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    Home » snack

    4 Ingredient Garlic Butter Croutons

    Published: Aug 19, 2021 · Modified: Jul 4, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Garlic butter croutons are one of the best additions to salads, soups, or even as a snack on their own. Their crispy texture and savory garlic flavor make them a perfect addition to whatever you are making!

    Garlic butter croutons are small, crunchy pieces of bread that have been seasoned with garlic and butter. They are a common ingredient in salads, soups, and stews. They can be made from scratch or purchased pre-made at most grocery stores.

    Making Garlic Butter Croutons

    Croutons are little pieces of bread often cut into cubes. The croutons can be seasoned or brushed with butter prior to baking. But they aren't done yet! Now it's time to bake them. Once they are done baking you can use them on salads, in soups or eat them as snacks.

    Jump to:
    • Making Garlic Butter Croutons
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Tips
    • Storing
    • Variations
    • FAQ about making garlic butter croutons
    • Garlic Butter Croutons

    Ingredients

    This is a simple recipe. You will need:

    • Bread
    • Butter
    • Garlic salt
    • Italian seasoning

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Brush each side of the bread generously with melted butter, then slice bread into ½-1 inch slices. Arrange bread on baking sheet, then sprinkle with garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
    • Bake bread at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, then flip the bread and cook an additional 7-10 minutes or until bread is nicely browned. Remove from oven, allow croutons to cool.

    Substitutions

    This garlic butter croutons recipe can be easily adapted for any dietary needs or restrictions. Here are some simple substitutions you can make:

    • Gluten free: If you are wanting to make your croutons gluten free, use gluten free bread.
    • Dairy free/Vegan: Substitute plant based butter or dairy free butter in place of the butter.

    Tips

    Choosing the right bread for making your croutons comes down to a few simple tips:

    • Stale Bread: Day-old or slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the butter and flavors without becoming too soggy.
    • Bread Types: French, Italian, and sourdough are excellent choices for their firm texture and flavor. If you are using gluten free bread, Schar has a nice sourdough taste and is one of my favorites to use.

    Storing

    Store your croutons in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade croutons can last up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. Reheat croutons in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes to restore their crispiness.

    a photo of a brown and white dog looking longingly at a plate of homemade croutons.

    Variations

    Why not try some of these fun variations?

    • Herbs: Add dried or fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the garlic butter mixture for extra flavor.
    • Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or Romano cheese over the croutons before baking for a cheesy twist.
    • Spices: For a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the garlic butter mixture.

    FAQ about making garlic butter croutons

    Can I use pre-sliced sandwich bread?

    Yes, you can use pre-sliced sandwich bread, but the texture may be softer. For best results, use a firmer bread like French or Italian.

    What can I do with leftover croutons?

    Aside from salads and soups, use croutons as a topping for casseroles, a crunchy layer in baked dishes, or grind them up for breadcrumbs.

    How do I prevent croutons from becoming too hard?

    Ensure you don’t overbake them. They should be golden brown and crispy but not too hard. Allowing them to cool completely before storing helps maintain the right texture.

    Garlic butter croutons are small, crunchy pieces of bread that have been seasoned with garlic and butter. They are a common ingredient in salads, soups, and stews. They can be made from scratch or purchased pre-made at most grocery stores.

    Garlic Butter Croutons

    Traci Wennerholm
    Transform any salad or soup with the irresistible crunch of homemade garlic butter croutons. Easy to make with pantry staples, these golden croutons deliver big on flavor!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 52 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 whole bread slices
    • 4 tablespoons butter melted
    • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Generously brush both sides of the bread with melted butter, then slice it into ½ to 1-inch pieces.
    • Arrange the bread slices on the prepared baking sheet, and sprinkle them with garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, then flip the bread slices and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the bread is nicely browned.
    • Remove from the oven and break the bread into croutons, then allow the croutons to cool before serving.

    Notes

    Read notes in post for instructions on storing and substitutions for dietary needs and preferences. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 52kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 0.1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 338mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.04gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword bread croutons, croutons recipe, garlic butter croutons, homemade croutons
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    1. Rich

      September 30, 2023 at 1:15 am

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