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Homemade Creole Seasoned Croutons are packed with flavor and perfect for salads, soups and to snack on! So easy to make at home you’ll never buy store bought again! Use up old bread or make them with fresh!

 

 

A few months ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to make croutons.  But not just any homemade crouton recipe.  They needed to be packed with flavor.  I wanted something that I could enjoy with soup or salads but also something I could snack on.  

Anytime we buy croutons, they turn into a snack in our home.  We all sit around and munch on them.  I figured they’d be pretty easy to make but really, what would be the tastiest recipe?  Knowing me and my lack of diet restraint, I of course went for the ones packed with butter, cheese and seasonings.  And because of that, they are so tasty!

 

 

Now if you are looking for something with a lighter flavor cut the seasoning down to 2 teaspoons.  

We however, preferred the full seasoning croutons.  Especially on a salad!  After a few trial runs, we not only discovered a delicious recipe, but we also figured out how to make homemade Creole Seasoned Croutons in the oven, air fryer and skillet.  

Interestingly, a popular search subject for Google is ‘what are croutons?’  I thought this was a little silly but then realized there is a computer term called croutons and am hoping that was what people were asking.  Heck, I don’t even know what a computer crouton is.  

 

 

I do however know what a salad crouton is or a bread crouton for soup!  I also know that you can top a casserole with croutons or blend up croutons to make an amazing tasting bread crumb!

Below you’ll find one crouton recipe but cooked three ways! After trying all three methods, we all agreed that they all tasted amazing.  However they each gave a slightly different texture based on cooking method.

This was one thing I didn’t expect.  But don’t worry, I’ll break that all down for you!

 

 

HOW DO THE DIFFERENT COOKING METHODS AFFECT THE CROUTON?

Cooking croutons is really easy.  But each cooking style will result in a slightly different texture.

Oven Method – For Croutons baked in the oven, this method is in my mind is the easiest cooking method.  This is because you don’t have to cook the croutons in batches.  All the croutons will fit onto a single cookie sheet of which you can bake at once.  The texture is just like you’d find in the grocery store.  Crispy and crunchy.  Because some of the butter melts off while baking, the croutons bake in the oil giving them an oilier texture and flavor.

 

 

 

Air Fryer Method – For Air Fryer Croutons,  you’ll most likely need to cook your croutons in 2 or more batches when using the air fryer.  This of course will depend on how many you make and the size of your air fryer.  The results are a dry, crispy crouton, just like you expect.  We also felt that these were less oily as some of the butter drips off during cooking into the under pan of your air fryer.

 

 

 

Skillet Method – If you prefer a crispy on the outside and hint of chewiness on the inside crouton, then cooking croutons in the skillet is the way to go.  We found this method to be kindest on our gums and very tasty!  Crunchy just as it should be but with a hint of chew on the inside!  Again, like air fryer croutons, you’ll most likely need to cook them in batches.

 

 

 

CAN I USE LESS BUTTER IN MY CREOLE SEASONED CROUTONS?

Yes you can!  We’ve tried a variety of recipes, including adapting this recipe to less seasonings and less butter.  Both methods turned out great!  My family preferred the full butter because butter tastes delicious. However we scarfed down the lower butter ones too!  I wouldn’t recommend using less than 1/4 cup of butter though.  However if you do, please let me know how it turned out for you!

 

 

HOW DO YOU MAKE HOMEMADE CROUTONS?

Homemade croutons are so easy to whip up!  You start with bread you’ve got laying around.  Generally it’s said to use day old bread – as in bread that is a bit dried out.  However we’ve used fresh bread and had great results!  The kind of bread you use will determine the thickness and density of your croutons. 

For this recipe I used a cheese loaf, but in making croutons in general I’ve used focaccia bread, white bread, baguette, french loaf, and of course regular sandwich bread.

 

 

Once you determine your bread, then the rest is pretty basic.

A quick recipe is olive oil, bread cubes and seasoning.  

This recipe though is a bit fancier and oh so tasty!

1. Cut your bread up into cubes and place them in a bowl.  
2. Sprinkle Creole Seasoning on top of bread crumbs and mix.  Set aside.
3. In a small pot melt butter.
4. Once butter is melted add Shredded Parmesan Cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.  Cook over low until cheese is melted and mixture is creamy. 
5. Pour cheese mixture over bread cubes and mix well.
6. Bake in the oven, air fryer or cook in a skillet.
7. Serve immediately or store in air tight container until ready to eat.

 

 

HOW LONG CAN HOMEMADE CROUTONS LAST?

Fresh croutons will last 2 weeks if stored in an air tight container.  These do not need to be refrigerated, though you can.

 

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH CROUTONS?

Croutons can be used in a variety of ways.  

1. Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Salad
2. Onion Cheddar Soup
3. Creamy Cheesesteak Soup
4. Ceasar Salad 
5. Arugula Caprese Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing
6. Spinach Bacon Salad
7. Classic House Salad
8. Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
9. Spinach, Coconut & Zucchini Soup
10. Austrian Garlic Soup 

 

 

CAN I FREEZE CROUTONS?

Yes you can!  You can freeze croutons for up to 6 months!  Make them now and freeze them for a later date!

 

 

 

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