It is easy to make your own Fresh Homemade Croutons Recipe to use up bread before it spoils.

Do you ever have bread that you just know is going to go bad if you don’t use it fast? I do especially when I buy a fresh loaf from the bakery or bake my own bread.

I also make my own bread crumbs. Items of convenience such as packaged bread crumbs or croutons are typically a little pricey. You can make your own for a lot less.

One of my favorite breads I pick up at the deli is an Everything Italian Loaf – and I can get it for $1.00. I enjoy slicing it for sandwiches and I use what’s left before I think it will spoil to make croutons. Best thing it’s already seasoned and it already has olive oil on the crust.

All you have to do is cube it and bake it until golden brown. I do this by placing my bread cubes “croutons” on a lined cookie sheet and place into a preheated 325 degree oven. It only takes a few minutes so keep watch.

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Homemade Croutons

Easy homemade baked croutons - frugal tips - money saving ideas

How to Store Homemade Croutons

Once the croutons are browned remove from the oven and let cool down completely. Place the croutons into a storage bag and you’ve got croutons on hand that are delicious and homemade.

How to Make Easy Homemade Croutons

Baking sheet with homemade croutons for salads

Tasty Salad Topping

You can also make croutons out of regular bread that has not been seasoned and you can customize the flavors you enjoy. to do this add your cubed bread to a mixing bowl and drizzle on 3 tbs of olive oil or melted butter and toss. Add your favorite seasonings, herbs and spices then place on a cookie sheet and bake.

Bake until the croutons are crispy and browned as desired.

Let’s make this Fresh Homemade Croutons Recipe!

Baked Seasoned Croutons - homemade ways to use up stale bread - Easy Recipe

4.25 from 8 votes

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Homemade Croutons

Make your own easy homemade croutons so you don’t waste bread before it goes bad

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Servings: Salad Topping

Calories: 59kcal

Author: Julia Jordan | Julia’s Simply Southern

Ingredients

Leftover Bakery Loaf
3 tbs Olive Oil or Melted Butter
Seasonings of Choice Sea Salt, Cracked Pepper, Italian, Garlic Powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Cut leftover bread into cubes and add to a mixing bowl.
Drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the cubed bread and lightly toss to coat.
Season, if desired.
Spread the cubed bread on a sheet pan and bake until the bread has dried and golden brown.
Store homemade croutons in an airtight container or plastic storage bag.

Notes

If using a leftover bakery load that is already seasoned, such as “Everything”, there is no need for additional seasoning.

Plain leftover bread may also be dried and made into bread crumbs for use in recipes.

Nutrition

Try the recipe for No Knead Crusty White Bread from Cooking with Mary and Friends.

Julia - author and publisher of Julia's Simply Southern Food Blog Recipes

About Julia

Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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4.25 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

10 Comments

ghovjnjv says:

January 1, 2024 at 3:39 am

1

ghovjnjv says:

January 1, 2024 at 3:41 am

1

Barbara Miller says:

May 14, 2024 at 10:03 am

How long will the keep when stored properly? I need to start making my own. The processed ones have way to much junk in them. TY for the recipe.

1. Julia Jordan says:
  
  May 15, 2024 at 2:05 pm
  
  Hi Barbara! The homemade croutons last up to two weeks stored in an airtight container or plastic storage bag.

Fresh Homemade Croutons Recipe