Once you make these homemade vegan croutons, you’ll never buy the store-bought kind again. Not only are they easy to make and customize, but they’re significantly cheaper too.
It’s also an ideal way to use up stale bread. Simply cut into cubes, toss with olive oil and spices, and bake until crispy and golden brown.
Making homemade croutons is an excellent way to reduce waste as well. After all, store-bought croutons are traditionally packaged in single-use plastic — but if you use paper or cloth bags to fresh bread from the store, you can essentially make low-waste croutons.
Enjoy this easy vegan crouton recipe with your favorite soups and salad. Personally, we love pairing these croutons with our Cheesy Vegan Broccoli Soup and Vegan Cobb Salad with Bacon Bits.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Stale bread. Crusty bread works best, but you can use any day-old bread you have on hand. Sour dough and French bread are popular choices.
- Olive oil. You can also use melted vegan butter.
- Spices and seasonings. Customize your homemade vegan croutons by using your favorite dried herbs, spices, and seasonings. The sky’s the limit!
How to Make Vegan Croutons
This recipe is ready in about 20 minutes. For the full ingredients list and recipe, check out the recipe card at the end of this post:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a small bowl, combine the seasonings.
2. Add the cubed bread to a large bowl. Toss with olive oil until all of the bread is lightly coated.
3. Add the mixture of seasonings and toss well.
4. Place the cubed bread on the baking sheet in a single, even layer.
5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, tossing once halfway.
6. Let cool. Serve with salad, soup, or as a savory snack.
Recipe Tips, Variations, and Substitutions
- Cut the bread into equal-sized cubes. To ensure the croutons cook evenly, try to cut the bread into equal-sized pieces.
- Use gluten-free bread. To make this recipe gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free bread.
- Switch up the dried herbs. Try this vegan crouton recipe with other dried herbs like rosemary, oregano, or thyme.
- Use melted butter. No oil? No problem. Toss the croutons in melted plant-based butter instead.
- Add some heat. For an extra kick, add dried pepper flakes or paprika.
- Toss with vegan Parmesan. Add grated vegan Parmesan for a cheesy taste.
- Watch the croutons. Remember, every oven is different. Keep an eye out on the croutons to make sure they don’t burn.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover croutons in an air-tight jar in a cool, dry place. Enjoy the croutons within one week.
Serving Suggestions
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette — Add a crunch to this vibrant spring salad.
- Creamy Pumpkin Soup — This fall soup is creamy, comforting, and full of flavor.
- Cauliflower Rice Stuffed Peppers — Garnish your next batch of stuffed peppers with herby croutons.
Homemade Vegan Croutons
Ingredients
- 6 cups stale bread cubed
- 6 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Add the cubed bread to a large bowl. Toss with olive oil until all of the bread is lightly coated.
- Add the mixture of seasonings and toss well.
- Place the cubed bread on the baking sheet in a single, even layer.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, tossing once halfway.
- Let cool. Serve with salad, soup, or as a savory snack.
Notes
- To ensure the croutons cook evenly, try to cut the bread into equal-sized pieces.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free bread.
- For an extra kick, add dried pepper flakes or paprika.
- Remember, every oven is different. Keep an eye out on the croutons to make sure they don’t burn.
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One of the Best Crunchiest meal topper!!!!!