Crusty Croutons Recipes

BEST CROUTONS EVER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
• Cut each bread slice into 16 cubes; add bread cubes and garlic powder to melted butter. Stir to coat. Transfer coated bread cubes to the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes.

EASY CRUNCHY GARLIC CROUTONS RECIPE

Steps:

• In a small sauce pan, combine: 2 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1 Tbsp chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat over medium heat until butter is melted. Stir to combine then set aside and let the flavors infuse into the oil while you chop your bread.
• Cut your bread into 3/4" cubes. For goodness sake, don't remove the crust! It adds variety and great crunch to these croutons. Transfer to large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle the seasoned olive oil over your chopped bread and toss until bread crumbs have an even coating of oil.
• Spread the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 375˚F for
• -20 minutes until they are golden brown and crunchy. (mine took 20 min)
• Serve these up with your favorite green salad.

CRUSTY CHEWY SOURDOUGH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, tear or cut a loaf of sourdough bread into 2-inch chunks.
• Drizzle about 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 minced cloves of garlic over the bread. Season with 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 tablespoon of pepper.
• Toss the bread to evenly coat and adjust seasonings to your liking.
• On a baking sheet, spread bread chunks in a single layer and bake until the croutons are golden on the outside, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy in your favorite salad!

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• Stir olive oil and garlic together in a bowl. Let sit at room temperature until flavors are infused, about 3 hours.
• Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour garlic oil through a strainer onto the bread; toss to coat bread with oil. Add 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper; toss to coat. Spread bread cubes out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn croutons and bake 15 minutes more. Push croutons together with a spatula so that they are in a compact rectangle on the baking sheet and no longer spread out; sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese over the top. Bake until cheese is melted and the bread is crispy and crunchy, 10 to 15 minutes more.

CAESAR SALAD WITH "CRUSTY" CROUTONS

Steps:

• Put 1/4 cup of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and heat until hot but not smoking. Add 1/4 cup of the cheese to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Brush a work surface with a little oil and press the dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Cut the dough into thin strips, about 1/4-inch wide. When the oil is hot, using kitchen scissors, carefully hold the dough strips, 2 at a time, over the pan and snip off 1/4-inch pieces, letting them gently fall into the hot oil (this may take several batches). Shallow-fry the dough pieces, tossing frequently with a slotted spoon, Chinese strainer or tongs, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the croutons to the bowl with the cheese and toss to coat. Continue frying and dredging the dough in the cheese until all the dough is used.
• When ready to serve, add the romaine to a large bowl, drizzle with lemon juice and add the remaining 1/4 cup oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste and toss well to evenly coat the lettuce. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and the croutons and toss well until combined.
• Transfer to a serving platter and top with additional cheese, if desired.

CRUSTY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Slice bread into 1-inch thick slices. Stack several slices and cut slices into 1-inch bars, then cut bars crosswise into 1-inch cubes. Repeat with remaining slices. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium low heat. Add bread cubes and stir around well. Let cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden, about 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly and add to salad while tossing.

CRUNCHY RANCH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Cut crust from bread and discard the crust.
• Brush both sides of each slice of bread with olive oil, melted butter or margarine.
• Slice bread into 1/2-inch strips; turn and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Optional:.
• Place bread cubes in a plastic zipper bag; sprinkle with dry salad dressing mix to act as dry seasoning. Securely seal bag and shake, coating bread cubes with dry salad dressing mix.
• Spread cubes flat on baking sheet. Preheat oven to 325°F Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet.
• Note: For bigger croutons, use "Texas Toast" style bread and slice into larger 3/4-inch cubes.