**Savory and Crunchy: Discover the Delectable World of Baked Croutons and Their Versatile Culinary Delights**
Golden brown, crispy on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside, baked croutons are a culinary delight that adds an extra dimension of texture and flavor to salads, soups, and countless other dishes. Our collection of recipes takes you on a culinary journey, showcasing a variety of baked croutons that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. From classic buttery croutons to herb-infused variations and even gluten-free options, these recipes are sure to satisfy every palate. Get ready to elevate your culinary creations with the delightful crunch and savory flavors of homemade baked croutons.
**Recipes:**
1. **Classic Baked Croutons:**
- A timeless recipe that forms the foundation of many crouton-based dishes. Learn how to transform ordinary bread cubes into golden, buttery croutons that add a touch of elegance to salads, soups, and casseroles.
2. **Garlic Herb Baked Croutons:**
- Infused with the aromatic flavors of garlic, parsley, and a hint of thyme, these croutons bring a burst of savory goodness to any dish. Perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to salads, pasta dishes, and even roasted vegetables.
3. **Parmesan Cheese Baked Croutons:**
- The nutty and salty flavors of Parmesan cheese elevate these croutons to a whole new level. Sprinkle them over soups, stews, and pasta dishes for an extra layer of richness and texture.
4. **Lemon Pepper Baked Croutons:**
- A refreshing and zesty twist on classic croutons, these lemon pepper-infused croutons add a pop of citrusy brightness to salads, grilled fish, and chicken dishes.
5. **Gluten-Free Baked Croutons:**
- For those following a gluten-free diet, this recipe provides a delicious alternative to traditional croutons. Made with gluten-free bread, these croutons offer the same satisfying crunch and flavor without compromising on taste.
BAKED CROUTONS
The most basic croutons are baguette rounds brushed with melted butter and baked for a short time until golden.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes Bread Recipes
Yield Makes about 60
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly brush a baking sheet with butter. Place bread slices on sheet. Brush top of each slice with remaining butter.
- Toast in oven until crisp and golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer croutons to a wire rack. Let cool completely.
BAKED CHEESE CROUTONS
Serve one of these croutons with our Creamy Tomato Soup.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes Bread Recipes
Yield Makes 6
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bread slices on a baking sheet, and bake until slightly golden and dry, 10 to 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine cheeses, and sprinkle over bread slices. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 8 minutes. Serve immediately.
OVEN-BAKED PARMESAN CROUTONS
Categories Cheese Bake Quick & Easy Parmesan Gourmet
Yield Makes about 3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- In a shallow baking pan toss bread with oil. Toss bread with Parmesan and bake in middle of oven, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes, or until golden. Croutons keep in an airtight container at room temperature 1 week.
BROCCOLI SALAD WITH BAKED CROUTONS
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the salad: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Cut the broccoli heads into florets and then chop in bite-size pieces. Place in a large salad bowl.
- When the oven is preheated, place the prosciutto on the prepared baking sheet. Cut biscuit dough scraps into bite-size pieces and place them on a separate baking sheet. Bake the biscuit scraps for 10 minutes and the prosciutto for 15, turning the baking sheets after 7 minutes. Allow to cool, then break the prosciutto into small pieces.
- Add the onions and prosciutto pieces to the salad bowl and toss gently to distribute.
- For the dressing: In a small mixing bowl, add the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, chili paste, salt, pepper and garlic; whisk to combine. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the dressing emulsifies and thickens.
- Pour a little less than half of the dressing over the broccoli mixture, or add to taste; toss to coat evenly. Top with biscuit croutons just before serving.
Tips:
- Choose the right bread: Stale bread is best for croutons because it will be less likely to fall apart in the oven. A good choice is a day-old baguette or sourdough loaf.
- Cut the bread into small cubes: The smaller the cubes, the crispier the croutons will be. Aim for cubes that are about 1/2-inch in size.
- Toss the bread cubes with oil and seasonings: This will help the croutons to brown evenly and develop a flavorful crust. You can use any type of oil you like, but olive oil is a good choice. As for seasonings, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning are all popular options.
- Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet: This will ensure that they cook evenly. Don't overcrowd the baking sheet, or the croutons will steam instead of crisp up.
- Bake the croutons in a preheated oven: The ideal temperature for baking croutons is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the croutons for about 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Let the croutons cool completely before storing them: This will help them to stay crisp. Once they are cool, you can store the croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Conclusion:
Croutons are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups to casseroles. They are also a great way to use up leftover bread. With just a few simple steps, you can make your own delicious croutons at home. So next time you need a crunchy topping for your salad or soup, try making your own croutons. You won't be disappointed.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love