I buy bags of croutons and recently wondered why I pay a lot of money for something I could probably make myself. Plus, since croutons are often seasoned, why not add your own favorite spices instead? So I set out to learn how to make croutons. Turns out, it's easy!
Just take some old bread, cut it up into cubes, put the pieces in a large bowl and sprinkle with olive oil and any spices you like. Conventional recipes suggest salt and pepper. I use Old Bay Seasoning. (I did a post on Old Bay Seasoning two years ago; it's delicious!)
Put the seasoned cubes on a tray (I use aluminum foil to ease clean-up) and pop into a pre-heated oven. Fifteen minutes of 400-degree heat. Then let cool.
And they're done! The process couldn't be simpler. The croutons are tasty and cost practically nothing, much better than spending $5 for a bag of bland ones. Warning -- like freshly-baked cookies, homemade croutons right out of the oven smell irresistible; if you start nibbling, you'll lose half a batch before you realize it. They make an amazing snack.
Here are pics of the three-step process for croutons I made tonight...
Mmmmmm crutons. Making salads and soups more interesting every day :) These ones look tasty!
ReplyDeleteYou know what?? Croutons do make salads better. I wish that I ate bread. I miss croutons.
ReplyDeleteHomemade croutons are my favorite! We usually save leftover baguette bread and turn that into croutons. Yum!!
ReplyDeleteI will have to give this a try some day. I like them with my salads but my wife can take them or leave them.
ReplyDeletePat
I never thought to make my own croutons before...because laziness. You make them sound so simple to make and that could be a dangerous thing since I LOVE croutons. Even as a go to snack.
ReplyDeleteYum! I don't usually put croutons on my salads, usually I opt for sunflower seeds as a crunch. But mmm warm homemade croutons sounds l delicious. Knowing myself I'd just eat the croutons!
ReplyDeleteCroutons are a must when I eat salads - they add so much crunch. I've never thought of making them, but now I'm intrigued. It would be fun to play around with different seasonings and different types of bread (multi-grain baguette? walnut cranberry? They all sound good).
ReplyDeleteThey look delicious! I would probably scoff the lot before they had the chance to be added to salad ... xxx
ReplyDeleteI actually kind of forgot croutons exist and I looooooove salad. I think I stopped using them to make my salads more "low carb". Screw it, I want some croutons now.
ReplyDeleteI Love croutons and some Restaurants have this Magical Secret recipe for their homemade ones that I'd love to steal... ummm, I mean borrow... But I'm lazy, I buy mine rather than risking Homemade, which is probably stupid of me, I bet Homemade tastes better than any one could buy in a bag!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, but the croutons would dissapear way too fast in my house!
ReplyDeleteI think they are yummy because they absorb the dressing, I like olive oil amd lemon, and as you say- they add crunch!
Xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
I never thought to make them before but I love crunch in my salad so will have to try making these next time :) thanks for sharing, Ally!
ReplyDeleteFifties housewife here we come! Don't they feel old fashioned to you? In a good way.
ReplyDeleteHowever I am aghast that people buy them and never thought to make them. How far we have come from our roots. I actually didn't realise you could buy them. But then we don't eat them. Although maybe we should.
I tend to use nuts and seeds for interest in salads.
I can just imagine you in your heels and fifties new look dress wielding your long sharp knives whipping up a batch of croutons. Even the name is magical! xo Jazzy Jack
Yup, that's me!
Deleteand if you put cheese on them before baking it turns into pure sin :)
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