Italian Seasoned Sourdough Croutons

Nothing beats homemade Italian-seasoned sourdough croutons.

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These crispy sourdough bread cubes, seasoned with Italian herbs and parmesan cheese, perfectly complement soups and salads. 

By making your croutons at home, you guarantee their freshness and quality and have the freedom to customize them to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer a hint of garlic, a kick of pepper, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, the choice is yours.

This step-by-step process of transforming simple sourdough bread into crunchy, seasoned perfection is simple and delicious.

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Ingredients for Italian Seasoned Sourdough Croutons

Creating crispy and flavorful croutons requires a handful of simple yet essential ingredients. 

  • Sourdough—The sourdough’s distinct taste will infuse your croutons with a depth of flavor that ordinary bread cannot match.
  • Italian Seasonings—the combination of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary enhances the taste of the crouton. This is my favorite Italian Seasoning blend.
  • Olive Oil – ensures the bread cubes cook up crispy. (Try substituting flavor-infused oil for olive oil to provide additional flavor.) Learn how to infuse your own oil here.
  • Parmesan Cheese – provides a rich and sharp flavor.

Sprinkle these herbs and seasonings over your croutons and watch them become crunchy bites of goodness.

How to Make Italian Seasoned Sourdough Croutons

Preparation Steps

To begin, gather your sourdough bread and carefully cut it into uniform cubes to ensure even baking. This step is crucial as consistent cube sizes lead to a uniform texture. Drizzle the bread cubes with olive oil in a mixing bowl and sprinkle them generously with a blend of Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The secret to flavorful croutons is ensuring each cube is evenly coated with the seasoning mix, guaranteeing flavor in every bite.

Sourdough sliced and cut into cubes.

Baking Techniques

Preheat the oven to 400°F to achieve that perfect golden-brown crouton. Spread the seasoned bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, ensuring they are in a single layer to achieve even baking. Bake the croutons for 15-20 minutes, tossing them halfway through to promote uniform crispiness. Watch them carefully; you may have to remove the smaller croutons since they cook faster than the larger ones. Additional time may be required to achieve the crispiness that you desire. Cool on a cooling rack before putting in air-tight storage container or freezer bag.

Serving Suggestions and Storing Tips

Italian seasoned sourdough croutons on a cooling rack.Consider the following suggestions to make the most of your crunchy croutons:

  • Try adding these seasoned croutons to  Easy Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad or Creamy Caesar Salad for an extra dimension of taste and texture.
  • Float these crispy delights on top of a warm bowl of soup bowl as a cracker substitute.
  • Use them the next time you make stuffing for an extra level of flavor.
  • Enjoy as a crunchy snack.
  • Crush them into fine crumbs and use them in hamburgers, crispy coating, or any other recipe that calls for breadcrumbs.

 

 

Keeping Croutons Fresh

In order to maintain the crispiness of your Italian seasoned sourdough croutons for as long as possible, follow these simple storing tips:

  • Airtight Container: Store your croutons in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 3 days. It lasts for up to 5 days if stored in the fridge.
  • Freezer: Store them in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Put them on a cookie sheet to refresh, and thaw by baking for 10 minutes at 250°F.
  • Re-crisping Option: If your croutons start to lose their crunchiness, you can re-crisp them in the oven. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature until they regain their crispy texture.

 

By storing your croutons properly and following these practical tips, you can ensure that every bite retains the satisfying crunch that makes these homemade treats so delicious.

Creating Italian-seasoned sourdough croutons from scratch empowers you to take control over your pantry staples. Experiment with different seasonings or try other delicious crouton flavors, such as Buffalo Wing Croutons and Buttery Garlic Croutons. 

Happy crouton-making! Pin for Later!

Pinterest Pin for Italian Seasoned Sourdough Croutons.

If you try this recipe and love it, please tag me on Instagram @grindinggearsfarmstead.

Happy cooking, happy sharing, and may your kitchen always be filled with laughter and love.

Kathy's Signature

Close up of a bowl of Italian seasoned sourdough croutons.

Italian Seasoned Sourdough Croutons

Nothing beats homemade Italian-seasoned sourdough croutons. These crispy sourdough bread cubes, seasoned with Italian herbs and parmesan cheese, perfectly complement soups and salads.

Equipment

  • Bread Knife
  • Sheet Pan or Cookie Sheet
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat
  • Cooling Racks

Ingredients
  

  • Loaf of Sourdough Bread
  • Olive Oil
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Cut the sourdough loaf into uniform sized cubes to ensure even baking. (This step is crucial as consistent cube sizes lead to a uniform texture.)
  • Drizzle the bread cubes with olive oil in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution on each bread cube.
  • Sprinkle the bread cubes generously with a blend of Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Spread the seasoned bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. (Ensuring they are in a single layer to achieve even baking.)
  • Bake the croutons for about 15-20 minutes, tossing them halfway through to promote uniform crispiness. Watch them carefully; you may have to remove the smaller croutons since they cook faster than the larger ones. Additional time may be required to achieve the crispiness that you desire.

Storage

  • Store your croutons in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 3 days or up to 5 days if stored in the fridge.
  • Store them in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Put them on a cookie sheet to refresh and thaw by baking for 10 minutes at 250°F.
  • Re-crisping Option: If your croutons start to lose their crunchiness, you can re-crisp them in the oven. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature until they regain their crispy texture.

Serving Suggestions

  • Try adding these seasoned croutons to salads, such as Easy Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad or Creamy Caesar Salad for an extra dimension of taste and texture.
  • Float these crispy delights on top of a warm soup bowl as a cracker substitute.
  • Use them the next time you make stuffing for an extra level of flavor.
  • Crush them into fine crumbs and use them in hamburgers, crispy coating, or any other recipe that calls for breadcrumbs.

Notes

The secret to flavorful croutons is ensuring each cube is evenly coated with the seasoning mix, guaranteeing a burst of flavor in every bite.
 

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