Croutons ~ Plus Leftover Baguette Recipes

Cheese topped croutons on a parchment lined baking sheet.

5 from 1 vote

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 Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crouton recipe, croutons, homemade croutons

Servings: croutons

Calories: 41kcal

Author: Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

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