Crispy Sourdough Croutons

Elevate your culinary creations with the unparalleled crunch and robust flavor of homemade sourdough croutons. These golden, perfectly seasoned bites are a revelation, far surpassing any store-bought alternative. They offer a delightful textural contrast and a gourmet touch to your favorite salads, add comforting depth to warm soups, and serve as the ideal foundation for sumptuous holiday stuffing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the simple steps to craft them from scratch, utilizing any type of bread you have on hand – whether it’s a specialty loaf, a gluten-free option, or even day-old bread that might otherwise be discarded. If you’ve been a fan of our popular air fryer croutons, you’re sure to adore this oven-baked method, promising consistently crispy and flavorful results.

A baking dish filled with evenly browned sourdough croutons, seasoned with herbs and spices. A wooden spoon rests among the croutons, while a sprig of parsley peeks from the bottom right corner outside the dish, suggesting fresh ingredients.

Learning how to make homemade croutons is a valuable skill that unlocks a spectrum of culinary possibilities. These versatile toasted bread cubes are not merely a garnish; they are an essential ingredient with applications ranging from the aromatic base of a Thanksgiving dressing to a wonderfully crunchy breading for chicken, fish, or vegetables. Imagine serving dishes featuring buttery, richly flavored, and perfectly baked croutons, created with minimal effort in your own kitchen. This article focuses on the oven-baking technique, a reliable method known for producing beautifully golden and consistently crispy results. We will cover every aspect, from selecting the best bread and exploring diverse seasoning combinations to providing step-by-step instructions and smart storage tips, ensuring your homemade croutons are always a resounding success. (Please note: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.)

Why Homemade Croutons Are a Game-Changer for Every Kitchen

Once you’ve savored the exceptional taste and texture of homemade croutons, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever settle for the pre-packaged variety again. The difference is truly remarkable, elevating a simple ingredient to a culinary delight. Store-bought croutons often rely on preservatives and artificial flavors, resulting in a product that lacks the fresh, vibrant taste and satisfying crunch achievable with real bread and natural seasonings. Crafting them yourself provides complete control over the ingredients, making them an ideal choice for individuals with specific dietary needs, such as gluten intolerance, or those wishing to avoid certain allergens. Moreover, it’s an ingenious and delicious way to minimize food waste by transforming day-old or slightly stale bread into a valuable and flavorful component of your meals.

Beyond their superior flavor profile, homemade croutons boast incredible versatility in the kitchen. They are far more than just a topping; they can become a focal point of a dish. Consider the delightful crispness they bring to a velvety tomato bisque, the textural complexity they add to a vibrant Caesar salad, or the way they expertly absorb savory broths in a hearty holiday stuffing. Their potential truly extends far beyond these traditional uses, offering creative home cooks endless opportunities to transform everyday recipes into something truly special and memorable. This simple addition can redefine the entire dining experience, adding depth, texture, and a burst of flavor to an array of dishes.

Choosing Your Bread: The Perfect Foundation for Crispy Croutons

While this recipe proudly features sourdough bread, the inherent beauty of homemade croutons lies in their remarkable adaptability. You can effectively use almost any type of bread, and the results will still be wonderfully flavorful and satisfying. The crucial element is often utilizing bread that is a day or two old, or slightly stale, as its reduced moisture content allows it to crisp up far more effectively during baking. Here’s a closer look at excellent bread choices and how they contribute to the final crouton:

  • Sourdough Bread: Our top recommendation, sourdough imparts a distinctive tangy flavor and possesses a robust crumb that holds its shape beautifully while baking. This results in a crouton that is wonderfully chewy on the inside and exquisitely crispy on the outside. Whether you embark on the rewarding journey of baking your own loaf from scratch using a sourdough starter or prefer to pick up a freshly baked loaf from your local artisanal bakery, sourdough offers an exceptional foundation for your croutons.
  • Gluten-Free Bread: Absolutely! Making delicious gluten-free croutons is just as simple and rewarding. Merely substitute traditional sourdough with your favorite gluten-free loaf. The preparation process remains identical, ensuring that everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, can indulge in these savory, crunchy delights.
  • Leftover Bread: This is an outstanding strategy for food waste reduction. Any leftover bread, from the airy texture of a French baguette to the wholesome density of a whole wheat loaf, can be ingeniously repurposed. Do not let those forgotten end pieces or slightly hardened slices go to waste; transform them into something incredible!
  • Sourdough Focaccia: As highlighted in the original recipe, Sourdough Focaccia brings a rich, often olive oil-infused flavor and a wonderfully open, airy texture that crisps up beautifully, yielding robust and deeply flavorful croutons with a Mediterranean flair.
  • Cornbread: For a unique and wonderfully comforting twist, particularly well-suited for Southern-inspired dishes or as a delightful addition to your holiday spread, leftover cornbread makes incredibly flavorful croutons. Its subtly sweet and crumbly texture offers a distinct and satisfying flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with chili or stews.

Regardless of your bread selection, the key to uniform baking and consistent crispness lies in cutting your bread into evenly sized cubes, ideally ranging from 1/2 to 3/4 inch. This attention to detail ensures that each crouton achieves that coveted golden-brown perfection.

Table of Contents

  • Why Homemade Croutons Are a Game-Changer for Every Kitchen
  • Choosing Your Bread: The Perfect Foundation for Crispy Croutons
  • Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Croutons
  • Croutons vs. Stuffing Mix: The Ultimate Holiday Hack
  • Baking Perfect Croutons in the Oven: Step-by-Step
  • Beyond the Bowl: Creative Uses for Your Homemade Croutons
  • Pro Tips for Achieving the Best Croutons
  • Storing Homemade Croutons to Maintain Crispness
Top-down view of various ingredients for a stuffing recipe laid out on a light textured surface, including cubed sourdough bread, chopped onions, minced garlic, a small dish of melted butter, a bowl of seasoning with salt and pepper, and a gravy boat filled with brown liquid.
Close-up photograph of golden-brown onion croutons, perfectly toasted and seasoned with visible specks of herbs, arranged on a rustic surface, ready to be added to a dish.

Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Croutons

Creating truly delicious homemade croutons relies on a thoughtfully selected blend of simple yet impactful ingredients. Beyond your primary bread choice, the right combination of aromatics, fats, and seasonings is what elevates them from mere toasted bread to a flavor-packed, irresistible accompaniment. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need for our featured sourdough crouton recipe, along with insightful suggestions for personal customization:

  • 3 cups Sourdough Bread Cubes: Ideally, use day-old or slightly stale bread, cut into uniform 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. This ensures optimal crispness. As mentioned, other bread types like Sourdough Focaccia or gluten-free loaves work wonderfully.
  • 1 Small Onion, Diced Fine: When gently sautéed, the onion adds a fundamental layer of sweetness and aromatic depth, which becomes a subtle background note in the finished croutons.
  • 1 Stalk Celery, Diced Fine: Celery contributes a delicate, earthy flavor and forms part of a classic aromatic base, especially beneficial if you intend to use your croutons for stuffing.
  • 2 tbsp Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is absolutely crucial for delivering a pungent, savory kick that infuses every bite. You can easily adjust this amount up or down based on your personal preference for garlic intensity.
  • 1 tbsp Butter or Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Butter provides a rich, decadent flavor and helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown color. Alternatively, extra virgin olive oil offers a lighter, fruitier, and more Mediterranean-inspired taste. Choose the fat that best aligns with your desired flavor profile.
  • 1/3 cup Chicken Broth: This liquid is strategically used to gently moisten the bread cubes, allowing them to absorb the wonderful flavors of the sautéed aromatics and herbs. It also prevents the bread from becoming overly dry and brittle during the baking process. Vegetable broth is an excellent substitute for a vegetarian-friendly option.
  • 1/3 tsp Each of Dried Herbs and Seasonings:
    • Dried Sage: A quintessential earthy herb, sage is particularly prominent in traditional holiday flavors and pairs exquisitely with savory dishes. Consider a high-quality dried sage for maximum impact.
    • Dried Rosemary: Rosemary introduces a wonderfully fragrant, piney, and slightly peppery note that beautifully complements the tang of sourdough bread.
    • Salt: A non-negotiable ingredient, salt is essential for amplifying and balancing all the other flavors. Always adjust the quantity to your personal taste.
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Optional): A dash of freshly cracked black pepper adds a delightful and subtle piquancy.
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional): For an extra layer of savory complexity and a beautiful, slightly crispy crust, a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese can be added towards the end of the baking cycle.

Expand Your Flavor Horizon: Creative Seasoning Variations

While the combination of rosemary, sage, and garlic creates a truly exquisite savory crouton, we strongly encourage you to unleash your creativity with different flavor combinations:

  • Classic Italian Herb Blend: Combine dried oregano, basil, thyme, a touch of onion powder, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a robust Italian profile.
  • Spicy Garlic Kick: Amp up the minced garlic, add a generous amount of red pepper flakes, and incorporate a subtle dash of smoked paprika for a warm, fiery flavor.
  • Zesty Lemon Herb: Infuse your croutons with the bright, vibrant zest of one lemon, paired with fresh or dried thyme and parsley for an aromatic, fresh taste.
  • Smoky Southwest: Utilize smoked paprika, a pinch of cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of cayenne pepper for a warming, smoky depth.
  • Cheesy Garlic Delight: A simple yet irresistible combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and a blend of Parmesan and a sharp cheddar cheese for maximum cheesy goodness.

Feel empowered to experiment with these suggestions, or devise your own unique blends. Adjusting the quantities and combinations of herbs and spices will allow you to tailor your croutons perfectly to your personal taste and to complement the specific dish you intend to pair them with.

Croutons vs. Stuffing Mix: The Ultimate Holiday Hack

A frequently asked question revolves around the interchangeability of croutons and traditional stuffing mix. The answer is an emphatic yes! In fact, utilizing homemade croutons as the foundation for any stuffing or dressing recipe yields a product with superior depth of flavor, nuanced texture, and an overall homemade quality that pre-packaged mixes simply cannot replicate. While homemade croutons are typically cut into slightly larger cubes than the pieces found in commercial stuffing mixes, this minor difference is negligible and can even be an advantage, lending more satisfying substance and chew to your finished stuffing.

Should you desire a texture that more closely resembles conventional dry stuffing mix, a simple solution is to give your baked croutons a gentle crush. This can be achieved easily by hand, or by placing them in a sturdy Ziploc bag and using a rolling pin to break them down into smaller, more uniform pieces. This smaller size will allow them to absorb broths and seasonings more thoroughly, mimicking the characteristics of traditional mixes. When preparing, whether you opt for a standard sheet pan or a large casserole dish, the cardinal rule remains: avoid overcrowding. Spreading the croutons in a single, even layer is paramount to ensure uniform drying and maximum crispness, thereby preventing any undesirable soggy sections.

These homemade croutons have proven to be an exceptional base for cherished holiday recipes, including our acclaimed Pepperidge Farm Sausage Stuffing Recipe, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They also form an outstanding foundation for more inventive preparations, such as our distinctive Bundt Pan Stuffing, adding an extra layer of homemade care that truly elevates the dish into something extraordinary. During the often-hectic holiday season, investing that bit of extra time to craft fundamental ingredients like these croutons is a worthwhile commitment to flavor, tradition, and culinary excellence.

Beyond the grandeur of holiday feasts, these versatile croutons can effortlessly replace boxed mixes in everyday comfort food applications as well. For instance, they are a fantastic ingredient when making a savory Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf, providing a hearty, flavorful binder and textural interest. Choosing homemade over pre-made cubes offers the invaluable benefit of complete ingredient control, which is particularly significant for managing food allergies or precisely tailoring flavors to your preferences. If you appreciate a little heat, a judicious addition of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix can transform your croutons. Conversely, if a milder profile is desired, simply omit the spice. The culinary possibilities truly are endless when you begin with such a high-quality, homemade base.

Golden brown cornbread croutons, irregular in shape and perfectly toasted, scattered on a baking sheet, ready for serving or further preparation.
What can you make with stale bread?

Stale bread is a true culinary gem, not an item destined for the trash! Homemade croutons stand out as one of the absolute best ways to make the most of a loaf of bread that’s passed its prime. Instead of discarding it, simply cube it into pieces, toss them with a little broth and your favorite seasonings, and bake in the oven on a sheet pan. The outcome will be wonderfully crispy, crunchy garnishes perfect for elevating salads, soups, or even serving as a flavorful base for savory bread puddings. Other fantastic uses for stale bread include crafting fresh, flavorful breadcrumbs, preparing a vibrant panzanella salad, or building hearty, comforting stratas.

Why is stale bread better for croutons?

Stale bread is inherently superior for making croutons because it contains significantly less moisture than fresh bread. This crucial difference allows it to dry out and crisp up much more rapidly and thoroughly in the oven, without developing a tough or overly chewy texture. Fresh bread, with its higher moisture content, tends to toast unevenly and can often become dense and heavy rather than light and airy when subjected to baking.

Can I make croutons without butter or oil?

While it is technically possible to make croutons without butter or oil, the results will be significantly different. Fat is essential for carrying flavor, promoting even browning, and achieving that desirable rich, golden crispness. Without it, your croutons may turn out drier, less flavorful, and prone to burning rather than toasting. For the best texture and taste, a small amount of fat is highly recommended.

If you’ve ever found yourself with leftover cornbread from the previous day’s meal, resist the urge to discard it! The firmer texture of day-old cornbread makes it remarkably easier to slice and cube, positioning it as another perfect candidate for transforming into delicious croutons. Whether you meticulously cut them into perfect squares or embrace rustic, irregular shapes, the distinct, slightly sweet flavor of cornbread croutons will be a delightful and unexpected addition to chili, hearty stews, or even a simple fresh green salad.

Baking Perfect Croutons in the Oven: Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving consistently golden, exquisitely crispy, and perfectly flavored croutons in your oven is a surprisingly straightforward process. By following these detailed, step-by-step instructions, you’ll produce a batch of homemade goodness that will impress every time:

  • Step 1: Preheat Oven & Initial Dry (Optional but Recommended)
    Begin by preheating your oven to 270°F (132°C). While not strictly essential if your bread is already very stale, an initial drying step can significantly enhance overall crispness. Spread your uniformly cubed bread in a single layer across a large baking sheet and bake for 5-6 minutes. This gentle bake helps to evaporate any residual moisture. Remove the bread from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly. Once done, increase your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the main bake.
  • Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
    In a large pan or skillet over medium heat, melt the butter (or heat your chosen extra virgin olive oil). Add the finely diced onion and celery, cooking them gently for about 3-4 minutes until they have softened and become translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and continue to cook for just another 1-2 minutes until it releases its fragrant aroma. Be vigilant at this stage to prevent the garlic from burning, which can lead to a bitter taste. Once fragrant, remove the pan from the heat and set the sautéed vegetables aside.
  • Step 3: Combine Ingredients & Season Generously
    Transfer the pre-dried bread cubes (or fresh cubes, if you opted to skip step 1) into a spacious mixing bowl. Add the sautéed onion, celery, and garlic from the pan. Sprinkle generously with your selected dried herbs (sage and rosemary as specified in the recipe), salt, and freshly ground black pepper if desired. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the bread cubes are evenly coated with the aromatic mixture.
  • Step 4: Moisten Evenly with Broth
    Gradually pour in the chicken broth, adding a small portion at a time. As you add the broth, gently toss the bread cubes. The objective is to evenly moisten and saturate the bread with liquid and flavor without rendering it soggy. Pay attention to the texture of the bread; stop adding broth if the cubes already feel adequately moistened, as you may not require the entire 1/3 cup, depending on the initial dryness of your bread.
  • Step 5: Arrange for Baking & Bake to Perfection
    Carefully transfer the seasoned and moistened bread cubes to a baking dish or a large baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Crucially, spread the cubes out in a single layer, minimizing any overlap as much as possible. This meticulous arrangement is vital for achieving uniform baking and that coveted crisp texture. For croutons with a slightly softer, more tender, stuffing-like consistency, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil or a lid. However, for maximum crispness, it is best to bake them uncovered.
  • Step 6: Final Crisp & Cool Down
    Bake the croutons in the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for an initial period of 30 minutes. If you used foil or a lid, remove it at this point. Continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the croutons achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and are wonderfully crisped to your preference. During this final stage, monitor them closely to prevent over-browning or burning.

Once baked to perfection, promptly remove the croutons from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack (or simply leave them on the baking sheet) to cool down completely to room temperature. This cooling period is essential, as it allows the croutons to firm up and reach their ultimate crispness. While these homemade delights are undeniably best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly store them for later use.

A rustic wooden bowl filled with golden-brown gluten-free croutons, lightly browned and seasoned, set against a dark, textured background.

Beyond the Bowl: Creative Uses for Your Homemade Croutons

While croutons are classically associated with being a delightful accompaniment to salads and soups, their extensive culinary potential stretches far beyond these traditional applications. Their inherent crisp texture and savory flavor profile make them an incredibly versatile ingredient, capable of enhancing a wide array of dishes.

  • Superior Homemade Breadcrumbs: Bid farewell to bland, store-bought breadcrumbs! Once your freshly baked croutons have completely cooled, simply crush them into a fine, sand-like texture. This can be effortlessly achieved using a food processor for speed, or by placing them in a sturdy Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin for a more rustic crumb. These fresh, intensely flavorful breadcrumbs are absolutely perfect for breading any type of meat, poultry, or vegetable. Imagine coating tender thin pork chops after an egg wash, then baking them to a magnificent golden, crispy perfection. They also perform exceptionally well as a crunchy topping for casseroles, a decadent mac and cheese, or as an essential binder in homemade meatballs and savory meatloaves.
  • Authentic Panzanella Salad: This classic Italian bread salad is specifically designed to celebrate stale bread. Transform your croutons by tossing them with juicy, ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, thinly sliced red onion, fresh basil leaves, and a vibrant vinaigrette dressing. The magic happens as the croutons gracefully soak up the dressing and the delicious juices from the fresh tomatoes, becoming tender yet retaining a wonderfully delightful chew.
  • Hearty Stuffing and Dressing: As thoroughly discussed earlier, these homemade croutons are the optimal choice for preparing holiday stuffings and dressings. They contribute a richer, more authentic flavor and a significantly superior texture compared to any pre-packaged mix you might find.
  • Elevated Egg Dishes: Incorporate a generous handful of your homemade croutons into savory stratas, elegant quiches, or rustic frittatas for an exciting added layer of texture and an extra burst of savory goodness. They will adeptly absorb the egg mixture during cooking, becoming wonderfully tender and flavorful.
  • Irresistible Snack Attack: Let’s be honest, a bowl of freshly baked, still-warm homemade croutons can be an utterly delicious and satisfying snack entirely on its own! Enjoy them plain, dip them into creamy hummus or your favorite dip, or simply savor their simple, wholesome taste.

By investing a small amount of time to make your own croutons, you’re not just creating a mere topping; you are unlocking a fundamental, versatile ingredient that possesses the power to elevate countless recipes, imbue your dishes with incredible flavor, and significantly reduce food waste in your kitchen.

Pro Tips for Achieving the Best Croutons Every Time

While the fundamental process of making croutons is relatively simple, a few expert insights and meticulous techniques can consistently help you achieve genuinely perfect croutons. These tips will ensure your batch is always golden, crispy, and bursting with flavor:

  • Don’t Skimp on the Fat: Whether your preference leans towards rich butter or robust olive oil, it is crucial to ensure that your bread cubes are adequately and evenly coated. The fat is absolutely essential for effectively carrying the seasonings’ flavors, promoting even browning, and achieving that highly desirable, satisfyingly golden-brown crispness that defines a great crouton.
  • Uniform Cubes are Key: The importance of uniformly sized bread cubes cannot be overstated. Consistent sizing ensures that all pieces bake evenly, preventing the common frustration of some croutons burning while others remain disappointingly soft or undercooked. Aim for precision for the best results.
  • Avoid Overcrowding at All Costs: This is arguably the single most critical piece of advice. If your bread cubes are piled too high or packed too closely on the baking sheet, they will inevitably steam rather than toast. This leads to soft, chewy, or even soggy croutons instead of the crisp, airy ones you desire. If necessary, use multiple baking sheets to guarantee that all the bread cubes are spread out in a single, uncrowded layer.
  • The Two-Temperature Approach for Superior Texture: Employing a two-stage baking process (low then higher heat) is a game-changer. The initial lower temperature (270°F or 132°C) is designed to gently dry out the bread without browning it prematurely. The subsequent higher temperature (350°F or 175°C) then expertly crisps and browns them to perfection, yielding an ideal texture.
  • Taste and Adjust Seasoning Pre-Bake: Always take a moment to taste a small piece of your bread cubes after you’ve thoroughly tossed them with the herbs, salt, and broth, but crucially, before they enter the oven. This is your prime opportunity to fine-tune the seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve your ideal flavor balance.
  • Shake and Flip for Even Browning: For truly consistent and beautiful golden-brown results across every crouton, make it a habit to give your baking sheet a good shake, or use a spatula to gently flip the croutons, approximately halfway through the baking process.
  • Cool Completely for Maximum Crunch: Resist the tempting urge to immediately dive into your warm, freshly baked croutons! Croutons continue to develop their crispness as they cool. Allowing them to reach complete room temperature before serving or storing ensures they achieve their ultimate, satisfying crunch.

Storing Homemade Croutons to Maintain Crispness

Homemade sourdough bread croutons are undeniably at their absolute best when enjoyed fresh, still warm from the oven. However, with the application of proper storage techniques, you can effectively extend their delicious life and preserve their coveted crunch for several days. It is important to manage expectations, as their texture will naturally soften slightly over time. Nevertheless, these strategic tips will help you maintain their crispness for as long as possible:

  • Ensure They Are Completely Cool: This step is non-negotiable. Before even considering storage, make absolutely certain that your croutons have cooled down entirely to room temperature. Storing warm croutons, even slightly warm ones, will inevitably create condensation inside the container, which is the primary culprit behind dreaded sogginess.
  • Airtight Container is Essential: Once fully cooled, transfer your croutons into a truly airtight container or a heavy-duty, resealable freezer bag. This creates a barrier against exposure to air and environmental moisture, which are the main factors responsible for making croutons lose their crisp texture.
  • The Paper Towel Trick: For superior results in combating moisture build-up, a clever trick is to place a single sheet of paper towel at the bottom of the container, then add your croutons, and finally, place another piece of paper towel on top before sealing. The paper towel acts as a natural absorbent, drawing out any residual moisture and significantly helping to prolong their crispness.
  • Room Temperature Storage is Best: Store your sealed container of croutons at room temperature in a cool, dry place within your pantry or a cupboard. It’s advisable to avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as the cool, damp environment inside a fridge can actually make them go stale and soft much faster.
  • Revive Them (Optional): Should your stored croutons lose some of their initial crunch over time, don’t despair! They can often be easily revived. Simply spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until they regain their desired crispness.
  • Freezing for Extended Storage: For much longer storage, up to 3 months, you can freeze completely cooled croutons. Place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing. While they might experience a minor loss of crunch compared to fresh, they will still be excellent for use in stuffings or for breaking down into breadcrumbs. Thaw them at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen in the oven.

By diligently following these storage guidelines, you will be able to enjoy your delicious homemade croutons for several days, making them a convenient, flavorful, and readily available addition to your meals throughout the week.

A baking dish filled with generously seasoned sourdough croutons, appearing like a prepared stuffing mix, arranged evenly. The dish is placed on a light-colored wooden surface, with a glimpse of a knife and a sprig of green herb nearby, suggesting readiness for a meal.
How to Make Homemade Sourdough Croutons in the Oven

Homemade Sourdough Croutons

By Justine
These irresistible homemade sourdough croutons are perfect for adding a crispy, flavorful crunch to soups, salads, and are an excellent base for savory stuffing. Easy to make with any bread, including gluten-free or stale loaves!
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45-50 mins
Yields: 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large sheet pan or casserole dish
  • 1 cutting board
  • 1 large skillet or pan
  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 3 cups sourdough bread, cubed (day-old or stale works best)
  • 1 small onion, diced fine
  • 1 stalk celery, diced fine
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1/3 tsp dried sage
  • 1/3 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/3 tsp salt (to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste, optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Bread: If using fresh bread or for an extra crisp result, preheat your oven to 270°F (132°C). Spread the cubed bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-6 minutes to dry it out. Remove from the oven and set aside. Increase your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pan or skillet over medium heat, melt the butter (or heat olive oil). Add the finely diced onion and celery, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Remove the pan from heat.
  3. Combine & Season: Place the dried bread cubes into a large mixing bowl. Add the sautéed vegetables, dried sage, rosemary, and salt (and black pepper, if using). Toss everything thoroughly to combine.
  4. Moisten: Gradually pour the chicken broth over the bread cubes, tossing gently to ensure they are evenly saturated. Add just enough broth to moisten without making them soggy; you might not need all of it.
  5. Bake: Transfer the seasoned bread cubes to a baking dish or a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading them in a single layer to avoid overlap. For a slightly softer, more stuffing-like texture, cover with foil. For maximum crispness, bake uncovered. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
  6. Crisp & Cool: Remove the foil (if used) and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and wonderfully crispy. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up further as they cool.
  7. Store: Once completely cool, store in an airtight container at room temperature. For best results, consume within 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)

Serving: 2oz,
Calories: 260kcal,
Carbohydrates: 43g,
Protein: 10g,
Fat: 5g,
Saturated Fat: 2g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g,
Trans Fat: 0.1g,
Cholesterol: 4mg,
Sodium: 571mg,
Potassium: 152mg,
Fiber: 4g,
Sugar: 6g,
Vitamin A: 89IU,
Vitamin C: 1mg,
Calcium: 116mg,
Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Additional Information

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Salad Topping
Cuisine: American, European