These Homemade Croutons made by tossing with a buttery onion garlic sauce and toasting in the oven until golden brown and crispy. Made with a fresh loaf of ciabatta bread, the savory flavors and crispy, slightly chewy texture of these croutons are far better than any store-bought crouton.

Homemade Croutons are a tasty salad topping, as a soup topping, or tossed into this BLT Pasta Salad. 

Why You Should Make Your Own Croutons

When it comes right down to it, making anything at home is far tastier than buying it pre-made in the store and these homemade croutons with onion and garlic seasoning are no exception. If you love a buttery crispy crouton that is coated with lots of flavor and doesn’t taste stale, then you have come to the right place!

Store bought croutons come in all sizes and flavors. However, one thing they all have in common is they are full of preservatives and sometimes, they can be almost impossible to bite into. They are super compact and hard.That is not the case with these homemade croutons. 

I used Ciabatta bread which is made with no fat, making it a chewy loaf of bread. It is a great bread to make bruschetta with and for dipping in your favorite flavored oils and vinegars. It also makes it the perfect bread to absorb the buttery onion and garlic flavor in these homemade croutons. 

What You Need to Make This Recipe

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Ciabatta Bread or any other firm and chewy bread, such as this recipe for Italian Bread. You also could use leftover Quick Dinner Rolls that are a few days old and have lost their “freshness.”

Butter, there is nothing better! I used salted butter in this recipe and did not add salt.

Onion powder

Garlic Salt. I love this grinder garlic salt, it is the only one I buy!

11 x 17 Baking Sheet

What Bread Should You Use To Make Homemade Croutons

When it comes right down to it, what bread you should use to make croutons will depend on what type of crouton you want to make.  Depending on the age and texture of the bread will depend on the type of crouton you end up with. 

• Ciabatta Bread (my fav and what this recipe is made with)
• Italian Bread, a softer yet crisp crouton
• Pumpernickel Bread
• Rye Bread
• Sourdough Bread

I don’t recommend store bought bagged bread. You know, the kind you find in the grocery bread aisle. Bread that comes from the bakery section of the grocery store is what I recommend you buy if you are not making your own bread.

Ingredient Substitution Suggestions

• Use olive oil or avocado oil in place of butter 
• Substitute 1/2 tablespoon Homemade Taco Seasoning for the garlic salt and onion powder
• Add 1/2 teaspoon oregano, basil, thyme for an Italian style crouton
• Add 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese to the bread mixture for a cheesy crouton

Tips For Making Croutons

• Toss the croutons part way through baking to ensure golden croutons all around.
• Use bread that is at least a day old or slightly stale
• Bakery style breads work better than bagged bread from the bread aisle
• If the bread you are using is super fresh, it will take longer to brown, so adjust the time accordingly and watch carefully to prevent over browning

Other Homemade Condiment Recipes

Caramelized Onions with Root Beer Glaze

Chipotle Salad Dressing

Green Enchilada Sauce

Homemade Basil Pesto

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Easy Pickled Red Onions

Pico de Gallo

*If you made this recipe for Homemade Croutons, please give it a star rating*

Yield: 16

Homemade Croutons

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Buttery and crispy homemade croutons with garlic and onion flavors.

Print

Ingredients

• ½ cup Butter
• 4 cups baguette, cubed
• 1 teaspoon grinder garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter In a microwave safe bowl. Stir in the garlic salt and onion powder.
2. Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the butter mixture and toss to coat.
3. Spread the buttered bread cubes out on a 11 x 17 baking pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Stir the croutons and bake 7 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Ingredient Substitution Suggestions

• Use olive oil or avocado oil in place of butter 
• Substitute 1/2 tablespoon Homemade Taco Seasoning for the garlic salt and onion powder
• Add 1/2 teaspoon oregano, basil, thyme for an Italian style crouton
• Add 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese to the bread mixture for a cheesy crouton

Tips For Making Croutons

• Toss the croutons part way through baking to ensure golden croutons all around.
• Use bread that is at least a day old or slightly stale
• Bakery style breads work better than bagged bread from the bread aisle
• If the bread you are using is super fresh, it will take longer to brown, so adjust the time accordingly and watch carefully to prevent over browning

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving Calories 80Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 15mgSodium 209mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 1g

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy but will vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use. Please consult with your doctor regarding specific health needs.