• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Marin Mama Cooks

Tasty foods for families

  • home
  • Recipes
    • Recipes Index
    • beverages
    • breakfast
    • lunch
    • after school snacks
    • dinner
      • burgers & patties
      • chicken
      • meats
      • meatless meals
      • Mexican
      • Pastas
      • pizza
      • seafood
    • side dishes
      • breads and grains
      • popovers
      • potatoes
      • salsas
      • sauces
      • veggie burgers and patties
      • Veggies
    • Desserts
      • brownies and bars
      • cakes and cupcakes
      • chocolate
      • Cookies
      • pies and tarts
    • meatless meals
    • salads
    • dressings
    • Soups
    • smoothies & juices
    • family favorites
    • most popular recipes
    • weeknight dinners
    • kale
    • Quinoa
    • weekly dinner menu
  • how to
  • random
  • videos
  • about me
  • work with me

how to make homemade croutons

August 4, 2015 by Marin Mama 4 Comments

how to make homemade croutonsFor me it’s the little things that stand out and make a recipe pop, like these homemade croutons. Every time I toss these bad boys into a salad or soup, I always get compliments on how amazing the croutons are. Yes, something so simple as homemade croutons can make a recipe go from great to outstanding! They truly beat out any store-bought variety, and are a great way to use up any leftover bread you have lying around.

Homemade croutons take roughly 15 minutes to make from start to finish, and require 4 simple pantry ingredients that I know you all have in your house; bread, salt, pepper and olive oil, so there are no excuses for not making a batch up.

My kids get super excited when I make these up. Seriously, I find my kids sneaking into the kitchen and stealing hot croutons off the baking sheet and devouring them. They love them so much that sometimes I make up a batch for them to snack on. I know, you’re scratching your head and thinking to yourselves, “croutons as a snack?”  Well, I say, yes, why not?how to make homemade croutons

how to make homemade croutons:

makes roughly 25-30 croutons

  • 2 slices country-style bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes – you can really use any sort of bread for the croutons, and even a sliced bread like Dave’s killer bread
  • 5-6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil – the amount of olive oil you use depends on the size and thickness of your bread cubes 
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • pinch of freshly ground pepper – I don’t measure out my pepper, I just twist the pepper grinder a few times and call it a day! 
  • If making the croutons for a salad then be sure to add in 2 cloves of minced garlic

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.

I love this below bread from Della Fattoria. If  you live in Marin, you can find this bread at Whole Foods or you can even visit their cafe in Petaluma!  I haven’t done that yet, but it’s on my to-do list!

Slice your bread into 2 thick slices. It’s really up to you on how thick you want the slices of bread! We like our croutons big, so we slice them pretty thick.  Make sure to keep the crust on, as it adds so much flavor and texture to the croutons.

della fattoria breadWe also love using 2 slices of Dave’s Killer Bread for our croutons, specially when I’m topping them on my kid friendly caesar salad. homemade croutons using Dave's Killer BreadCut the slices into 1/2-inch cubes. This is really personal preference, you can cut the cubes as big or small as you want, just make sure they are roughly even-sized. 

In a medium bowl, add the 5-6 teaspoons olive oil, salt and pepper, and stir to combine.  Note: If you’re making the croutons for a salad, then be sure to add the 2 cloves of minced garlic to the olive oil mixture.

If you’re using thicker sliced bread like I used, then 6 teaspoons of olive oil is perfect. You want to make sure that the bread cubes are all evenly covered with the olive oil mixture. 
bread cut up into cubesToss in the bread cubes and mix with your hands to combine. Make sure to get all of the bread cubes evenly coated with the olive oil mixture.

bread cubes tossed with olive oil, salt and pepperSpread the bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.bread cubes on baking sheetSet your timer and bake the croutons for 6-7 minutes (I would check them at 6 minutes the first time to see how quickly they bake up in your oven) and then check the croutons, if the bottoms are browned, then flip over the croutons and bake for another 6-7 minutes, or until the croutons are browned and crisp to your liking.

NOTE:  If you’re using a thinner bread, like a sliced sandwich bread, then check your croutons at the 5-minute mark, as sliced sandwich bread cooks much quicker than a loaf bread.  

Total baking time for me is usually 14 minutes.  oven baked homemade croutonsBelow are some baked croutons using Dave’s Killer Bread!baked croutons using Dave's Killer BreadLet the croutons cool on the baking sheet for a bit. Watch out for sneaky kids, as my kids always sneak into the kitchen and steal a crouton or two as they’re cooling off.

Storing the croutons: The croutons will stay fresh in a sealed container for about 2-3 days.

how to make homemade croutonsTop them on your favorite soup, or toss them into any salad.

These croutons make my kid friendly caesar salad the bomb, especially when I’ve used minced garlic in the olive oil mixture.
kid friendly caesar saladI love them topped on my heirloom tomato gazpacho as well as my…

heirloom tomato gazpachoCarrot ginger soup.

carrot ginger soup with homemade croutons

5 from 1 reviews
how to make homemade croutons
 
Save Print
Prep time
2 mins
Cook time
14 mins
Total time
16 mins
 
Homemade croutons are the bomb and add a pop of flavor and texture to any soup or salad. They only take 15 minutes to make from start to finish and require 4 simple pantry ingredients; bread, salt, pepper and olive oil. Easy peasy!
Author: Marin mama cooks
Recipe type: how to
Serves: 25-30 croutons
Ingredients
  • 2 slices country-style bread, cut into ½ inch cubes - you can really use any sort of bread for the croutons, and even a sliced bread like Dave's killer bread
  • 5-6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil - the amount of olive oil you use depends on the size and thickness of your bread cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • pinch of freshly ground pepper - I don't measure out my pepper, I just twist the pepper grinder a few times and call it a day!
  • If making the croutons for a salad then be sure to add in 2 cloves of minced garlic
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Slice your bread into 2 thick slices. It's really up to you on how thick you want the slices of bread! We like our croutons big, so we slice them pretty thick. Make sure to keep the crust on, as it adds so much flavor and texture to the croutons.
  3. Cut the slices into ½-inch cubes. This is really personal preference, you can cut the cubes as big or small as you want, just make sure they are roughly even-sized.
  4. In a medium bowl, add the 5-6 teaspoons olive oil, salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Note: If you're making the croutons for a salad, then be sure to add the 2 cloves of minced garlic to the olive oil mixture. If you're using thicker sliced bread like I used, then 6 teaspoons of olive oil is perfect. You want to make sure that the bread cubes are all evenly covered with the olive oil mixture.
  5. Toss in the bread cubes and mix with your hands to combine. Make sure to get all of the bread cubes evenly coated with the olive oil mixture.
  6. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
  7. Set your timer and bake the croutons for 6-7 minutes (I would check them at 6 minutes the first time to see how quickly they bake up in your oven) and then check the croutons, if the bottoms are browned, then flip over the croutons and bake for another 6-7 minutes, or until the croutons are browned and crisp to your liking. Total baking time for me is usually 14 minutes.
  8. NOTE: If you're using a thinner bread, like a sliced sandwich bread, then check your croutons at the 5-minute mark, as sliced sandwich bread cooks much quicker than a loaf bread.
  9. Let the croutons cool on the baking sheet for a bit.
  10. Top them on your favorite soup, or toss them into any salad.
  11. Storing the croutons: The croutons will stay fresh in a sealed container for about 2-3 days.
3.3.3077

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

if you liked this recipe...

  • gluten-free dairy-free lemon olive oil pound cakegluten-free dairy-free lemon olive oil pound cake
  • the best lemon vinaigrettethe best lemon vinaigrette
  • crispy roasted chickpeas with rosemary and lemon zestcrispy roasted chickpeas with rosemary and lemon zest
  • overnight refrigerator oats with almond butter and cacao nibsovernight refrigerator oats with almond butter and cacao nibs
  • Facebook0
  • Google+0
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest0
  • Email
0

Filed Under: breads and grains, how to, salads, Soups Tagged With: breads, how to

Previous Post: « heirloom tomato gazpacho
Next Post: gluten-free healthy cookie bites »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Margot says

    August 5, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    It’s true that the little things definitely elevate a recipe. I ran out of packaged breadcrumbs a while ago, so I made some and the recipe I was making was more delicious than usual. If you go to the Della Fattoria cafe, get a piece of foccaccia – so good!

    Reply
    • Marin Mama says

      August 5, 2015 at 10:57 pm

      Hi Margot! I know, it’s really the little things that can make a recipe go from good to great. A reader just told me to add rosemary to the croutons next time, so I’m totally going to do that! So cool to hear that you visited the cafe. I may take the kids there next week to check it out and we will be sure to try the focaccia! Thanks for the suggestion!
      Have a great night Margot! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply
  2. Kathy C says

    August 5, 2015 at 6:19 am

    I’ve been making my croutons in the toaster oven. Summer LA heat and the hot oven don’t mix well! 😉 Snacking croutons rock!!!

    Reply
    • Marin Mama says

      August 5, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      Hi Kathy! Yes, I’m sure if it’s hot up here, then its gotta be hotter down there. Toaster oven is the way to go! I was actually in LA 2 weekends ago and it was gorgeous. We went surfing and I didn’t need my wetsuit 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

say something to Marin mama... Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Jacquelyn-Grandycircle

Hi! Welcome to Marin mama cooks! My name is Jackie Reale! I'm a natural chef, creator and manifestor. I showcase healthy recipes for the everyday cook.About Me...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Don’t miss a new recipe!

Search Marin Mama cooks…

most popular posts

favorite turkey burgers
oven roasted sweet potato halves
beet, carrot, apple and ginger juice - no juicer required
roasted whole beets without foil
How to de-stem and thinly slice kale
easy skillet chicken parmesan

how to make my lacinato kale salad

how to make perfect popovers

Marin mama on Instagram

marinmamacooks

Jackie Reale | Marinmamacooks
Overnight vegan, GF, DF refrigerator oats with chi Overnight vegan, GF, DF refrigerator oats with chia, almond butter and strawberries! This is such an easy grab-and-go breakfast! Also takes 5 minutes to make!
1/2 cup alternative milk of choice, I use almond or walnut milk 
1 TBL chia seeds
1/4 cup GF steel cut or rolled oats
2 TBL unsweetened shredded coconut 
1 TBL almond butter
1 TBL maple syrup - feel free to add more if you like things sweeter, or you can add 1 tsp vanilla on top of the maple syrup 
Pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt
Optional - Pinch of cinnamon 
2-3 strawberries cut into small pieces
Put above ingredients into a small glass jar, stir to combine everything, cover and refrigerate overnight! Enjoy cold, or pop in the microwave for 1 minute. Give a good stir before consuming. #overnightoats #overnightoatsrecipe #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreebreakfast #veganbreakfast #quickandeasybreakfast #quickandeasyfood #healthyrecipes
New blog post! I’m going to be introducing a ser New blog post! I’m going to be introducing a series on the blog called, Recipes for Life. I’m not exactly sure what it truly is, or where it’s going to evolve to, but I do know that it’s going to be a place for me to journal my thoughts, share insights and to connect with you all on a new level.  I’ve been hearing the whispers to share in this way for a while, but I’ve been procrastinating and holding back, because I was waiting for the perfect message to put in a post, but I’ve learned that there is no perfect message, or perfect time to start anything new, there will always be an excuse and there will always be a self-created obstacle. Sometimes you just have to just start with a first draff, and get those words out as they are today, and trust that someone needs to hear those words, or message at this specific point in time. So that’s what I’m doing, I’m starting out in draft form and taking the first step. Check out the full post at marinmamacooks.com, or go to my insta profile for the link. #marinmamacooks #trusttheprocess #recipesforlife
New post! Easy oven roasted potatoes! Potatoes are New post! Easy oven roasted potatoes! Potatoes are in season, so I’m taking advantage of it. These roasted potatoes are family approved and loved, and make the perfect side dish, as they pair with just about anything. They also take under 30 minutes to roast up to crispy, browned perfection.  No need to pre-soak or boil these bad boys to get them browned and crispy, the cast iron skillet and broiler create the magic. Oh, don’t skip the red onion, as it adds a bacon-like flavor to the potatoes. Get the recipe by going to marinmamacooks.com or to my insta page for the link. #vegansides #vegansidedish #crispypotatoes #ovenroastedpotatoes #roastedpotatoes #fingerlingpotatoes #sidedishrecipes #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreevegan
New post! Roasted red peppers! If you’re looking New post! Roasted red peppers! If you’re looking for ways to incorporate more veggies into your diet, then these roasted red peppers make it easy, as they are jam packed full of flavor! Roasting them with a bit of avocado oil and some Celtic sea salt adds a sweet smokey depth of flavor that’s hard to describe in words. These roasted peppers will be your new go-to, as they literally take no time to prep and bake up! They’re a great stand alone healthy snack, or make a stellar side dish that pairs with just about anything!  I make these at least 4-5 times a week, (if not more) as I use them in just about EVERYTHING. Click on the slides to see step-by-step photos and the recipe is below! 
INGREDIENTS:
*3 red, yellow or orange bell peppers, sliced into thin strips
*roughly 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
*few pinches of fine Celtic sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Wash pepper, and holding from the top near the stem, slice the pepper straight down each side to form 4-6 big pieces. This keeps the seeds and ribs intact in the center and not all over your counter.

Slice the big pieces of pepper into thin slices.

Toss sliced peppers onto the baking sheet, drizzle them with avocado oil and a few pinches of sea salt, and mix them all together. 

Roast the peppers in the preheated oven for roughly 12-15 minutes, giving them a toss with some tongs around the 10 minute mark, until tender and slightly charred on the skins.
Eat them straight off the baking sheet, or let cool and store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Check out the full post to see some things you can pair these bad boys with! 
marinmamacooks.com.
Craving something salty and savory? Then you have Craving something salty and savory? Then you have to make these toasted, salted almonds! They are the BOMB and take no time to whip up! They’re super addicting, so you may find yourself sneaking back for more! They are teenager approved too! (see last photo) Recipe below plus step by step photos! 
•1 TBL olive oil 
•1/2 to 3/4 cup raw unsalted almonds 
•pink Himalayan sea salt to taste 
Instructions: 
Add 1 TBL olive oil to a skillet.
Set it over medium-low heat
Add almonds and stir to coat in the oil
keep an eye on them and stir occasionally until toasted brown 
Slide toasted almonds onto a paper towel lined plate to catch excess oil
Liberally sprinkle almonds with pink Himalayan sea salt! 
Let almonds cool for a bit.
Pour into a bowl and enjoy! 😋
New post! Oven baked forbidden black rice! This ov New post! Oven baked forbidden black rice! This oven baked forbidden black rice is my latest obsession! It’s SO easy to make, and comes out perfectly every time! It has an amazingly sweet, nutty and buttery flavor and this amazing chewy texture! It’s also naturally gluten-free and chock full of nutrients! YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS TODAY! You can link to the recipe in my insta profile. #forbiddenblackrice #blackrice #howtocookrice #glutenfreerecipes #ovenbakedrice #lotusfoods #kettleandfire #bonebroth #rice
New blog post! Gluten-free, dairy-free lemon 🍋 New blog post! Gluten-free, dairy-free lemon 🍋 olive oil pound cake! This cake is ultra-lemony, super moist and chock full of flavor! Once you start with one slice you won’t be able to stop! 🛑 go to my Instagram profile to find the link to the recipe! I hope you all love ❤️ it as much as we do!  #glutenfree #dairyfree #glutenfreedairyfree #glutenfreecake #dairyfreecake #lemoncake #lemonoliveoilcake #glutenfreedairyfreecake #glutenfreerecipes
New blog post! Vegan Brussels sprouts salad! Move New blog post! Vegan Brussels sprouts salad! Move over mixed greens and kale, there’s a new salad green in town, Brussels sprouts! This salad will be your go-to fall and winter salad, and is the perfect salad to bring to any upcoming holiday potluck!  It’s vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free!  I’m addicted to this salad and I hope you will be too! Click on the link in my profile for the recipe, or go to my website, marinmamacooks.com. #veganrecipes #vegansalad #dairyfreesalad #dairyfree #dairyfreerecipes #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreerecipe #holidayrecipes
New post on the blog! If you were to ask me what New post on the blog!  If you were to ask me what recipe I make the most often, it would be this lemon vinaigrette! This is honestly the best and simplest vinaigrette and is my go-to for everything! It doesn’t have any added sugars or other random ingredients that you can’t pronounce. Try it today and let me know what you think! Get the recipe by clicking on the link in my insta profile. #saladdressing #vinaigrette #saladdressingrecipe #salad #vinaigrettes
New post at Marin Mama Cooks! Baked lemon 🍋 chi New post at Marin Mama Cooks! Baked lemon 🍋 chicken breasts! These are DAMN good and a family favorite! They pair perfectly with just about anything! Go over to the blog and check out the recipe! This is the first of many recipes! Yay!! You can find the link at my Insta profile. #chicken #chickenrecipes #weeknightdinner #winnerwinnerchickendinner
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Footer

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT