Learn how to make Croutons using leftover bread. Simple and delicious oven baked cubes of bread tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with grated cheese.
What do you do with leftover bread?
There's no reason to waste bread that is a few days old and looking a little dry. Instead, make deliciously tasting oven baked croutons for soups. You can also serve croutons with salads or as a side dish. They are the perfect snack to eat while watching tv.
They are the easiest thing to make and you can flavour them whatever takes your fancy. Or keep them plain and simple if you are counting the calories.
Ingredients You Will Need
A full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found on the recipe card below. Before you scroll, it's worth reading the blurb in case you miss anything.
Bread - White or brown, any bread will do. Ideally at least a day or two old.
Olive Oil - Or any vegetable oil will do. Melted butter will also be fine.
Seasoning - I prefer to use Sea Salt and cracked black pepper. But you can use any seasoning that takes your fancy.
Cheese - Any cheese is fine. I use grated Parmesan cheese purely because of the flavour.
Get creative with your Croutons.
Try sprinkling the cubes of bread with other seasonings such as garlic powder or Garlic salt, or a mix of chopped herbs. Or whatever takes your fancy.
Make a large enough batch to eat some now and freeze the rest for later.
How to Make Croutons
Preheat the oven to 200g conventional oven.
Whatever bread you have, day-old bread is often best, cut into thick slices before cutting into cubes. Spread the cubes out onto a baking tray or baking sheet and toss in oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper followed by grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the centre of the oven for about 10 mins. Or until the cheese has melted and the croutons are crispy on the outside.
TIP: Set the oven timer as Croutons can over bake very quickly.
Tips and FAQ'S for making Croutons
Freezing - You can freeze the cubes of bread on their own in a freezer bag and oven bake them later with the oil, seasoning and cheese.
Use in salads, as a side dish, add to soups or as a snack while watching tv.
Homemade croutons will keep fresh in the fridge for up to a couple of weeks if wrapped well. They are ideal for freezing after baking.
If you don't want to make croutons now, freeze the bread for later. Cut them up into cubes first. When the time comes to bake them, toss the bread cubes in oil, season and sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in the oven as per the recipe.
Other Side Dishes and Snacks Recipes
Hasselback Potatoes Recipe - An ideal side dish to serve with a midweek meal.
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How to Make Croutons
Equipment
- Baking tray or baking sheet
Ingredients - Imperial /oz are approx weights which are calculated by a 3rd party app
- 3 slices of Bread, White or Brown use more slices if you wish
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Seasoning such as sea salt and cracked black pepper
- 25 g Cheese Any cheese is fine. I use grated Parmesan cheese purely because of the flavour.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200g conventional oven.
- Whatever bread you have, day-old bread is often best, cut into thick slices before cutting into cubes.
- Spread the cubes out onto a baking tray or baking sheet and toss in oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper followed by grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the centre of the oven for about 10 mins. Or until the cheese has melted and the croutons are golden and crispy on the outside.
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