Homemade Garlic Herb Croutons | Easy & Simple

There is something about homemade croutons that instantly makes a salad feel elevated.

And they are so easy to make!

No infusing oil.
No extra saucepan.
No straining garlic.

Just toss, bake, and done.

These crispy garlic herb croutons come together in under 15 minutes and taste so much better than anything from a box. Once you start making your own, you’ll never go back.

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Why Make Homemade Croutons?

• Crispier than store-bought
• Made with real olive oil
• Customizable to any flavor
• Perfect way to use up leftover bread
• No preservatives

And honestly? They’re dangerously snackable straight off the tray.

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Ingredients

• 4 cups bread cubes (¾-inch squares; sturdy bread like sourdough works best)
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning blend
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• chopped fresh parsley (optional for topping)

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How to Make Homemade Croutons

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F.

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2. Season the Bread

Place the bread cubes in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, combine:

• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk together until well combined.

Pour the seasoned oil over the bread cubes and toss until evenly coated.

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3. Bake

Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.

Bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Keep a close eye on them — they go from golden to dark quickly at 400°F.

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4. Cool

Remove from the oven and let cool completely. They’ll crisp up even more as they cool. Toss the final product with your fresh chopped parsley (if using).

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Tips for Perfect Croutons

Use sturdy bread.
Sourdough, French bread, or day-old artisan bread works best.

Cut evenly.
¾-inch cubes ensure even baking.

Watch closely at 400°F.
Higher heat means faster browning.

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Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze for up to 2 months and re-crisp in a 300°F oven.

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Ways to Use These Croutons

• Caesar salad
• Tomato soup
• Panzanella
• Topping for roasted vegetables
• Crushed over mac and cheese

Or just eat them as a snack. No judgment.

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Recipe

Homemade Garlic Herb Croutons

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Servings: About 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups bread cubes (¾-inch squares)
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning blend
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• fresh chopped parsley (optional for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place bread cubes in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour over bread cubes and toss until evenly coated.
5. Spread onto a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
6. Bake 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
7. Cool completely before storing.