Crunchy, flavorful and a great topping for your favorite salad or bowl of soup. These homemade croutons with fresh milled flour are quick and convenient to make and a terrific way to use up leftover or stale bread!
Our family is small, so when I make up a large meal or a full batch of muffins or even a pan of rolls, usually we end up with leftovers. Often times I will freeze the dishes to avoid food waste — and I must admit it is SO convenient to have leftovers in the fridge on those days I don’t want to cook — but let’s be honest, not all things freeze well.
Baked beans. Beef soup. Pancakes. They all make perfect freezer meals. But stale bread … not so much. Of course, had I planned ahead the day I made a loaf of fresh baked bread, I could have frozen half of the loaf but hindsight is 20/20.
So what are some ways to use leftover bread? French toast. Bread crumbs. Make a casserole. Turn it into a grilled cheese sandwich. All of those are delicious but considering it is summer time and our gardening is thriving, I opted for homemade croutons with wheat bread. It is the perfect way to top our kale salads.
Homemade croutons can be made with sandwich bread, no knead bread recipes, sourdough, challah, Ezekiel bread and even oatmeal bread. Simply cut your leftover bread into cubes, toss with oil and seasonings and bake for 20 minutes. Keep in mind the older the bread, the quicker it will bake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe With Fresh Milled Flour
- Easy to make
- Great way to use up leftovers or stale bread
- Homemade croutons from bread made with freshly milled flour are delicious and nutritious
- Perfect for those watching their carbs and don’t want to eat an entire slice of bread
- Can be served in a variety of ways including using homemade croutons for tomato soup, French onion soup or chili and of course, topping your favorite salad full of fresh veggies
How to Make Homemade Croutons
Learn how to make delicious croutons using, fresh, leftover or stale bread. This homemade crouton recipe with freshly milled flour is simple, quick and tasty atop your favorite bowl of greens or warm soup.
Ingredients
4 slices (5 cups) freshly milled bread, cut into cubes
1/4 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or your favorite herbs such as dried thyme, sage, dill, etc.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a bowl whisk together oil, salt, garlic powder and Italian seasoning or your chosen dried herbs. Add bread cubes and toss well to evenly coat each piece.
Spread out bread cubes in an even layer onto a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. The staler the bread is the quicker the croutons will brown.
Remove croutons from oven and cool before serving. Leftover homemade croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
FAQ
Are Homemade Croutons Healthy?
When made with wholesome ingredients, such as freshly milled flour, homemade croutons are an excellent healthy topping for your salad or soup. By using fresh milled flour in your homemade croutons, you can be assured that you are getting the most nutrients, vitamins and fiber in every single crunchy bite!
How to Store Homemade Croutons
Homemade croutons made with fresh milled flour can be stored in a zip-lock bag or a glass container such as a mason jar. The more airtight the container is, the longer they will last.
Do Homemade Croutons Need to Be Refrigerated?
No. Croutons can be stored at room temperature.
How Long Do Homemade Croutons Last?
Keep in a sealed container, croutons last for about one week. You can also freeze them for longer storage time.
Discover More Delicious Recipes
Homemade Croutons With Fresh Milled Flour
Crunchy, flavorful and a great topping for your favorite salad or bowl of soup. These homemade croutons with fresh milled flour are quick and convenient to make and a terrific way to use up leftover or stale bread!
Ingredients
- 4 slices (5 cups) freshly milled bread, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or your favorite herbs such as dried thyme, sage, dill, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a bowl whisk together oil, salt, garlic powder and Italian seasoning or your chosen dried herbs. Add bread cubes and toss well to evenly coat each piece.
- Spread out bread cubes in an even layer onto a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. The staler the bread is the quicker the croutons will brown.
- Remove croutons from oven and cool before serving. Leftover homemade croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
Pin Recipe for Later!
