Imagine biting into a salad topped with golden, crispy croutons that are bursting with garlic flavor and perfectly seasoned - no more boring store-bought alternatives! These homemade oven-baked garlic croutons are about to revolutionize your culinary experience, turning an ordinary dish into a gourmet masterpiece with just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned chef, this recipe will elevate your meals and impress everyone at the table.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread, cubed
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Cut the bread slices into uniform 1/2-inch cubes, ensuring they are roughly the same size for consistent toasting.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
- Add the bread cubes to the seasoned oil mixture and gently toss, ensuring each bread cube is evenly coated with the garlic and seasoning.
- Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation and crispy texture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even browning and prevent burning.
- Remove from oven when croutons are golden brown and crisp, with a crunchy exterior and slightly darker edges.
- Let the croutons cool completely on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, as they will continue to crisp up while cooling.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their crunchiness.
Tips
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for the best texture and crispiness.
- Cut bread cubes as uniformly as possible to ensure even toasting.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give the croutons space to crisp up.
- Stir the croutons halfway through baking to prevent burning and achieve even golden color.
- Let croutons cool completely before storing to maintain their crunch.
- Experiment with different bread types like sourdough or whole wheat for unique flavors.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme.
- Store in an airtight container to keep them crisp for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 193kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
