Best 3 Italian Salad Croutons Recipes

**Italian Salad Croutons: A Culinary Delight**

When it comes to adding a touch of extra flavor and texture to your favorite salads, Italian salad croutons are an absolute game-changer. These crispy, flavorful morsels are the perfect complement to a wide variety of salads, from classic Caesar to refreshing Greek. Whether you prefer them store-bought or homemade, this article has got you covered with various recipes to suit your preferences and dietary needs. Dive into our culinary journey as we explore the world of Italian salad croutons, unlocking the secrets to creating the perfect croutons that will elevate your salads to new heights. Discover classic recipes using white bread, innovative options like sourdough and whole wheat, and even gluten-free alternatives. Get ready to embark on a crispy and delicious adventure, transforming your salads into culinary masterpieces.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN STEAK SALAD WITH PARMESAN CROUTONS

Italian Steak Salad with Parmesan Croutons image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups grape tomatoes (1/2 cup whole, 1 1/2 cups halved)
1/2 small red onion (1/2 cut into chunks, 1/2 thinly sliced)
1/4 cup fresh basil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 pounds flank steak, halved lengthwise
3 cups torn Italian bread (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus shaved parmesan for topping
3 heads endive, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 head radicchio, torn
1 romaine lettuce heart, torn

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425˚. Combine the whole grape tomatoes, red onion chunks, basil and vinegar in a blender. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and blend until almost smooth. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing to a small bowl.
Place each steak half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound on both sides with the flat side of a meat mallet until 3/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons dressing. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the steak and sear until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
Meanwhile, toss the bread chunks with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately toss with the grated parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
Combine the endive, radicchio, romaine, halved grape tomatoes, sliced red onion and croutons in a large bowl; drizzle with the dressing and toss. Divide among plates and top with shaved parmesan. Thinly slice the steak and add to the salads.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 510, Fat 32 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Cholesterol 92 milligrams, Sodium 668 milligrams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 4 grams

SIMPLE ITALIAN SALAD

Simple Italian Salad image

Homemade croutons star in this easy Italian salad recipe, filled with grape tomatoes, olives and pepperoncinis. I like to serve it with fresh Italian or focaccia bread. —Nancy Granaman, Burlington, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

3 slices Italian bread, cubed
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 bunches romaine, torn
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
8 pepperoncini
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450°. For croutons, spritz bread cubes with butter-flavored spray; place in a bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder; toss to coat evenly. , Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine romaine, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan cheese, onion and pepperoncini. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 943mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

CROUTON SALAD

Crouton Salad image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1/2 (8-ounces) loaf rosemary bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes* see Cook's Note
Olive oil, for drizzling
3 cups packed arugula
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup Citrus-Herb Sauce, see Roasted Citrus-Herb Game Hen recipe
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the bread on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until toasted. Set aside to cool.
In a medium salad bowl, mix together the cooled croutons, arugula, and pine nuts. Add the Citrus-Herb Sauce. Toss well until all ingredients are coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
*Cook's Note: You can also use olive bread or any plain rustic loaf in place of the rosemary bread.

Tips:

Use stale bread: Stale bread is less likely to absorb too much oil or dressing, resulting in perfectly crispy croutons.

Cut the bread into uniform cubes: This will help them cook evenly.

Toss the croutons with oil, herbs, and spices before baking: This will give them a flavorful coating.

Spread the croutons out in a single layer on a baking sheet: This will help them crisp up evenly.

Bake the croutons at a high temperature: This will help them get crispy quickly.

Watch the croutons closely so they don't burn: They can go from perfectly crispy to burnt in a matter of minutes.

Let the croutons cool completely before storing: This will help them stay crispy.

Conclusion:

Italian salad croutons are a delicious and versatile addition to any salad. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little planning, you can have a batch of homemade croutons on hand whenever you need them.