by 
Delicious homemade garlic croutons are full of amazing flavor and are a great way to use up leftover bread.
These croutons have crunch and flavor making them perfect for adding to soup or salads.
Use up leftover bread
Garlic croutons can be made with freshly purchased bread or it's a great way to use up bread as it's going just slightly stale. I like to use my homemade bread, but any type of bread works.
Fresh homemade bread doesn't remain fresh for very long. After a couple of days, when it starts to get stale, I save any extra pieces for making croutons. I just throw all the pieces into a gallon freezer bag, put it in the freezer and just keep adding every time I have a piece or two.
When the bag is full, it's time to make croutons! I use slices from my White Whole Wheat Bread that I make regularly. However, you can use any type of bread. Try White sandwich bread, leftover focaccia, french bread, or an artisan style bread.
These crunchy garlicky croutons are perfect for adding to your favorite salad or soup.
The process of making homemade croutons is very similar to making homemade bread cubes for stuffing and homemade breadcrumbs.
Don't want to use your oven? Try these air fryer croutons!
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Bread - Use whatever you have available. A loaf of french bread, sandwich bread or homemade bread. This is a great way to use up any bread that's not quite as fresh as you like.
- Butter - I use salted butter
- Garlic - For this recipe, I use five large cloves of garlic. Feel free to add more if you want extra garlicky flavor.
- Parsley - Fresh is best, but you can use dried if that's all that's available. Other herbs to use include thyme, oregano or chives.
Steps to make
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Cut bread into small cubes
- Place the cubes in a roasting pan and place in the oven to dry. You do need to stir frequently so the ones on the top don't get too dry. I checked them every 10 minutes.
- Melt butter along with chopped parsley and garlic in a saucepan
- When the bread cubes are fully dried, pour the butter mixture over the cubes
- Stir to distribute and return to the oven until nicely toasted
Recipe tips
- Cut bread into any size you desire
- Consistent size pieces dry more evenly
- Stir bread cubes often to make certain the pieces in the center dry too
- Once you've added the butter mixture, taste the croutons. Add a bit of salt and pepper to your liking.
- Croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for one week
Frequently asked questions
Store croutons in an airtight container and use them within one week.
Yes, the croutons can be frozen. If thawed croutons are not crunchy, place in the oven for 5-10 minutes on a cookie sheet.
Serving suggestions
Any green leaf salad is perfect for these croutons. I often use these when making Caesar Salad. These croutons would also be delicious sprinkled on tomato soup!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my salad recipes!
Homemade Garlic Croutons
Equipment
- Chef Knife
- Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Bread (cubed)
- 1 Cup Butter
- 5 Cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 Tablespoons Parsley (fresh )
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Place bread cubes on a cookie sheet or in a large roasting pan.4 Cups Bread
- Dry at a 350°F oven. Stir bread every 10 minutes until almost completely dry.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a sauce pan over low heat. Add garlic. Cook on very low heat for 3-5 minutes. You just want to warm the garlic and release the oils. You will be able to smell the garlic as it warms up. Set aside off heat.1 Cup Butter, 5 Cloves Garlic, 2 Tablespoons Parsley
- When bread is dry, pour butter mixture over dried bread.
- Add a bit salt and pepper.Salt and Pepper to taste
- Stir and return to oven for about 5 minutes until crunchy
- Remove from oven and let cool completely. Store in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Cut bread into any size you desire
- Consistent size pieces dry more evenly
- Stir bread cubes often to make certain the pieces in the center dry too
- If using dried parsley, use 1-2 teaspoons
- Once you've added the butter mixture, taste the croutons. Add a bit of salt and pepper to your liking.
- Croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for one week
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This post was originally posted in March of 2015. The recipe, photos and post have been updated.
Harshad says
Such a simple and tasty Croutons recipe, Kathy!
I enjoy making these easy to make recipes at home, as you get to play with different flavors and ingredients of your choice.
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
I could eat these like potato chips, cant have just one! These look so buttery and I can just imagine them dissolving in my mouth with each bite 🙂 . Take care.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Homemade croutons are thes BEST! I could legit eat them as they are for a snack and be quite happy 😉
Kathy says
Me too!:)
David @ Spiced says
What a great idea to save the ends of loaves of bread! I do love homemade croutons, but I've just used bread that I purposely staled for the purpose. This is a much better route. Homemade croutons can take an average salad to an award-winning salad in seconds! 🙂 Love this recipe, Kathy!
Kathy says
There are times I have to use fresh bread that I cut up just for croutons. Either way works fine.
Alix @A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says
These look so so good! We love making soups so it's always great to have a fabulous crouton recipe on hand. Thank you!
Kathy says
They are perfect sprinkled on soup.
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Garlic and bread are my two real loves! So I know I will adore this 😉
Kathy says
Mine too! I love just nibbling on these croutons all by themselves. 🙂
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, these croutons look so crunchy and delicious! They really make a salad special!
Kathy says
It's all about that delicious crunch!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I really dislike store-bought croutons Kathy! Homemade are always the best. Can't wait to try your recipe.
Kathy says
I hope you give them a try!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum! I eat croutons as a snack rather than in my salads... bad habit 🙂
Kathy says
Ha! I think that's actually a great idea!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
I love croutons in my salad, but sadly my boyfriend HATES them! Oh well, more for me!
Kathy says
I guess he just won't know what he's missing!
Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife says
Yum! I have never made my own croutons. I will be trying these =)
Kathy says
They are simple and delicious!
Mir says
I love homemade croutons! They completely make the salad. These look delicious!
Kathy says
I agree...they add the perfect crunch and flavor booster!
celyn says
great recipe! I've never tried making croutons, thanks for sharing!
styleandchocolates
Kathy says
Thanks, I hope you give these a try!
Kimberly @ KimRidge Farm says
You may not believe it, but I have been making your bread sticks since you posted that recipe a while ago. Like I mentioned in my comment back then, we like bread crust and your bread sticks were just perfect for that. I've been making them ever since and we love them.
Now, I think I made too much of a batch and I have some extra sitting on the counter. I was planning on making croutons out of them to have with homemade tomato soup. But now that you mentioned garlic and butter, I think I am going for it.
Thank you for the recipe and great ideas.
Kimberly
Kathy says
Wow, Kimberly! I'm so pleased that those bread sticks have become a favorite! It's a great idea to use these for the croutons!
Thanks!
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
Homemade croutons are SO much better than store bought and super easy. I've made them hundreds of times using all different flavorings, but never used fresh garlic! They look and sound amazing!
Kathy says
Fresh garlic is really great, but you can use almost anything with these. Adjust the seasoning to match a salad or your personal tastes.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Such a good idea, Kathy! I hate wasting food, but love buy fresh bread from the store. We usually eat about half or a quarter of a loaf with dinner, but then it goes unnoticed on the counter for the rest of the week. I'm looking forward to being able to safe it for some salad toppings now. 🙂
Kathy says
Sounds like perfect bread for making croutons!
Rachelle says
What a clever way to use leftover bread! Homemade croutons are the best and bring on the garlic!
Kathy says
Thanks Rachelle! The more garlic, the better!
Laura says
I love the idea of making my own croutons! And they are so cheap to make. The bagged ones at the store are actually pricy when you consider how easy they are to make and freeze for later. This is a little project I need to get on asap!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Kathy says
You are right...they are so much cheaper. This makes a huge batch and storing in the freezer is a great idea. They will certainly last longer.