Homemade croutons are one of the easiest way to use up leftover stale bread. Easy to make, crispy croutons are great addition to soups in winter or salads in summer.
2-3tspseasoning of your choice - garlic powder, dried herbs, onion powder, smokey paprika, chili powder
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180° C.
Cut up the loaf of bread into 1 - 1.5 cm thick slices, then into same size cubes. Alternatively, for a more rustic look, tear the bread into chunks of similar size.
Place the bread cubes into a bowl, drizzle olive oil or melted butter and toss to combine.
Add salt, pepper and seasonings, mix well
Spread onto baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 10 minutes, mix, then bake for further 5-10 minutes until golden.
Use immediately or cool completely before storing.
Notes
If using a frying pan, bake in batches mixing occasionally until golden all over. You can add oil to the pan instead of drizzling it over bread cubes.Baking time will depend on the type of bread as well as the cube sizes. White yeast bread will bake quicker than sourdough.For Panzanella tear or cube the leftover bread into larger, bite-size chunks.