Garlic Parmesan Croutons make every salad, soup, and snack board taste instantly better. Moreover, they’re quick, fragrant, and satisfyingly crunchy. With sturdy, day-old bread, olive oil, and plenty of finely grated Parmesan, these golden cubes toast evenly and stay crisp. Then, a whisper of garlic and Italian herbs brings warm, savory depth. Finally, a handful of parsley adds color and freshness.
Interestingly, croutons began as a practical way to revive stale bread; however, they’ve become a beloved texture boost in modern kitchens. Because the cheese is grated ultra-fine, it melts into tiny, toasty frills that cling to each cube. Consequently, every bite delivers a nutty Parmesan snap.
Make a batch on Sunday; then, all week, sprinkle them over Caesar salad, silky tomato soup, or creamy roasted veggies. They store beautifully and revive fast in a warm oven. So, skip the bag and bake your own—these homemade croutons are simple, affordable, and absolutely irresistible.
Recipe Yield: 8 servings
INGREDIENTS
6 cups hearty bread, ¾-in cubes (sourdough, ciabatta, or French)
⅔ cup Parmesan, very finely grated
¼ cup olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley, optional (for finishing)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven:
Heat oven to 375°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment; set aside.
2. Season the bread:
In a large bowl, whisk olive oil, melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add bread; toss until every cube looks lightly glossy. Sprinkle in Parmesan; then toss again so fine cheese clings to all sides.
3. Arrange for crisping:
Spread cubes on the sheet pan in a loose single layer. Shake the pan so croutons sit with space between; they’ll crisp better.
4. Bake, then toss:
Bake 8 minutes. Next, stir and flip the cubes. Bake 6–9 minutes more, until deep golden and crisp at the edges.
5. Finish and cool:
Immediately (while hot), toss with parsley. Finally, cool on the pan; they’ll firm up as steam escapes.
6. Serve or store:
Use once cooled. Otherwise, store airtight at room temp up to 1 week; re-crisp 3–4 minutes at 350°F.
Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- Use Sturdy Bread: Day-old rustic loaves toast evenly; soft sandwich bread gets chewy, not crunchy.
- Grate Extra-Fine: Finely grated Parmesan melts and adheres; pre-shredded styles slide off and burn.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Space equals crispness. Instead, bake in two pans if needed for even browning.
Also Popular
Oven Perfect Bacon
If you’ve ever wondered how to make bacon that’s perfectly crispy every time, look no further. Our Oven Perfect Bacon...
Country Fried Squash
If you’re craving a crispy, savory side dish that’s easy to make and loaded with flavor, look no further than...
Best 3-Ingredient Avocado Toast
Avocado toast has taken over breakfast menus everywhere, but why spend extra when you can make the Best 3-Ingredient Avocado...
Creamy Cottage Cheese Lasagna
Lasagna lovers, get ready for a creamy, cheesy twist on a classic favorite! This Creamy Cottage Cheese Lasagna is packed...
Boston Cream Pie
Boston Cream Pie is the kind of dessert that never goes out of style. With its soft, buttery sponge cake,...
Crispy Roasted Potatoes & Onions
There’s nothing quite like the perfectly crispy, golden-brown potatoes fresh from the oven. And when you add sweet, caramelized red...
Be the first to comment
Cooked it? 🍳 Loved it? ❤️ Changed it up? 🔄 Your opinion matters! Log in with Google or Facebook using the button below, share your foodie adventure, and let’s make cooking even more fun together! 🎉