Homemade Croutons
Homemade Croutons (Easy Garlic Parmesan Recipe)
If you’ve never made homemade croutons before, you’re about to be obsessed. These crispy, golden bites are packed with buttery garlic flavor, perfectly seasoned, and finished with freshly grated parmesan for the ultimate upgrade to any salad or soup.
Using thick-cut Texas toast gives these croutons the perfect texture—crispy on the outside with a slight softness inside. Once you try them homemade, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, golden, and full of flavor
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect way to use up bread
- Better than store-bought croutons
- Ready in under 20 minutes
Ingredients
- Texas toast (thick sliced bread)
- Olive oil
- Butter, melted
- Garlic salt
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Prep the Bread
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Slice Texas toast into bite-sized crouton cubes using a sharp knife.
2. Season
Place the bread cubes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil and melted butter, then toss to coat evenly.
Sprinkle with garlic salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Toss again to distribute seasoning.
3. Bake
Spread croutons into a single layer.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
4. Cool & Serve
Remove from oven and let cool slightly—they’ll crisp up even more as they sit.
Serve on salads, soups, or enjoy as a snack.
Jennie’s Thoughts
These are one of those little recipes that just make everything feel elevated. I love keeping a batch on hand because they instantly make a simple salad feel like something special.
Using Texas toast is my favorite trick—it gives you those big, bakery-style croutons with the perfect crunch. And the combination of butter, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan is just unbeatable. Honestly, I’ve caught myself snacking on these straight off the pan more times than I can count.
If you have extra bread sitting around, this is 100% what you should make.
Tips for the Best Croutons
- Use thick bread like Texas toast for the best texture
- Don’t skip the butter—it adds rich flavor
- Toss well so every piece is evenly coated
- Flip halfway through baking for even crispiness
- Add parmesan after baking for a stronger cheesy flavor
Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- If they soften, re-crisp in the oven for a few minutes
Serving Ideas
- Caesar salad
- Tomato soup
- Pasta salads
- As a crunchy snack
Once you see how easy it is to make homemade croutons, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought kind. They’re simple, flavorful, and add the perfect crunch to just about anything.
Whether you’re topping a fresh salad or enjoying them straight from the pan, these croutons are a small upgrade that makes a big difference. Don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you expected!
