I love turning day-old bread into these Garlic Croutons. They come out golden, crunchy, and perfect every time. They’re my favorite way to upgrade any salad or soup. They’re also way better than any store-bought croutons, hands down.
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Amy’s Notes
These Garlic Croutons are my go-to whenever I want to add something extra to salads or soups. Here’s why I always keep a batch on hand:
- Crispy and Flavorful: Every cube is golden, crunchy, and packed with real garlic flavor. The olive oil soaks in just enough to crisp them up without making them greasy.
- Simple and Satisfying: With just a few ingredients and a quick toss in the oven, these croutons come together in minutes. They taste better than anything I’ve found at the store.
- Crowd Favorite: Anytime I put these out, someone ends up grabbing a few straight from the pan. They’re that good, even on their own, like my Garlic Cheese Bread.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: I store them in an airtight container, and they stay crisp for up to two weeks. I love them with an easy homemade soup on warm winter nights.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: I love knowing exactly what’s in them – good olive oil, fresh garlic, herbs, and crusty bread. That’s all it takes for flavor you can really taste, like with my Parmesan Garlic Pull-Apart Bread.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- French Bread – Day-old French bread has the perfect texture for homemade croutons – crispy on the outside with just a touch of chew.
- Olive Oil – Infused with garlic and herbs, the oil evenly coats the bread and helps it toast up golden and flavorful.
- Garlic – Lightly browned and strained from the oil, garlic adds rich, savory depth that makes these croutons irresistible.
- Fresh Parsley – Chopped parsley brings a fresh, herbal finish that complements the garlic without overpowering it.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Bread Options: French bread is classic, but sourdough, Italian bread, or even whole wheat bread work beautifully. Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best texture.
- Oil Choices: Olive oil gives rich flavor, but you can use avocado oil or melted butter for a different taste. For a dairy-free version, stick with oils. For extra richness, try a mix of olive oil and butter.
- Garlic Alternatives: Fresh minced garlic adds bold flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch. If using garlic powder, stir it directly into the oil before tossing with bread.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Infuse the oil with garlic.
- Drizzle seasoned oil over bread cubes and bake.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make a Big Batch Ahead: Garlic croutons can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. They keep their crunch and flavor beautifully, making them perfect for meal prep.
- Prep the Bread Early: Cube the bread and leave it out overnight, loosely covered, to dry slightly. This helps it soak up the oil more evenly and toast up extra crisp.
- Infuse the Oil in Advance:: You can prepare the garlic-infused oil up to 4 days in advance.
What To Serve with Garlic Croutons
Salads
- We love tossing Garlic Croutons onto a big bowl of Chopped Greek Salad. You also can’t go wrong with them on a Classic Caesar Salad.
- They’re also fantastic on Broccoli Apple Salad for a little garlicky crunch with sweet, crisp textures.
Soups
- Homemade croutons take any soup to the next level. We like floating them over Roasted Tomato Soup for that classic tomato-and-bread combo.
- They’re also delicious on top of Stuffed Pepper Soup or Butternut Squash Soup when you want a cozy bowl with a little texture.
Garlic Croutons
This is the perfect garlic croutons recipe. Crispy, garlicky, and seasoned just the way you want it. No strange ingredients. These keep nicely in an airtight container at room temp.
Servings 4 cups
Calories 300kcal
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 4 cups French bread cubed, at least a day old
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves chopped
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400F, with rack on upper middle position. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Place cubed French bread on baking sheet in a single layer.
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In a heavy skillet over medium heat, add oil and heat until it's hot. Add minced garlic and stir until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and strain out the garlic, keeping just the oil. Reserve garlic for other uses, if you'd like.
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Stir parsley, a sprinkle of kosher salt, and a few dashes of freshly ground black pepper into the hot oil. Stir to combine. Gently and slowly pour oil mixture onto the cubed bread on baking sheet, as evenly as possible. Toss gently until all the bread cubes are coated with oil mixture.
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Rearrange bread cubes in a single layer and bake about 14-15 minutes, or until croutons are crispy and golden brown. Check 2 minutes before done to ensure they're not overly browned. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Cool completely on baking sheet before serving.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly dried-out bread for the best texture. It holds up better when coated in oil and crisps up nicely in the oven.
- Infuse the olive oil with fresh garlic for maximum flavor, then strain the garlic out to prevent burning during baking. Save the toasted garlic for stir fries, salad dressings, or roasted veggies.
- I use clean hands to toss the croutons, as I’ve found that coats bread cubes the best.
- The more gradually and evenly you can drizzle oil onto the bread, the easier it will be to get the bread cubes all evenly coated.
- Bake the croutons in a single layer and don’t overcrowd the pan. This helps them brown evenly and stay crisp.
- Check the croutons a couple minutes before the timer ends to avoid over-browning. Every oven runs a little differently.
- Let croutons cool completely on the baking sheet before storing. This helps them stay crispy and fresh in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- This recipe is part of our Easy Salad Recipes Collection.
- These garlic croutons are great on top of a Classic Caesar Salad or some Roasted Tomato Soup.
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Join our Free Recipe Club and get our newest, best recipes each week!Nutrition
Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bread works best for homemade croutons?
Day-old French bread is ideal. It’s sturdy, slightly dry, and absorbs the oil mixture well without becoming soggy. You can also use sourdough, ciabatta, or any rustic loaf.
Can I use the garlic after straining it out of the oil?
Definitely. The toasted garlic is great in salad dressings, stir fry, pasta, or even sprinkled over roasted vegetables.
How do I get the croutons evenly coated?
Drizzle the oil mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes, then use clean hands to toss them gently. This gives you the best coverage and ensures crisp, flavorful croutons.
What do I do to keep the croutons from burning?
Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking. Ovens can vary, so check at the 12-minute mark to ensure they don’t over-brown.
How long do homemade garlic croutons keep?
Once cooled completely, store croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Just be sure they’re fully dry and crisp before storing to avoid sogginess.
More to Cook And Eat
- Peach Caprese Salad – This Peach Caprese Salad is layered with flavors for a refreshing recipe all summer long. It’s a wonderful way to use ripe, fresh peaches that are in season.
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad – This Rotisserie Chicken Salad is healthier than most, without compromising a bit of flavor. Minimal effort with delicious results.
- Southwestern Barley Salad – This Southwestern Barley Salad is healthy, wholesome, and packed with flavor! It’s refreshing with lime and cilantro; perfect for the season.
- Doritos Taco Salad – This Doritos Taco Salad brings big flavor with zero fuss. It’s bold, crunchy, and made to feed a crowd – perfect for weeknights, parties, or potlucks.
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