Yummy Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons

Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons

🥖✨ Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons — Crispy, Golden, and Totally Addictive

Warning: once you make these homemade butter garlic croutons, you’ll never look at a sad little bag of store‑bought cubes the same way again!

 

 

Let’s be honest: croutons are the unsung heroes of the salad bowl. They’re the crunchy little nuggets that make you forget you’re eating lettuce. They’re the golden cubes that turn a simple soup into a cozy masterpiece. And when they’re homemade? Oh, honey. That’s when the magic happens.

These Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons are everything you want them to be:

• Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside — the perfect texture balance.
• Buttery and garlicky — because flavor is life.
• Ridiculously easy — five ingredients, one pan, endless possibilities.
• Budget‑friendly — a genius way to use up leftover bread.

And let’s not forget the bragging rights. When you casually drop, “Oh, these croutons? I made them,” at dinner, people will look at you like you’re a culinary wizard. (Spoiler: you are.)

💬 Reader prompt: Do you eat croutons only in salads, or are you guilty of snacking on them straight from the pan?

I’ve been making homemade sourdough bread because my boys will eat it better than store bought. Some weeks we have leftovers, I try to use it before it goes bad I know that’s not always a thing, so instead of wasting the sourdough I decided to make croutons.

I love to have salad for lunch during the week and croutons are a must have topping for that! Give these bad boys a try!

 

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 loaf Sourdough Bread, cut into 1 inch Squares
• 1 stick of butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

 

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, evenly drizzle the butter over the bread chunks.  Then evenly sprinkle the garlic powder, salt and pepper over the bread.  Toss gently until well-combined.
3. Spread the bread cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Bake until golden, turning once halfway through cooking in order to brown all sides of the croutons.  Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the cubes, so watch to be sure that they do not burn. (Mine generally take between 20 to 30 minutes.)
5. Remove from oven, and let cool completely.  Use immediately, or store in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per ¼ Cup Serving)

• Calories: ~90
• Carbs: 10g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 150mg

💡 Note: Basically salad math that says, “Yes, you can have extra.”

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Sourdough Bread: Easier to digest + tangy flavor.
• Butter: Richness + satiety.
• Garlic Powder: Antioxidants + flavor bomb.
• Sea Salt: Minerals + balance.
• Black Pepper: A little kick + digestive benefits.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “real garlic cloves only” or team “garlic powder forever”?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

• Bread Matters: Sourdough is amazing, but French bread or ciabatta work too.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Spread cubes out for maximum crispiness.
• Flip Halfway: Ensures even golden edges.
• Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Extra Flavor: Add Parmesan or Italian seasoning for a twist.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Cheesy Croutons: Toss with grated Parmesan before baking.
• Herb Lovers: Add dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
• Spicy Kick: Sprinkle with chili flakes or cayenne.
• Sweet & Savory: Try cinnamon sugar for a dessert‑style crouton (yes, really).
• Kid‑Friendly: Use plain butter + a little salt for picky eaters.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — cheesy, herby, or spicy?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids tear the bread into chunks (rustic = cute).
• Serve croutons as “salad candy” to make greens more fun.
• Pack in lunchboxes as a crunchy snack.
• Let them sprinkle croutons on soup like edible confetti.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Bread Saver: Use day‑old bread — it crisps better and saves money.
• Butter Bulk: Freeze sticks when on sale.
• Seasoning Swap: Store‑brand garlic powder works just fine.
• Pan Trick: Line baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup.
• Double Batch: Make extra and freeze for later.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you buy bread fresh daily, or do you stash loaves in the freezer?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make a batch of Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons and use them in a dish other than salad. Maybe it’s soup, maybe it’s mac & cheese, maybe it’s just straight from the jar while watching Netflix. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsCroutonChallenge so we can all get inspired.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Crouton Breadcrumbs: Pulse in a food processor for homemade breadcrumbs.
• Crouton Stuffing: Toss into Thanksgiving stuffing for extra flavor.
• Crouton Topping: Sprinkle over baked mac & cheese.
• Crouton Snack Mix: Mix with nuts and pretzels for a savory snack.
• Crouton Crust: Crush and use as a coating for chicken or fish.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you rather use leftover croutons in stuffing or as a mac & cheese topping?

💭 Final Thoughts

These Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons are proof that the simplest recipes can bring the most joy. They’re crispy, buttery, garlicky, and versatile enough to upgrade any meal. Plus, they’re the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen rock star with minimal effort.

Here’s the thing about croutons — they’re never just croutons. They’re the crunch that makes a salad exciting, the golden cubes that turn soup into comfort food, the little bites of joy that make you sneak “just one more” from the pan.

And these homemade ones? They’re next‑level. They’re buttery, garlicky, and so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bought a bag. They’re the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked a secret — because once you taste them, you’ll never go back.

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring us together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about eating, it’s about sharing. It’s about swapping tips, laughing over bread‑tearing adventures, and building little traditions that make life tastier.

So here’s my challenge to you: make these croutons, share them with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you go cheesy? Did you sneak in chili flakes? Did you double the garlic just because you could? (No judgment — I’d be first in line for that version.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Homemade Staples Series” next? I’m dreaming up salad dressings, spice blends, and maybe even DIY granola.

Until then, may your croutons be golden, your garlic plentiful, your salads crunchy, and your kitchen filled with laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about food — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious.

Did you try this Homemade Butter Garlic Croutons recipe? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below!