Make crispy croutons in your oven with just bread and butter! They make a welcome addition to your favorite fresh salads and only take two short steps.
What you’ll need:
- 10 slices (1/2 inch thick) firm white or whole-grain bread
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 15x10x1-inch pan
How to:
1. Heat oven to 300°F. Cut bread slices into ½-inch cubes. Spread in single layer in 15x10x1-inch pan. Drizzle butter evenly over bread cubes; toss to coat.
2. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until golden brown, dry and crisp. Cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature up to 2 days.
To make Garlic Croutons: Add 3 cloves of garlic, very finely chopped, or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder to butter before drizzling over bread cubes.
To make Herbed Croutons: Drizzle bread cubes with olive oil instead of butter. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon salt; toss to coat.
To make Pumpernickel or Rye Croutons: Substitute pumpernickel or rye bread. Bake as directed or until pumpernickel cubes are dry and crisp and rye cubes are light golden brown, dry and crisp.