How to Make Chef John's Homemade Croutons - A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're a fan of crispy, flavorful croutons, then you're going to love this homemade version from none other than Chef John. These croutons are easy to make, and the best part is that you can customize them to your own liking, whether you prefer classic garlic and herb flavors or something more adventurous like spicy chili and lime.

One of the best things about making your own croutons is that you can control the quality of the ingredients. Chef John's recipe calls for simple, wholes...

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 (8 ounce) loaf French bread baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • ¾ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Additional Time: 3 hrs
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 55 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Preheat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
  • Stir olive oil and garlic together in a bowl. Let sit at room temperature until flavors are infused, about 3 hours.
  • Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour garlic oil through a strainer onto the bread; toss to coat bread with oil. Add 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper; toss to coat. Spread bread cubes out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn croutons and bake 15 minutes more. Push croutons together with a spatula so that they are in a compact rectangle on the baking sheet and no longer spread out; sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese over the top. Bake until cheese is melted and the bread is crispy and crunchy, 10 to 15 minutes more.
  • Nutrition

    474 cal.

    • Total Fat: 32g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 13mg
    • Sodium: 890mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 34g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 13g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 202mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 118mg