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This HOMEMADE CROUTONS RECIPE is super simple.  Impress everyone including yourself with these HEALTHY BAKED CROUTONS! I love that these are BAKED and not fried, making them a healthier alternative to this classic recipe. They're the perfect way to take any salad from good to great. 

Healthy Homemade Croutons Recipe

Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 123kcal
Author: Becky Hardin - The Cookie Rookie
This HOMEMADE CROUTONS RECIPE is super simple.  Impress everyone including yourself with these HEALTHY BAKED CROUTONS! I love that these are BAKED and not fried, making them a healthier alternative to this classic recipe. They're the perfect way to take any salad from good to great. 
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium garlic cloves minced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups rustic bread or baguette; crust removed and bread cut into ¾-inch cubes
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Seasonings:

  • crushed red pepper Herbs de Provence, basil, thyme, rosemary, chili powder, onion powder. The options are so many - have fun with this recipe.

Instructions

  • Place oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 375°F.
  • In a small bowl, whisk olive oil with minced garlic for 30 seconds.
  • Pour the olive oil/garlic mixture through a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Press the garlic with a rubber spatula or the back of a wooden spoon to extract as much garlic oil as possible. Reserve the garlic for another use.
  • Microwave the butter, in a small bowl, at 30% power for 20-40 seconds. The butter could bubbly over, so watch closely the last 10 seconds. Add the oil to the melted butter and stir well.
  • Add the salts, black pepper, your favorite herbs/seasonings to the butter/oil mixture and add the bread cubes. Toss until cubes are evenly coated in the oil/butter mixture.
  • Pour the croutons onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake 15-25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  • Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and toss until all croutons are covered. Allow to cool completely.
  • The croutons will keep in an airtight container up to 3 weeks.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 20mg | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 0.6mg