• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Chickens and Farm Animals
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Podcast
    • Guest Application

Beyond The Chicken Coop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Chickens and Farm Animals
  • Gardening
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Podcast
    • Guest Application
×
Home » Salad » Homemade Garlic Croutons

Published: Apr 11, 2019 · Modified: Jan 28, 2023 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Homemade Garlic Croutons

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe
Croutons with parsley in a roasting pan.

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.

Cubed croutons in a metal baking dish.
Table of Contents
Use up leftover bread
Key ingredients
Steps to make
Recipe tips
Frequently asked questions
Serving suggestions
Homemade Garlic Croutons

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.

Key ingredients

A cube of butter, fresh parsley and a head of garlic.

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

How to make it

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
Cubed bread on a cutting board.
  • 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
Butter, 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

How long do homemade croutons last?

Store croutons in an airtight container and use them within one week.

Can I freeze homemade croutons?

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!

A salad topped with tomatoes and croutons.

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!

  • Avocado Ranch Lime Dressing in a bowl surrounded by fresh veggies.
    Avocado Ranch Lime Dressing
  • Pouring a salad dressing over a salad.
    Asian Salad Dressing
  • Pasta salad with tomatoes and cubes of cheese.
    Easy Pasta Salad
  • A bowl filled with berries, kiwi, and grapes.
    Fruit Salad
A salad topped with tomatoes and croutons.

Homemade Garlic Croutons

Kathy
Crunchy croutons with butter, garlic and parsley.
5 from 25 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups
Calories 70 kcal

Equipment

  • Chef Knife
  • Cookie Sheet
Prevent your screen from going dark

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

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 70kcalCarbohydrates: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 87mgPotassium: 19mgVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword croutons, garlic croutons
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

This post was originally posted in March of 2015. The recipe, photos and post have been updated.

More Salad

  • An orzo pasta salad with onions, olives and peppers.
    Mediterranean Orzo Salad
  • Pasta salad topped with green onions and paprika.
    Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
  • Corn, tomatoes and avocados in a white bowl.
    Avocado Corn Salad
  • Roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa and baby greens in a bowl.
    Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harshad says

    April 21, 2019 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  2. Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says

    April 15, 2019 at 6:57 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    April 12, 2019 at 5:35 am

    5 stars
    Homemade croutons are thes BEST! I could legit eat them as they are for a snack and be quite happy 😉

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 15, 2019 at 5:28 am

      Me too!:)

      Reply
  4. David @ Spiced says

    April 12, 2019 at 4:22 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2019 at 5:33 am

      There are times I have to use fresh bread that I cut up just for croutons. Either way works fine.

      Reply
  5. Alix @A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says

    April 12, 2019 at 2:47 am

    These look so so good! We love making soups so it's always great to have a fabulous crouton recipe on hand. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2019 at 5:32 am

      They are perfect sprinkled on soup.

      Reply
  6. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

    April 12, 2019 at 12:39 am

    5 stars
    Garlic and bread are my two real loves! So I know I will adore this 😉

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 12, 2019 at 5:31 am

      Mine too! I love just nibbling on these croutons all by themselves. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    April 11, 2019 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    Kathy, these croutons look so crunchy and delicious! They really make a salad special!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2019 at 4:36 pm

      It's all about that delicious crunch!

      Reply
  8. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    April 11, 2019 at 8:10 am

    5 stars
    I really dislike store-bought croutons Kathy! Homemade are always the best. Can't wait to try your recipe.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 11, 2019 at 4:35 pm

      I hope you give them a try!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Croutons with parsley in a roasting pan.
The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

More about me →

Christmas Cookies

  • Gingerbread cookies with piped white frosting.
    Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies
  • Cranberry pinwheel cookies piled on a plate.
    Cranberry Orange Cookies
  • A stack of round cookies covered with colorful sprinkles.
    Christmas Sugar Cookies
  • A pile of cookies filled with raspberry jam.
    Raspberry Bow Tie Cookies
  • A plate filled with chocolate cookies topped with crushed peppermint candy.
    Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • Colorful Christmas cookies on a white cake stand.
    Shortbread Christmas Cookies

Popular Recipes

  • A single muffin topped with a crumbly topping on a plate.
    Oatmeal Banana Muffins
  • Stacks of crispy golden fish on a white plate with a blue rim.
    Beer Battered Fish
  • Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
    Pan Fried Walleye
  • A plate with baked pasta with cheese and tomatoes.
    Chicken Pasta Bake

Chicken Dinners

  • Strips of chicken, peppers and onions in a baked casserole.
    Chicken Fajita Casserole
  • Crispy chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
  • A chicken thigh with a sauce on a plate with rice and peas.
    Apricot Chicken
  • A plate filled with chicken legs covered in barbecue sauce.
    Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
  • Grilled chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Italian Dressing Chicken
  • A golden chicken thigh on a white plate with roasted potatoes and green beans.
    Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Featured In...

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

Footer

Croutons with parsley in a roasting pan.

↑ back to top

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Beyond the Chicken Coop LLC ®