Garlic and Parmesan Croutons

Homemade croutons seasoned with butter, garlic and grated Parmesan cheese.

Garlic and Parmesan Croutons - bakedbyrachel.com

It should come as no surprise that my favorite part of a salad is the croutons. In fact I may or may not attempt to steal them from others around me. I promise they’re always people I know, not some random person at the table next to me. Because that’d be really weird. And typically I only steal them when I don’t have my own salad which is probably most of the time. If we’re out to eat, I don’t want a starter salad. Bring me potatoes or cheese or bread. No greens. I get that a salad is better but I don’t want to pay five dollars or whatever for a tiny side salad when in reality that would cost like a few cents, right? Totally rounding that out btw.

I didn’t even have croutons on my list of things to make but you see, I had this loaf of bread. French bread to be exact. And it was going to be used for something, but for what besides eating, I don’t remember at this point. I lost my ability to remember things somewhere between the first and third child. Anyway… so this loaf of bread, already crusty, was now even crustier and not even remotely usable for just munching even after heating up. The only way it could be used is in a crunchy manner. And there we have croutons…

Garlic and Parmesan Croutons - bakedbyrachel.com

Brilliant, beautiful, tasty croutons full of garlic and butter flavor and sprinkled with cheese… baked until super crisp and golden. Just perfection and amazingly delicious to add to your favorite salad… or just eaten as is, because let’s be real… I’m totally sitting here eating straight from the bin of croutons as I type this. Carb lovers unite.  

Garlic and Parmesan Croutons

Homemade croutons seasoned with butter, garlic and grated Parmesan cheese.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread day old
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Prepare loaf by cutting into 1-inch cubes, or smaller. Add to a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, melt butter with garlic slices. Remove garlic prior to drizzling over cubed bread. Sprinkle with seasonings and cheese. Toss with your hands. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or golden brown. Cool and enjoy with your favorite salad. Store remaining croutons in an airtight container.

Notes

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel
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16 Responses to “Garlic and Parmesan Croutons”

  1. #
    1
    Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — January 11, 2013 at 8:30 am

    The croutons are my favorite part too. If Im being completely honest, they’re probably the only part I like..the rest I just tolerate. Clearly, Im not big on salads. I prefer cheeseburgers haha

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      1.1
      Rachel — January 11, 2013 at 9:53 am

      I agree – it just depends on the salad but I always love the croutons :)

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    2
    steph@stephsbitebybite — January 11, 2013 at 8:53 am

    Forget the salad! Just give me these and some ranch!

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    Jennifer | Mother Thyme — January 11, 2013 at 8:56 am

    This is such a great way to use extra French bread. My hubby loads his salads with croutons. I usually ask him if he would like some salad with his croutons so he would definitely go crazy for these!

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      3.1
      Rachel — January 11, 2013 at 9:55 am

      haha just pass him a bowl of croutons next time ;)

  4. #
    4
    Julie @ Table for Two — January 11, 2013 at 9:05 am

    hand over the bowl and no one gets hurt.

    you think i’m kidding ;)

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    Paula — January 11, 2013 at 9:08 am

    Lovely and easy recipe and no doubt adds a lovely homemade flavour and texture to the salad. Homemade is always best :)

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    shirley@bells-bakery — January 11, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Ha Ha I literally nearly spat out my tea laughing…..yes robbing stranger croutons would be slightly weird. Bread, garlic and Parmesan (or any cheese for that matter) and I’m in!

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    a farmer in the dell — January 11, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I am notorious for stealing croutons off my husbands salad whenever he gets up to go to the bathroom. These croutons sound amazing and have just inspired me to eat a salad for the first time since the new year!

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    sally @ sallys baking addiction — January 11, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    okkkkkkkkkkkk i’ve been meanign to make croutons for i dont know… a YEAR now? I now have no excuse. my next salad is going to be the BEST salad! I also want to cover a bowl of tomato soup with these :)

  9. #
    9
    Carla @ Carlas Confections — January 11, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Those are the best, when you get good recipes out of things you didnt expect to have. I love homemade croutons! These look so good!

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    Tracey — January 11, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    Haha, I remember when I was a kid I’d totally eat the croutons out of my salad and skip the rest. They’re still my favorite part – I only wish someone served me a salad with these croutons on it!

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    11
    nicole @ I am a Honey Bee — January 12, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I love making homemade croutons. Never made them when parm tho. I’ll have to give that a try.

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    12
    amanda @ fake ginger — January 12, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Homemade croutons are so much better than the store-bought kind! Love these!

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    13
    Yvonne @ bitter baker — January 13, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    Just this evening I was carving out a bread bowl, and ended up with tons of bread that I didn’t know what to do of. Now I do though :)

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    Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking — January 14, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    croutons are my favorite as well, and flavored with garlic, no one touches them! all mine!

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