How To Make Homemade Croutons from Bread + Easy Dressings

Learn how to make homemade croutons from any bread — plus 5 easy dressing ideas to turn simple greens into a fresh, flavorful salad. A quick, budget-friendly way to elevate everyday meals.

I love taking everyday ingredients — like leftover bread — and turning them into something completely delicious with almost no effort. These homemade croutons and easy dressings are exactly that kind of recipe: simple, flavorful, and perfect for bringing fresh life to weeknight meals, lunch salads, or soup night.

There’s something so satisfying about taking old bread or a half-used loaf and giving it a second life. And the best part? You don’t need much — just a few pantry staples, a baking sheet, and about 15 minutes.

(If you’re looking for a bread recipe to start with, my Overnight Sourdough Bread Recipe or Soup Bread Recipe are both perfect options for this.)

Why You’ll Love Homemade Croutons

Making your own croutons at home is a great way to reduce food waste and skip those overly salty, rock-hard store-bought croutons from grocery stores. Homemade croutons have a crisp, golden brown exterior and a light, tender crunch inside. They’re full of flavor and made with simple ingredients you already have — olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and a few dried herbs.

And truly, once you make your own croutons, you’ll never go back. The homemade version always wins — they take less time than running to the store and taste infinitely better.

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Best Bread to Use (and Why Sourdough Wins)

You can use almost any kind of bread for this crouton recipe — french bread, Italian bread, sandwich slices, or even homemade bread. Day-old or slightly stale bread actually works best because it dries out faster in the oven and crisps evenly without burning.

That said, sourdough makes the best croutons every single time. Its hearty texture and tangy flavor hold up beautifully when baked, and the result is perfectly crunchy garlic croutons that don’t fall apart in a big salad or get soggy in soup.

If you’ve got a loaf of bread that’s just a little past its prime, don’t toss it — turn it into bread cubes instead. You can even freeze sliced sourdough or any kind of bread ahead of time for whenever you’re ready to make a batch of croutons.

Basic Homemade Crouton Recipe

This easy recipe takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, and you don’t need any special tools.

Start by cutting or tearing your bread into 1-inch cubes of bread. They don’t have to be perfect — rustic slices of bread or uneven edges add to the charm. Toss them into a large bowl and drizzle with a few tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter for a richer flavor. Stir until the bread cubes are just coated — not greasy, just glossy.

Next, add your seasonings. I love using garlic powder, black pepper, and Italian seasoning (or a mix of your favorite spice blend). Sprinkle in some salt, maybe a pinch of dried parsley or other dried herbs, and toss again. The great thing about this is you can completely customize the flavors depending on what you’re serving — fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme are amazing, too.

Spread the seasoned bread cubes onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Giving them space helps them bake up crisp instead of steaming.

Bake at 375°F for about 10–15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they’re crisp and golden brown. You’ll smell the garlic and olive oil toasting together — it’s the best aroma. Let them cool at room temperature before storing. They’ll continue to crisp as they cool.

If you prefer to use your air fryer, simply cook at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They cook up fast and evenly, and they’re just as crunchy.

Once cool, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a couple of weeks.

Flavor Variations

The only thing better than a classic batch of croutons is experimenting with new flavors. Here are some ideas for your next time around:

• Garlic Croutons – Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
• Italian Herbs – Mix Italian seasoning, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil for a simple, savory option.
• Cheesy Croutons – Add finely grated parmesan before baking for a crispy, cheesy finish.
• Spicy Croutons – Try a dash of paprika or red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
• Butter + Herb Croutons – Use melted butter and fresh herbs like parsley or basil for a richer flavor.

You can even pulse leftover croutons in a food processor to make quick bread crumbs — a great alternative to store-bought.

5 Easy Homemade Dressing Ideas

Once you’ve got your warm croutons ready, toss them over greens and drizzle one of these quick dressings to bring your salad together. Each one is made from simple ingredients you probably already have on hand — olive oil, vinegar, and a few pantry staples.

Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette—Bright, fresh, and perfect for any green salad. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, a minced garlic clove, a touch of honey, and black pepper. Shake or whisk until emulsified.

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
• 1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Pinch of salt + black pepper

Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing—A little tangy, a little sweet. Mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and mayo or Greek yogurt. Add a pinch of salt and whisk until smooth.  Amazing with apples, chicken, or fall salads.

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp mayo or plain Greek yogurt
• Pinch of salt

Classic Caesar Dressing (No Raw Egg)—Rich, creamy, and kid-approved. Combine mayo, parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, minced garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Toss with romaine for the best Caesar salad ever — don’t forget the homemade croutons!

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (to taste)
• Pinch of salt + black pepper

Simple Olive Oil & Balsamic Dressing—The easiest of them all. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a little honey, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Use over mixed greens or drizzle over roasted vegetables.

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (for emulsifying, optional) I prefer it without. 
• 1  tsp honey 
• Pinch of salt + black pepper

Buttermilk Ranch (Better Than Store-Bought)—Creamy, herby, and perfect for dipping veggies or drizzling over favorite soups. Combine mayo, sour cream or Greek yogurt, buttermilk, and seasonings like dill, garlic powder, and onion powder. It tastes like the best homemade version of ranch — fresher and lighter than bottled.

• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 2–3 tbsp buttermilk (to thin to desired consistency)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp dried dill or parsley
• Pinch of salt + pepper

How to Store + Meal Prep Tips

• Homemade croutons last for a couple of weeks if stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature — moisture is the enemy of crunch.
• To freeze, spread them out on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to use, bake for 5 minutes at 350°F or warm them up in the air fryer.
• If they ever lose their crunch, you can revive them quickly by reheating on a baking sheet for 5 minutes — they’ll crisp right back up.

More Easy From-Scratch Swaps

If you love this homemade crouton recipe, you’ll love these other simple swaps that help you skip the boxed or bottled versions:

• Homemade Pancake Mix
• Freezer Waffles
• From-Scratch Broth

Each one uses real ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen — and they’re all featured in my Simple Swaps ebook, where I share my favorite easy replacements for common grocery staples.

Homemade is Worth It

Homemade croutons are one of those small kitchen joys — proof that even old bread and a drizzle of olive oil can turn into something special. Next time you have a few slices of bread sitting on the counter, give them new life as crispy, golden brown croutons. They’ll add that perfect crunch to your big salads, favorite soups, or even as a snack all on their own.

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If you make this recipe, please leave a rating on the recipe card below! I’d also love for you to tag me @autumn.chasingoursimple on Instagram so I can see what you’ve been baking!