• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Delicious Table ® logo

  • All Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
    • July 4th Recipes, Memorial, & Labor Day Ideas
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve and Day
    • Superbowl Party & Game Day Food
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother's Day Recipes
  • Party Food
    • Cookout
    • Grill, BBQ, and Smoke Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Game Day Football Food
    • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Shop Kitchen Collection
  • About
    • Lisa Hatfield’s Bio
    • Work With Lisa
    • Press
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPE GUIDE
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT LISA
  • SHOP AMAZON
  • HOLIDAY RECIPES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPE GUIDE
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • ABOUT LISA
    • SHOP AMAZON
    • HOLIDAY RECIPES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Cheese Croutons

    Published: February 5, 2022 | Last Updated: June 3, 2022 | Lisa 1 Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    1.1K shares
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe

    Last Updated June 3rd, 2022 at 08:35 am by Lisa

    An ad for a parmesan baguette crouton recipe with them baked on a parchment lined baking sheet.Pin

    Make Croutons with a leftover baguette and simple ingredients in minutes. Serve with hot soup, chilled salad, or as a snack on a cheeseboard!

    We will also go through using different types of bread that have a short shelf life and all the amazing recipes and different ways you can use them in your cooking.

    The best way to make this baguette crouton recipe is to simply slice thick long diagonal slices of bread, dry out them overnight so they crisp up, shake them and the ingredients in a bag, bake, flip, and sprinkle with shaved parmesan cheese, and finish baking in the oven.

    And the next time you have half a baguette from your dinner party the best thing to do is use it in tonight's dinner. Whatever you do, don't throw it out!

    Absolutely addictive. Buttery, crisp, with melted parmesan cheese on top...

    Pin

    Why This Recipe Works...

    • Covered in melted butter and parmesan cheese. Need I say more?
    • Dip into hot soup or serve on a cheese board for a crowd.
    • A great way to use up day-old French baguettes.
    • Quickly slice up the bread and toss in a bag. EASY RECIPE.
    • Use sourdough baguette bread slices or sliced crusty baguettes.
    • Those crispy buttery golden edges are everything. Yum.
    • Use part of the entire baguette for croutons, but don't waste it!

    How To Make Croutons

    PRO TIP: Plan ahead by slicing the baguettes and letting them dry overnight so the croutons get nice and crisp. If you have a leftover baguette, slice it BEFORE it becomes rock-hard and un-sliceable.

    Delicious Table logo
    Join Our List

    And receive a free Cookout Party Planner as our thank you!

    1. Use a serrated knife to cut the fresh baguette.
    2. Cut into long diagonal thin slices about ¼" thick.
    3. Set on a parchment lined baking sheet.
    4. And dry overnight to get them crisp.
    Pin

    Bake The Croutons

    The next day or once the baguette slices are dry, melt butter. In a large ziplock plastic bag, combine the baguette slices, melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. Set shaved parmesan aside for later.

    Shake the bag to coat the baguette slices.

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

    Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper, and spread the slices out in a single layer, giving them space in between.

    Bake 10 minutes until slightly golden brown and crisp.

    Flip the croutons over and sprinkle shaved parmesan on top of each one. Bake 5-10 more minutes until parmesan cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.

    Storing Croutons

    Remove the croutons from the hot oven, cool on the counter. Freeze them in an airtight container or airtight freezer bag. They are good for up to 3 months in the freezer.

    Pin

    How To Use Leftover Baguettes FAQ

    There are so many different ways and amazing recipes to use up leftover bread loaves, slices of bread, or baguettes.

    The good news is that you can still use that stale loaf of bread, various sliced bread, or breadcrumbs in so many ways.

    Pin
    What can I do with a leftover baguette?


    Baguettes come home golden and chewy and then turn rock hard solid so fast. Don't throw them out, try one of these delicious recipes.

    Croutons - slice in long thin shards, toss in butter cheese and parmesan, and toast for soup and salad croutons.

    Panzanella - use cubes of baguette for an Italian bread salad. Panzanella is a salad made out of bread, tomatoes, onions, and other ingredients.

    Breakfast Cheese Strata - use pieces to bake up a bubbly breakfast casserole and a perfect dish to feed a crowd. Stratas are made in a baking dish loaded with bread cheese, and breakfast meats like sausage, and can have mushrooms, bell peppers, and other ingredients.

    Top French Onion Soup - tear small pieces on top with melted gruyere cheese, and toast under the broiler.

    Crostini - slice long pieces, rub with peeled garlic cloves, drizzle on olive oil, and toast for crostini. Add toppings you love like tapenade, charcuterie sliced meats, dips, and cheeses.

    Thicken Soup & Stews - use torn toasted bread as a thickening agent in blended soups and stews.

    Bruschetta - thick slices of bread grilled, rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, often topped with tomatoes and herbs, and usually served as an appetizer.

    What are the best leftover or stale bread recipes?


    Day-old bread, stale slices, or an entire loaf can all be used in creating delicious recipes. Here are some of the most popular ways to use day-old bread.

    Bread Pudding - use small bread pieces of Challah or Brioche for this bread-based dessert popular in many countries' cuisines. Made with stale bread and milk or cream, generally containing eggs, a form of fat such as oil, butter, or suet, and depending on whether the pudding is sweet or savory, a variety of other ingredients. 

    French Toast - make the best french toast try Texas toast, leftover cinnamon bread, slightly stale day-old sourdough bread, brioche bread, French bread, or challah.

    Dressing or Stuffing - a favorite Thanksgiving dish, use up a loaf of French Bread in addition to the cornbread. The larger pieces of bread crisp up while baking and add a wonderful texture to the stuffing. Foccacia is also amazing as it is so well seasoned.


    What To Do With Homemade Bread Crumbs?

    Crumbs - run through a food processor to use in meatballs, top baked macaroni, coat chicken schnitzel, or fried foods like chicken nuggets.

    Italian Bread Crumbs - are added to a variety of different recipes, including meatballs, pasta, burgers, and schnitzels. They're simply regular bread crumbs with Italian seasonings like oregano and basil. They also contain salt, pepper, parsley flakes, and garlic and onion powders.

    Meatballs & Meatloaf - create homemade breadcrumbs, soak in milk and mix into use in either meatballs or meatloaf to help bind the ground meat mixture from falling apart while baking.

    Apple Brown Betty - is a traditional American dessert made from fruit and sweetened crumbs. Similar to a cobbler or apple crisp, the fruit is baked, and, in this case, the sweetened crumbs are placed in layers between the fruit. It is usually served with lemon sauce or whipped cream.

    Pin
    Square white bowl with cheese soup and a large crouton on top.Pin

    Ways To Enjoy Parmesan Cheese Croutons

    • With a chilled wedge salad
    • Dip into tapenade
    • As a snack with cool drinks
    • Stack on a beautiful cheese board
    • Plate with a creamy spreadable dip
    • Next to a bowl of creamy soup or stew

    Try these parmesan-topped Baguette Croutons with my Famous Cheese Soup recipe or any creamy soups you love.

    Cheese Soup Recipe
    An easy classic famous Cheese Soup Recipe that is so creamy, has simple ingredients, and extraordinarily deep rich flavors. Serve with croutons. Serve with crispy croutons. Famously served at The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas in the 1886 Bakery and Cafe.
    GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
    White bowl filled with cheese soup and a homemade crouton on top.Pin

    Leftover Baguette Recipes

    Here are some of my recipes to use stale baguette recipes and bread in other recipes. Use up a large load of French bread in this Sheet Pan Chicken, Italian bread crumbs in some homemade Turkey Meatballs, or make bread toasts for Fall or Spring Crostini with cocktails.

    • A white platter filled with sheet pan chicken dinner including lemons, potatoes, and croutons.
      Sheet Pan Chicken
    • A rustic table with small bowls filled with toppings for a fall appetizer crostini bar.
      Fall Crostini Bar
    • A white platter with crostini recipe topped with edible flowers and herbs.
      Spring Crostini Appetizers
    • A red Italian bowl with hot pasta, sauce and turkey meatballs topped with shaved parmesan cheese.
      Baked Turkey Meatballs

    CRAVING MORE?

    Get my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more Delicious Table recipes!

    Cheese topped croutons on a parchment lined baking sheet.Pin
    Print Pin Recipe

    Croutons ~ Plus Leftover Baguette Recipes

    Serve with hot soup, chilled salad, as a snack, or on a cheese board, these croutons are made in minutes with baguette, butter, spices and parmesan cheese.
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 48 croutons
    Calories 41kcal
    Author Lisa Hatfield

    Equipment

    Large Metal Sheet Pan
    Parchment Paper Sheets
    Small Serrated Knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 baguette sliced thin let slices dry out
    • ½ cup melted butter 1 stick
    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
    • 2-3 oz shaved parmesan cheese
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • PRO TIP: Plan ahead by slicing the baguettes and letting them dry overnight so the croutons get nice and crisp. If you have a leftover baguette, slice it BEFORE it becomes rock-hard and un-sliceable.
    • Use a serrated knife to cut the fresh baguette. Cut into long diagonal thin slices about ¼" thick. Set on a parchment lined baking sheet.And dry overnight to get them crisp.
    • The next day or once the baguette slices are dry, melt butter. In a large ziplock plastic bag, combine the baguette slices, melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. Set shaved parmesan aside for later.
    • Preheat oven to 375.
    • Shake the bag to coat the baguette slices.
    • Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper, spread the slices out in a single layer, giving them space in between.
    • Bake 10 minutes until slightly golden brown and crisp.
    • Flip the croutons over and sprinkle shaved parmesan on top of each one.
    • Bake 5-10 more minutes until parmesan cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
    • Remove the croutons from the hot oven, cool on the counter. Freeze them in an airtight container or airtight freezer bag. They are good for up to 3 months in the freezer.
    • Serve with soup, salad, as a snack, or on a cheese board.

    Notes

    slice ahead

    Plan ahead to slice the baguette and dry overnight to get the croutons nice and crisp.

    bread

    Use a new or day-old baguette loaf of bread.

    Leftover Baguette Recipe Ideas

    Baguettes come home golden and chewy and then turn rock hard solid so fast. Don't throw them out, try one of these delicious recipes.
    Panzanella - use cubes of baguette for an Italian bread salad. Panzanella is a salad made out of bread, tomatoes, onions, and other ingredients.
    Breakfast Cheese Strata - use pieces to bake up a bubbly breakfast casserole and a perfect dish to feed a crowd. Stratas are made in a baking dish loaded with bread cheese, breakfast meats like sausage, and can have mushrooms, bell peppers, and other ingredients.
    Top French Onion Soup - tear small pieces on top with melted gruyere cheese, and toast under the broiler.
    Crostini - slice long pieces, rub with peeled garlic cloves, drizzle on olive oil, and toast for crostini. Add toppings you love like tapenade, charcuterie sliced meats, dips, and cheeses.
    Thicken Soup & Stews - use torn toasted bread as a thickening agent in blended soups and stews.
    Bruschetta - thick slices of bread grilled, rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, often topped with tomatoes and herbs, and usually served as an appetizer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 48g | Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 77IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
    Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danielle says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:46 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite bites to make to enjoy with a glass of wine. Make sure you have plenty of pieces at the ready if you plan to have friends over because they go fast. I have also used bread rounds and made really long strips which look even fancier. 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    MEET LISA

    Hey Everyone! Let's throw a party in my Southern California kitchen. My favorite things include delicious food, travel adventures, and relaxing days by the pool. ♥

    Find out more →

    FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    MOST POPULAR RECIPES

    • Ripe cherry tomatoes on a green stem just picked from a garden.
      Cherry Tomato Recipes
    • A white platter filled with crispy chicken wings and one dipping into buffalo sauce.
      Crispy Chicken Wings
    • A square collage of colorful grilled food, side dishes, desserts, and drink recipes to serve at an outdoor bbq cookout.
      75+ Cookout Recipes & BBQ Party Ideas
    • A small clear jar filled with sun dried tomatoes on a table with scattered dried tomatoes all around the table.
      How To Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    • A white casserole dish with oven roasted pulled pork shredded and ready to eat in tacos or a recipe for dinner.
      Oven Roasted Pulled Pork
    • A pink and white cake with buttercream flowers on a cake plate with glasses of pink champagne at a bridal shower.
      50+ Bridal Shower Food Ideas

    ALL READER FAVES ►

    FALL & HALLOWEEN PARTY RECIPES

    • A large glass jar filled with a Fall Snack Mix with candy corn and M&Ms with a small bowl of it nearby.
      Fall Snack Mix
    • A Halloween gingerbread house decorated with royal icing and candy in orange, black, and white candy with a ghost opening the front door.
      Halloween Gingerbread House
    • A Halloween candy board on a black tray loaded with cute candy for a party including pumpkins, licorice, mints, lollipops and gummy candy.
      Halloween Candy Board
    • A black platter filled with Halloween deviled eggs sprinkled with black sesame seeds.
      Halloween Deviled Eggs
    • A large Halloween Charcuterie cheeseboard loaded with stacks of crackers, cut and sliced meats, nuts, and Halloween candy for a Halloween party.
      Halloween Charcuterie Board
    • A Halloween party with candy corn martinis and a small black dish of candy corn nearby.
      Candy Corn Martinis
    • Two Halloween black drinks make with black vodka garnished with 3 red maraschino cherries and a black spider.
      Halloween Black Martinis
    • Three glasses of Aperol Spritz on a table with appetizers at a Fall party.
      Autumn Aperol Spritz
    • A baked loaf of pumpkin bread sliced thick with a silver knife.s
      Pumpkin Bread

    Footer

    Most Popular "Reader Favorite" Recipes

    Ripe cherry tomatoes on a green stem just picked from a garden.

    Cherry Tomato Recipes

    A white platter filled with crispy chicken wings and one dipping into buffalo sauce.

    Crispy Chicken Wings

    A square collage of colorful grilled food, side dishes, desserts, and drink recipes to serve at an outdoor bbq cookout.

    75+ Cookout Recipes & BBQ Party Ideas

    A small clear jar filled with sun dried tomatoes on a table with scattered dried tomatoes all around the table.

    How To Make Sun Dried Tomatoes

    A white casserole dish with oven roasted pulled pork shredded and ready to eat in tacos or a recipe for dinner.

    Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

    A pink and white cake with buttercream flowers on a cake plate with glasses of pink champagne at a bridal shower.

    50+ Bridal Shower Food Ideas

    A clear glass bowl filled with tri color cole slaw and wooden tongs stuck in the slaw.

    Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

    Tea sandwiches stacked on a 3 tiered glass tray at a tea party with assorted fillings and flavors.

    Tea Sandwiches

    A white casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes and squares of melted butter on top.

    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    A football shaped cheese ball coated with crumbled bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese and white cheese to look like laces on the football surrounded by crackers on a platter.

    75+ Football Food Recipes

    Dozens of pictures of 200 Halloween recipes including adult drinks, appetizers, treats, snacks, desserts for kids and families all with a Halloween theme.

    200+ Best Halloween Recipes

    A large jar filled with apple pie filling with a lid and bow.

    Apple Pie Recipe Filling

    A wood bowl with green avocado salsa taco sauce and blue corn tortilla chips on the table.

    Avocado Salsa

    A large glass clamp jar filled with pickled eggs, fresh jalapeno slices, and spices.

    Jalapeno Pickled Eggs

    Showing how to remove seeds from roasted Hatch Chiles to use them in recipes.

    Hatch Chiles (80+ Recipes)

    A person pulling a dill pickle chip out of a clear glass canning jar of homemade pickles.

    Refrigerator Dill Pickles

    A white long plate with a stack of fried green tomatoes with remoulade and buttermilk ranch dressing.

    Fried Green Tomatoes

    A large pork loin roast with a lot of dry rub seasoning pouring over the top.

    The Best BBQ Dry Rub

    Mexican pickled red onions in a clamp jar and white bowl with chiles and limes on a colorful striped cloth.

    Mexican Pickled Red Onions

    A white ceramic dog dish that says woof filled with homemade dog food.

    Homemade Dog Food Recipe

    A white plate filled with heart shaped lobster ravioli garnished with parsley.

    Lobster Ravioli

    Three golden crispy edged hash browns baked in a muffin tin on cutting board.

    Oven Baked Hash Browns

    A red bowl with fluffy vanilla frosting ready to frost a cake.

    Fluffy Buttercream Frosting

    A large white spoon scooping a serving of cowboy baked beans out of a casserole dish.

    Cowboy Beans

    More Delicious Recipes

    AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER

    As an Amazon Associate and Affiliate Marketer, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a product affiliate link on Delicious Table and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you, ever!  I own every cooking product I recommend and love how they perform. Happy Cooking! Lisa XO

    PLEASE FOLLOW US!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Reader Faves!

    Ripe cherry tomatoes on a green stem just picked from a garden.

    Cherry Tomato Recipes

    A white platter filled with crispy chicken wings and one dipping into buffalo sauce.

    Crispy Chicken Wings

    A square collage of colorful grilled food, side dishes, desserts, and drink recipes to serve at an outdoor bbq cookout.

    75+ Cookout Recipes & BBQ Party Ideas

    Copyright © 2023 ♥︎ Delicious Table ® ♥︎ Privacy policy ♥︎ Accessibility Statement