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Home » Recipes » Basics and Staples

Homemade Croutons with Sourdough Bread

Last Modified: Oct 2, 2023. Originally Published: Aug 30, 2023 by Janessa.

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Turn your leftover sourdough bread into something spectacular with this homemade sourdough croutons recipe. Using simple ingredients and store-bought or your own homemade sourdough bread, you can create croutons that add so much flavor and texture to soups, salads and more. With this easy recipe in your repertoire and plenty of ways to customize it, you'll never look at store-bought croutons the same.

Jump to:
  • The Ingredients
  • The Method
  • Leftovers and Storage
  • Make It Your Own
  • Ways to Use Homemade Sourdough Croutons
  • Top Tips for Perfectly Crunchy Croutons
  • And if you enjoyed these croutons...
  • Recipe Card
  • Comments
Bowl of croutons with some on stray bites on the counter.

If you have ever found yourself staring at a leftover loaf of sourdough bread and wondered what to do with it..

Well, I honestly can't say that I can relate.

From Sourdough French Toast to garlic bread and a Apple Cheddar Pork Tenderloin Sandwich to a simple piece of toast, using up a loaf just doesn't tend to be a problem in our house.

Especially when my mom gifts us some of her fresh, homemade sourdough. That stuff disappears fast.

However, I do tend to intentionally set some aside to turn into croutons.

Because whenever we make a garden salad or Chicken Pot Pie Soup (one of my all time favorite creamy soups!) and get to top them with homemade croutons.. Well, it is worth it!

If you have never made croutons before, you may be surprised at how quickly they come together.

I'll show you exactly how to do it below, but essentially you just cut up some bread, toss it with butter and seasonings and bake.

So let's make some homemade croutons!

The Ingredients

Ingredients for sourdough croutons.
  • Sourdough Bread Loaf- You can make your own croutons with both fresh and stale bread. I love the flavor that comes from using slices of sourdough bread but any type of bread should work. I often use this Honey Oat Bread as well.
  • Butter- Salted or unsalted. Olive or avocado oil also work but I prefer to use butter for the flavor. For a tasty variation, you can use leftover bacon grease.
  • Fine Sea Salt- Table or kosher salt can be used as well.
  • Garlic Powder- A clove of minced fresh garlic can also be used.
  • Black Pepper

The Method

1. Cut bread into cubes. Cut into your desired crouton size and place into a large bowl. I typically do about ¾ inch cubes but you can change them depending on your preference; smaller cubes may take less time than this recipe calls for and larger cubes may take more.

Bread sliced on a cutting board.

2. Mix seasonings and butter. In a small, microwave safe bowl, melt butter. Stir in the seasonings until combined.

Butter and seasonings mixed together in a small bowl.

3. Coat bread. Pour the butter mixture over the cubes of bread and stir until evenly coated.

Bread in a bowl mixed with butter and seasonings.

4. Spread sourdough bread cubes onto a prepared baking sheet. Cover a sheet pan with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Place bread cubes in a single layer and ensure they are a bit spaced out for best results. If they seem crowded, divide them between two baking sheets.

Bread cubes spread out on a baking sheet.

5. Bake. Bake for 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and flip. Bake for 5-10 additional minutes until very lightly golden brown (how golden they get will depend on the type of sourdough you use). Keep a close eye on them after you put them back in from flipping- they will take somewhere between 15-20 minutes total.

Baked croutons on a sheet pan.

6. Cool. Place the pan of fresh croutons on a wire rack and allow to cool for about 20-30 minutes.

7. Enjoy!

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Cool completely (very important so that they don't end up soggy!) and store leftover croutons in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Cool completely and freeze in a resealable plastic bag (with as much air removed as possible) or container for later use- up to 3 months.

Make It Your Own

Everything Bagel Croutons- Add ½ teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of poppyseeds and 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds at the same time as the other seasonings.

Italian Croutons- Use olive oil in place of butter and add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or ¼ teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, parsley and thyme.

Parmesan Garlic Sourdough Croutons- After flipping, evenly sprinkle 2 tablespoons of finely grated parmesan cheese and return to the oven for the final 5-10 minutes.

Use Another Kind of Bread- While I often make these croutons with sourdough, I also use this same method to make croutons with whatever bread we have on hand. Honey Oat Bread makes for a good crouton as well.

Dairy Free- Ensure you are using a dairy free bread and use olive or avocado oil in place of butter.

Gluten Free- Ensure you are using GF seasonings and choose a gluten-free bread.

Bowl of sourdough croutons sitting on a counter.

Ways to Use Homemade Sourdough Croutons

A good crouton adds a little crunch and a special touch to so many dishes. Try using them:

  • In your favorite salad recipe such as Mixed Berry Spinach Salad or Caesar salad.
  • As a topping for soup such as Cherry Tomato Soup, Pumpkin Chicken Rice Soup or Pot Pie Soup.
  • On a charcuterie board for a delicious complement to your meats and cheeses.
  • As a garnish on casseroles and pasta.
  • In an egg casserole (try using leftover croutons in place of the bagel in this Everything Bagel Casserole).
Sheet pan of baked croutons next to a cloth napkin.

Top Tips for Perfectly Crunchy Croutons

To avoid soggy croutons, be sure to follow these key tips:

  • Give the bread cubes lots of space on the pan. In order for them to crisp up, they need to have air exposure on all sides. If you are making a big batch, divide them between two pans.
  • Allow the sourdough croutons to cool completely before packaging. If there is any residual heat, it will cause them to soften once packaged.
  • If using very fresh bread, cut the cubes up and lay them out for 10-20 minutes to help them to dry out slightly.

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And if you enjoyed these croutons...

...you might also like:

  • Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
  • Honey Oat Bread

Recipe Card

Croutons on a baking sheet.

Sourdough Croutons

Turn your leftover sourdough bread into something spectacular with this homemade sourdough croutons recipe. See the post body for plenty of different variations and creative ideas for how to use them.
5 from 36 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 64kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ loaf sourdough bread (about 4 slices or 4 cups cubed)
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
US Customary - Metric
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Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Cut bread into cubes and place in a large bowl.
  • In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and combine with the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Pour over the bread cubes and toss or stir to evenly coat.
  • Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet (ensure there is space between the croutons and they are not over crowded) and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and stir/flip. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them, until lightly golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before using.

Notes

Leftovers
Cool completely and store leftovers in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

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Comments

    5 from 36 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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  1. Mandy Applegate says

    October 01, 2022 at 9:00 am

    5 stars
    These are really great croutons! They are so easy to make and taste so much better than the store-bought kind.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 01, 2022 at 9:40 am

      I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Mandy!

      Reply
  2. Cathleen says

    October 01, 2022 at 9:33 am

    5 stars
    I can't believe I have never made croutons before!! Definitely going to be doing this tonight, thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 01, 2022 at 9:40 am

      I hope you love them, Cathleen!

      Reply
  3. Kathleen says

    October 01, 2022 at 9:34 am

    5 stars
    These croutons were great on our salad. Now I can make them whenever I want. Yay!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 01, 2022 at 9:39 am

      Thank you for your kind review, Kathleen!

      Reply
  4. Suja md says

    October 01, 2022 at 10:13 am

    5 stars
    This looks really delicious and fairly simple to make! Can't wait to try it out! thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 01, 2022 at 2:08 pm

      Thank you for your kind review, Suja!

      Reply
  5. Ana F. says

    October 01, 2022 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    I always end up with extra bread and this time I made them into croutons following your recipe. Love the butter flavor! Can't wait to make them again.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 03, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Ana!

      Reply
Janessa

Hi, I'm Janessa and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients, are quick and easy and most importantly, delicious!

More about me →

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