Healthier homemade croutons made with whole grain bread, Italian seasoning and shredded parmesan cheese. These are so simple to make, with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Homemade Croutons
I love croutons in my salad or pea soup, but it’s hard to find brands made with whole grain bread, or that don’t have a long list of ingredients so I make them myself. So easy to make! If you are gluten-free you can swap the bread for your favorite GF brand. Sour dough bread would also be great!
I love how the grains in the bread add a nutty texture to the croutons, so much better than white bread!
Once baked you can keep them in a container at least 1 week to use for salads or soups (I love croutons in my split pea soup!) Be sure to use shredded Parmesan cheese so it sticks to the croutons when baked in the oven.
For this side salad pictured above, I chopped up some tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and romaine lettuce, and tossed it with my red wine tomato vinaigrette.
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- olive oil spray, I used my mister
- 6 slices 100% whole grain bread, Dave's Killer Bread Good Seed or Pepperidge Farm 15 grain*
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- sea salt, to taste
- 3-4 tsp dried Italian seasoning, or dried parsley
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- fresh black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat over to 300°F. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
- Remove the crust and cut the bread into small cubes.
- Combine the garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.
- Spread the bread cubes on prepared cookie sheet in a single layer.
- Spray the top with more oil to coat and top with half of the seasoning and half of the shredded cheese; season with black pepper then bake for 14 minutes or until dry, crispy, and golden brown.
- Turn the croutons over, spray a little more oil and sprinkle with remaining seasoning, black pepper and shredded cheese; bake for an additional 14 minutes until done.
- Store croutons in air-tight container or ziplock bag. Makes 4 cups.
Hi!! Could you tell me what olive oil mister you use? I’m looking for a good one. Cant wait to try this recipe!
Currently I love Bertolli olive oil spray.
Darn good! I did not rémové the crusts. Left great breadcrumbs when the croutons where gone.
Can you crush these up later and use them as a breadcrumb?
Wow… this looks so good!
That is a neat idea1 I never thought about making my own whole grain croutons. Definitely a healthier option and I love the texture that croutons add in a salad.
Gina – Every single solitary recipe I try of yours is absolutely AMAZING. I really can't express how much I enjoy your website! Healthy, tasty and interesting dishes. I just made your slow cooked Jerk Pork with Carribean Salsa the other night. Are you kidding me?! It was so delish!! My husband and I went nuts over it. Thanks for everything you do!!!!!
Thank you Molly!!
Gina I love this recipe. I can't wait to try making these croutons. Keep doing what you do!
Hi, I was wonder if instead of the shredded cheese if I can use the other one?? Thank You so much, and by the way I love love love your'e page!!!!!
You can use grated, but it won't stick as well.
This sounds delicious and I will probably try it. However, I believe there's a mistake in the nutritional info. If there are 6.5 grams of fat per serving, that would equal at least 60 calories, but total calories is listed as 28.5. Something is amiss.
Thanks I'll recheck and see if it's a typo.
Love homemade croutons!! Definitely healthier than the store-bought version 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE croutons, I think they can totally make a salad, but there are totally not enough healthy crouton options out in the world, I am going to have to make some of these ASAP. How long do you think they would last?
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These look delicious!!!
Love this idea! I can't wait to try it!
Love this idea! How long do they keep after being made and where do you suggest they be stored?
I keep them in a dry place, they should last a few weeks I'm guessing.
I keep my croutons in the freezer or fridge. In the freezer they last a really long time.
My Dad ( RIP ) used to make croutons all the time. way better than the store ones.
Thanks Gina!!!
Thanks Dee Dee!
I love homemade croutons! They are easy to make and taste better than store bought any day!
Now this is the way to do croutons! These look so much better than anything you could ever find at the store.
Right! I never buy them in the store.
YUM!! Love homemade croutons.
clever idea!!
http://franchemeetsfashion.blogspot.cz/
What a great idea!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
Thank you! Your salad looks amazing! I cannot wait to try the croutons and the vinaigrette dressing! Yum!