary and thyme
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Cumin and chili powder
- Paprika and garlic powder
- Italian seasoning and Parmesan
- Cinnamon and sugar — perfect on top of desserts, like the campfire mousse, or as a sweet snack
- Sesame seeds and soy sauce
- Dijon mustard and thyme — this is how I finished off this cauliflower soup, and it’s so good
- Curry powder and turmeric
- Chorizo-style, like in this creamy poblano pepper soup
- Garlic, lemon, and cilantro — like in this broccoli and spinach soup, one of my favorites
Frequently asked questions
How to make homemade croutons
Equipment
- Baking pan
- Air Fryer
- Cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 4 cups stale bread cut into cubes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- a pinch of salt and toss to coat
Instructions
How to make croutons in the oven?
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) to make homemade croutons. Cut the bread into desired-sized cubes and place them in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter and season with salt and with desired herbs, spices, garlic, or other flavorings.
- Toss to coat the cubes with the oil of your choice. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Once cooled, store the croutons in an airtight container for up to one week. Enjoy them in salads, soups, or as a crunchy snack.
How to make croutons in the air fryer?
- Cut the bread into small cubes, about 1/2 inch in size. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, a pinch of saltand toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the seasonings over the bread cubes and toss to coat. Place the bread cubes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not crowded or overlapping.
- Cook the croutons at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.
- Remove the croutons from the air fryer and let them cool before using them as a topping for salads or soups.
How to make croutons in a pan?
- Cut the bread into small cubes, about 1/2 inch in size. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or melted butter to the skillet. Finish with a pinch of salt while they are warm.
- Once the oil is hot, add the bread cubes to the skillet. Stir the bread cubes to coat them in the oil. Sprinkle the seasonings over the bread cubes and stir to coat.
- Cook the croutons for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring, until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove the croutons from the skillet and let them cool before using them as a topping for salads or soups.
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Hi, I’m Ale Graf!
I’m a Mexican home cook based in Texas and the voice behind AleCooks and Piloncillo & Vainilla.
I create easy, family-friendly recipes with Mexican roots and a plant-forward mindset—always flexible and made to bring people together. I’m also the co-author of Yo Cocino Latino and love helping home cooks feel more confident in the kitchen.
Come say hi on Instagram—I’d love to hear what you’re cooking.