Croutons for Salad

Name: Croutons for Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/4 loaf Bread, country, sourdough or ciabatta rolls; 2 tbsp Olive Oil; Salt and Black Pepper; 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated, optional; 1 tbsp Garlic, 2-3 large cloves, grated

Make crispy croutons for salad following this easy recipe; Only three ingredients and 15 minutes. Also sharing tips on how to flavor croutons: garlic, parmesan, or sourdough croutons with same recipe!

Posted On: Jan, 20 | Author: Savita

Italian American Salads Breads

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Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

No salad is complete without crisp toasted croutons. This is my go-to recipe to make croutons at home for salads. Also sharing how to flavor croutons by making addition to the same recipe. You will love all the flavors!

I have shared on blog and eaten countless times topped on my salads. And yes, I do make gluten free croutons as well with world's favorite chickpeas. Including additional recipes at the end of post. Read on to know more.

Croutons for Salad

I'm fan of croutons or crumbled toasted bread crumbs topped on my salad. Seriously, who does not love the crunch of croutons with salads?! A little crunch brings new dimension to flavor.

There are so many Croutons recipes on the blog that I have shared with all variety of salads over the years. This is so much used recipe in my kitchen that it deserved it's special post on the blog.

So here we go! Let's make salads more inviting. Let's bake some croutons for salad today!

What Do You Need To Make Croutons for Salad?

The main recipe for croutons only need three ingredients:

Day old bread (preferably rustic). French bread such as baguette or sour dough work perfect for croutons.
Olive or Avocado oil
Salt (and optional black pepper)

Ingredients for Croutons for Salad

To make flavored croutons add following ingredients:

Garlic Croutons

Garlic flavor is my favorite ingredient in homemade croutons. Even for basic every day croutons, I use grated garlic. I highly recommend trying recipe with garlic flavor.

Parmesan Croutons

Parmesan croutons are very easy to make. After baking the croutons in oven, sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top of toasted croutons. Continue baking for 2 minutes or until cheese is golden. Keep an eye. Don't let cheese burn. Enjoy cheesy delicious garlic parmesan croutons on top of a Massaged Kale Salad.

Homemade Garlic Croutons for Salad

Sourdough Croutons

To make sourdough croutons, replace country French bread with day old sourdough bread.

Gluten Free Croutons

To make gluten free croutons, use gluten free bread. Or use make grain based croutons such as Roasted Chickpea Croutons. These roasted chickpea croutons are featured in my Vegan Caesar Salad and Asparagus Chicken Caesar Salad recipes.

Roasted Chickpea Croutons with Vegan Caesar Salad

Grilled Croutons

In summer, I often make grilled croutons on stove top using a cast iron grill pan. The recipe to make grilled croutons is very simple. Brush the bread with mix of oil and garlic, season, and then place on hot grill pan. Let toast on grill until nice charred grill marks appear.

Grilled Croutons for Salad

Slice or tear bread slices to make bite-size croutons. Enjoy with your favorite salad.

Picture below features Grilled Croutons that I shared with Shrimp Caesar Salad recipe.

Caesar Salad with Grilled Croutons

Croutons are delicious way to add some crunch to salads and great way to utilize a day old stale bread. You can store fresh homemade baked croutons in an airtight container up-to 2 days. Make batch and enjoy topped on you favorite salad.

Homemade crispy crunchy croutons also taste delicious topped on soup. (hint hint)

Pairing Ideas:

Avocado Caesar Salad with Avocado Caesar Dressing Shrimp Caesar Salad Massaged Kale Salad