Croutons made from cutting bread into small pieces and toasting them to become crispy. They come in many types and flavors. Some popular bread varieties used for croutons include Texas toast, French bread, ciabatta and focaccia.
There are different flavors of croutons available. For example, Texas Toast Croutons come in garlic butter and cheese garlic flavors. Additionally, the brand Fresh Gourmet offers various flavors like Cheese & Garlic, Country Ranch, Garden Herb, Italian Seasoned, Butter & Garlic, and Classic Caesar.
The textures of these are also different. They are known for being crunchy due to being toasted. Furthermore, many croutons contain seasonings and herbs added to them like garlic, butter, cheese, ranch, herbs or Italian seasonings.
Homemade Croutons Ingredients
To begin, you will need bread, olive oil, and some common dried seasonings such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How To Make Homemade Croutons
Firstly, cut the bread into 1-inch cubes, using any type but preferring crusty breads like French, Italian or sourdough for optimal texture. ThenToss the bread cubes into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil while sprinkling on the seasonings.
Once combined, evenly spread the seasoned bread pieces onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Subsequently, place the sheet in a preheated 375°F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Additionally, flipping the croutons halfway will help ensure even crisping.
Finally, the croutons are ready when they are lightly golden brown throughout. Removing and allowing to cool fully results in crisp morsels perfect for taking salads, soups, stuffing and more to the next level.
What Goes Well With
Croutons pair nicely with soups as they soak up broth, ensuring each spoonful contains both liquid and bread. Another popular pairing is pasta dishes – croutons add an extra layer of flavor whether topping baked ziti, mixed into pasta salad or sprinkled on noodles. The seasonings on this also match certain foods; for instance, garlic and herb varieties suit robust flavors in chicken soup or pasta salad, while butter and garlic pair well with milder fare like garden salads or creamy chowders. In short, it can enhance many mains and sides due to their variety of flavors and ability to complement both simple and complex foods.