These are the best croutons you’ll ever enjoy or make! Homemade bakery bread croutons made with just a few ingredients, including bakery-style bread! Baked with a crunchy outside and soft center. These croutons can be made in the air fryer or the oven!
If you love this recipe, check out my Lobster and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Apple Strawberry Cabbage Slaw with Candied Pecans, and this Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette recipe.
Let’s talk about these homemade bakery bread croutons…
I frequent a fast-casual restaurant from time to time called Newk’s Eatery. I’m undeniably obsessed with their salads. One of the things that make their salads so amazing is the croutons. In addition, they are made in-house and every now and then I’ll get a piece that has a softer center. It reminds me of having Texas toast with my salad or croutons made with bread straight from the bakery.
One day, I ran out of croutons AFTER I had already made my salad. Of course, I could have enjoyed my salad without croutons, but that’s boring and I’m not in denial. *laughs* I’m just not built like that, especially when it comes to certain salads. They DESERVE croutons!
Make it Do what it Do!
One day, all I had left was half a loaf of Sara Lee Artesano™ Bakery Bread, and because of that, I made it happen. By the way, I’m obsessed with this bread! After making my bakery-style croutons, I realized they were reminiscent of the croutons from Newk’s! After that, my croutons have seriously been a hit ever since. I knew I would not go back to store-bought croutons (if I could help it), and I meant it!
What you will need to make bakery bread croutons:
Sara Lee Artesano™ Bakery Bread: This bread is absolutely divine! It has a buttery, pillow-soft taste and texture and when baked, it has a crunchy outside with a softer center with each bite. In addition, if you like croutons super crunchy, you also have that option. If you like Texas-style toast on the side with your salad, these croutons remind you of that. YES, those vibes!
Italian Seasoning: Gimme all the herbs! Spices like basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, etc. give a classic crouton taste.
Garlic Pepper: You may know by now how much I love garlic pepper seasoning. It’s like an elevated black pepper and I can’t get enough!
Olive Oil: Use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for these croutons olive oil is a healthy oil that improves the nutritional value as well.
The Preparation
First, I cut up my croutons into rough pieces. I like to cut them into different shapes and sizes. Additionally, I drizzle olive oil and other seasonings over the croutons. It’s that simple. My go-to seasonings right now are Italian and garlic pepper—or whatever I’m feeling that day. Bake them in the oven for 7-10 minutes, shaking the pan to move them around about halfway through, and that’s it! With this in mind, a loaf lasts about two weeks in my household between salads, snacking, and maybe an occasional meal where I may use them for breadcrumbs when I make crunchier croutons.
Croutons made in the air fryer.
Absolutely, yes! You will prepare them the same way as you would for the oven, just make sure they are in a single layer on your air fryer rack. Preheat the air fryer then air fry the croutons between 375-390 F degrees. Just so you know, I have this Ninja Foodi air fryer and sometimes it takes less than 10 minutes depending on how crunchy or no-so-crunchy I want my croutons. Be sure to keep an eye out because they cook fast! and remember that appliances may vary.
Ways to Use Homemade Croutons and Recipe Ideas:
Salads: Top your favorite salad with homemade croutons!
Soup/Chili: Add them on top of your soup or chili if that’s your jam.
Stuffing: If you like making stuffing for various dishes, you can skip the prepackaged mix and make your own using homemade croutons.
Breadcrumbs: Homemade croutons are pulsed into breadcrumbs and used as an extender in recipes from casseroles to patties. Like these Crispy Salmon Croquettes.
Snacking: Croutons as a snack? Why, yes! They are delicious as a snack, although I normally add them to salads.
Stuffed Mushrooms: Many people use croutons as “stuffing” for stuffed mushrooms. Here is my absolute favorite Lobster and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms recipe here.
Don’t throw away that stale bread! Use it or lose it.
In the event that your bread starts to go stale, that’s a great time to make croutons. In this case, instead of tossing your stale bread, you can use your leftover slices to make croutons. Don’t worry about those two end pieces, because you can cut those up and use them too.
Do I have to use Bakery-Style Bread?
Absolutely not. Use your favorite bread of choice follow the same steps and enjoy!This bread is absolutely divine when made into croutons. Also, another favorite bread I like to use is Bakery-Style Brioche or White bread.
Storage
It’s best to store croutons in an air-tight container like these. In addition, you can use a storage bag. I would only use plastic bags if you plan on eating them the next day or if you’re packing lunch for the day.
Shop these items to make your own bakery-style croutons:
- Bread (you can find this bread at your local grocery store)
- Chopper/Scraper – I use this chopper when I make my croutons, but you can also use a bread knife.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Garlic Pepper – or this one
- Italian Seasoning
- Storage Containers
Other Salad Recipes to Enjoy!
Kale Celebration Salad with Vegetables and Walnuts
Apple Strawberry Cabbage Slaw with Candied Pecans
I am obsessed with these Homemade Bakery Bread Croutons and I hope you enjoy them too! If you make this recipe, please leave astar rating as well as a comment. Also, tag me (@myprettybrown) and use the hashtag #myprettybrowneats. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, PINTEREST, and TikTok.
The Best Homemade Croutons Made with Bakery-Style Bread
Ingredients
- 15 slices Sara Lee Artesano™ Bread or bread of choice
- 2-3 tablespoons high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 390 to 400 ℉.
- Stack and cut 3 to 4 slices of bread into approximately 9-12 rough pieces/chunks or even squares (per slice). Grab another set of slices, and repeat.
- Grab a large mixing bowl, add croutons then drizzle with olive oil to coat.
- Next, sprinkle Italian and garlic pepper seasoning.
- Toss croutons around to ensure they are all coated with seasonings and oil. You can also let your pieces sit a few minutes to allow the bread to soak up the oil and seasonings.
- Bake croutons in the oven for 7-10 minutes, tossing them about halfway through. ***Bake to your desired texture – I prefer my croutons with soft center and a crunchy exterior. *See notes for air fryer instructions.
- Serve on top your favorite salad—and enjoy!
Wait a minute now! That Sara Lee Artesano is brioche-style, I know these gotta be awesome. Now I want a salad, arrrrggggh!
Looks great Ma’am, keep these coming.