Amy Lippert, NTP
Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons
Buttery, crispy and oh so garlicky, these homemade seasoned croutons are bliss in every bite! They add the perfect crunch and flavor to salads, soups, and more! So delicious and munch-able, the only problem I have is making enough to make it to dinner!
If you haven't made your own homemade croutons, you are missing out! Everything about making these babies yourself is worth the prep, bake, and cool...that's the hardest part! I love to use everything from leftover sourdough to a beautiful Russian black bread I buy from a local bakery here in Minneapolis. Spice these lovelies up with your favorite spices or spice blends for a unique just for you crouton!
Why Organic Unbleached Flour vs. Conventional Flour
If you do a lot of home baking like do it's important to choose your ingredients wisely, let's unpack why I only buy and use organic unbleached flours when I bake.
Why Organic? Organic flour is milled from grains that have been grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. By using organic flour in your baked goods, you are also increasing the nutrition found in the foods you create. Organic grains have higher levels of zinc, magnesium and protein than their conventional counterparts [1].
Why Unbleached? Bleached flour is refined, and that is enough reason to cut it out of your diet! During the processing of refined foods such as flours, sugars and oils, the key and essential nutrients get stripped away, yielding a product that is nutritionally void. Chemicals you say? Why yes! Bleached flours are full of chemicals, such as potassium bromide which has been shown to be a carcinogen linked to kidney and thyroid cancer [2].
So grab some organic day old bread and let's get baking!
Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons Ingredients
Makes Ten 1/2 cup servings
5 cups Cubed day old Bread, 1" cubes
1 tsp Organic Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp Organic Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Organic Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Organic Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Fine Sea Salt or Pink Salt
1/4 cup Grass-fed Ghee, melted
How to Make Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cube the bread into 1" pieces and transfer to a large bowl.
3. In a prep or small bowl, combine all the spices and mix well.
4. Drizzle the bread cubes with melted ghee and the spices, tossing to coat.
5. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and spread into a single layer.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until slightly golden brown.
7. Cool completely and add to your favorite salads or soups like Rustic Tomato Bisque!
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FAQ's
Q: Is there a specific bread I should use to make garlic croutons?
A: Your favorite, or whatever you have on hand! I will often use leftover sourdough or bread from my easy quick loaf recipe for salads the next day, but feel free to use your favorite bread!
Q: How long with homemade garlic croutons keep?
A: Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, they will last about 48-hours.
Q: Can I use fresh garlic to make garlic croutons?
A: Of course, I just like dry spices because I feel like it's more evenly flavored, but it's all about your preference!
Q: Does my bread have to be a day old or stale to make croutons?
A: No, it doesn't. This recipe is perfect for those of us that have a little leftover from our loaf the night before, but I have used fresh bread for this recipe too. Just slice the fresh bread and let it sit out on the counter for about an hour before, or know that it may take a little longer in the oven to get that nice "crunch" since the bread is more moist to begin with.
I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. - Amy
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