Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

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3030 Minutes or LessVGVegetarian

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15 minutes mins

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 02/12/2018

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Caesar Croutons are the crowning jewel on a classic Caesar Salad and once you make this homemade version, you’ll find yourself wondering why you ever bought croutons from the store. There is no comparison and they’ll quickly take your Caesar Salad game to the next level.

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (1)

Homemade croutons for life! When I first posted the recipe for the besthomemade croutons, I had no idea how popular it would become. I absolutely love reading your comments about how making homemade croutons for the first time was a game-changer for you. Here are some of my favorite comments:

  • “JUST made three batches (out of one loaf) an hour before church. My house smells good, it was SO easy – and I’m so glad I found you. Thank you for the detailed images and simple recipe.” – Juanita
  • “Oh my gosh! Why have I bought croutons my whole life?!? This is so easy and so good! I will never serve bagged croutons again!” -Christina
  • “Pretty much the perfect crouton. I don’t think I can ever buy them from the store again!” -Elise
  • “These were unbelievably good. So easy to make.” -Niva
  • “This recipe is simple yet perfect! I used both sourdough and three cheese semolina bread. I left the pieces a bit larger for dipping into a cheese spread. Delicious! ” -Meghan

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2)

Since you all love these so much (for good reason!), I’ve gone a little crouton crazy. I compiled a complete guide on how to make croutons, complete with all sorts of variations and ideas for you. There are even a couple of different cooking methods and a video to help you visualize the process! I also developed a copycat recipe for Ruby Tuesday croutons, because I haven’t been to Ruby Tuesday’s in years and years but I still remember those delicious little cubes of bread.

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (3)

Since we’re riding the crouton train, I thought Caesar croutons also deserved their own feature here. A Caesar salad is not a Caesar salad without the croutons, am I right? So you can either eat those crumbly dry croutons you buy at the store or you can bite into a perfectly crispy chewy crouton that will elevate your salad to a whole new level. There is truly nothing like it for sale at the store, but the good news is that these croutons are super simple to make and they’ll finish baking basically in the time it takes to make the actual salad.

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (4)

About these Caesar Croutons:

Like all the other croutons, Caesar croutons are also a great way to use up leftover or stale bread if that exists in your house. These garlic Parmesan croutons are flaked with herbs and have so much flavor for the perfect Caesar salad. I opt for garlic powder for a more mild flavor but if you’re a huge garlic fan, feel free to mince a couple of cloves and go garlic crazy!

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (5)

Tip: The more stale and dry your bread cubes are, the faster these will brown! If your bread is dry, make sure to keep a close eye on it to keep it from burning. If your bread is quite fresh, plan on slightly increasing baking time.

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (6)

Want to use these croutons but switch it up from the usual chopped romaine? I can’t wait to try this Brussels Sprouts Caesar Saladfrom A Mindfull Mom, Grilled Caesar Salad from The Little Kitchen, and Roasted Asparagus Caesar Salad from Nutmeg Nanny.

PS: Try homemade Caesar Dressing– it’s a healthier version and it’s fantastic!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (7)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Caesar Croutons

4.52 from 107 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

4 cups

Print Rate Recipe

Caesar Croutons are the crowning jewel on a classic Caesar Salad and once you make this homemade version, you'll find yourself wondering why you ever bought croutons from the store. There is no comparison and they'll quickly take your Caesar Salad game to the next level.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 4 heaping cups cubed white bread (I like to use a French baguette)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.

  • In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme.

  • Add bread cubes and toss to coat all bread cubes with olive oil mixture.

  • Spread the bread cubes into an even layer on a sheet pan. Don’t crowd the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp, stirring once to ensure even toasting. If you’re using super fresh bread, they’ll take a little longer to become golden brown. If the bread is stale and dry, it may brown faster, so keep an eye on it!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/2 cup croutons, Calories: 139kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 190mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

Verdict: When I tested this recipe, I actually only ate two of these because I was technically doing a Whole30. It was SO hard not to eat more – homemade croutons are one of my favorite things and these were some of the best I’ve had!
Husband’s take:Luckily Ben came to the rescue and took a bag of these to work with him. I think he snacked on them without putting them on a salad – they’re that good!
Changes I would make:None at all!
Difficulty: So easy, you guys! This recipe will change the way you think about croutons!

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. KL says

    Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (15)
    Husband said favorite croutons ever and they were a hit! Thanks for an awesome recipe.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      So glad to hear it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply

  2. Karen says

    Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (16)
    What about storage? Can you make these a day before needing them? Or must use right away?

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      They should be okay for a few days in an airtight container.

      Reply

  3. Vicky says

    Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (17)
    Easy, awesome, I used a mix of breads including rye and and I used my air fryer.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I’m glad you liked them!

      Reply

  4. Barb says

    Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (18)
    There were a hit will all my dinner guests! Excellent!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I’m so happy to hear that!

      Reply

Older Comments

Caesar Croutons - EASY recipe! Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

Why are my homemade croutons soggy? ›

The key to crispy croutons is making sure that they're fully dried out in the oven and crunchy all the way through. They should not be chewy when they come out of the oven. Bake croutons in a single layer on the baking sheet to crisp up the bread, rather than steaming it.

What to use instead of croutons in Caesar salad? ›

10 Healthy Alternatives to Croutons
  1. Roasted chickpeas. These offer a satisfying crunch and can be seasoned in various ways to mimic the flavor profile of croutons. ...
  2. Chopped nuts. ...
  3. Whole grain pita chips. ...
  4. Seeded crackers. ...
  5. Parmesan crisps. ...
  6. Toasted quinoa. ...
  7. Roasted pumpkin seeds. ...
  8. Sunflower seeds.

What does croutons do to your body? ›

Croutons provide calories (energy) primarily in the form of carbohydrates. Carbs are your body's preferred energy source. When you eat croutons, you are providing your body with fuel for your daily activities.

What kind of lettuce is Caesar salad made of? ›

Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. The dressing is a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Tip: Skip the shaky cheese. Shaved Parmesan makes a big difference with this dish, elevating both presentation and flavor.

Is it cheaper to make or buy croutons? ›

Homemade croutons are less expensive than storebought; they're also ten times tastier. They enhance every salad on which they are sprinkled, and can also be used as a garnish for soups, or crushed with a rolling pin and sprinkled on pasta or used as a filling for an omelet.

How long do homemade croutons last? ›

How long do croutons last? The expected shelf-life for homemade croutons is about two weeks. Moisture encourages mold, so make sure your croutons are completely dehydrated during the bake and let cool completely at room temperature before storing them away in an airtight container.

Why are my croutons not crispy? ›

Using too high heat. You want golden-brown croutons — not blackened ones. Tossing the bread cubes into a super-hot pan means they'll burn instead of toast. Instead, cook the croutons over medium to medium-high heat.

What kind of croutons does Olive Garden use in their salad? ›

Olive Garden croutons are made with Romano cheese, seasoned with garlic, Italian herbs & spices, and baked to a delicious golden brown.

How do you keep a Caesar salad crispy? ›

5 genius ways to keep your salads from getting soggy
  1. Avoid adding salt too soon. ...
  2. Leave it undressed. ...
  3. Remove excess moisture from high-water-content fruits and vegetables. ...
  4. Let your hot ingredients cool completely before adding them to the mix. ...
  5. The order in which you build a salad is key.
Apr 19, 2023

How to stop croutons from going soggy? ›

If you're baking your croutons, make sure they are well-spaced-out on a shallow tray to ensure they crisp evenly and they don't steam, causing them to become soggy. They also need to be in a single layer and not touching.

Do homemade croutons freeze well? ›

Croutons will last four to six weeks in the freezer. You'll Need: Freezer bags.

How do you keep croutons crunchy? ›

To keep croutons crisp, simply heat them in a pan on medium-low heat to dry out any parts that may have been wet after frozen. Crisp in the oven. Thawed croutons can also be popped into the oven at medium low heat (300 degrees F) for 5-10 minutes to given them a crunchier texture.

What are the ingredients in no name Caesar croutons? ›

Ingredients: White Bread (soy, Wheat), Seasoning {cheese Powder(cheddar, Romano, Parmesan And Blue Cheeses, Modified Milk Ingredients,maltodextrin, Skim Milk Powder, Citric Acid), Garlic Powder, Sodiumdiacetate, Lactose, Salt, Malic Acid, Sugar, Hydrolyzed Soy And Cornprotein,dehydrated Parsley, Natural Flavour}.

What bread is croutons made of? ›

For the best croutons, seek out a crusty loaf of bread with great flavor. I love to use my favorite whole grain sourdough from our local bakery. French bread works very well. You could even use a loaf of rye bread or homemade cornbread if its unique flavors will complement your meal.

Are croutons healthy or unhealthy? ›

Why is it unhealthy? Croutons can add some delicious crunch to your salad, but they can also add calories. You might be surprised to learn that just a cup of croutons can add an estimated 120 calories to your salad, and that number goes up to 180 if they are the seasoned variety.

Are croutons healthier than bread? ›

A. Regarding nutritional value, croutons and bread are practically identical. Therefore, croutons, especially those made from whole-grain bread, might provide limited health benefits. Moreover, most croutons have more sodium than your store-bought bread.

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