Homemade Croutons

 

Homemade Croutons

 

The other day I splurged at Panera.  I bought a delicious loaf of Asiago Bread.  Oh man!  It was wonderful and made delicious sandwiches with turkey, honey mustard, and lettuce/tomato.  (I need to further my quest for being able to make this AT HOME MY WAY!) 

I had a few slices left that were a little TOO crusty and stale, but I just couldn't let that wonderful sharp cheesy bread go to waste.  I decided to cut it into cubes and toast it into croutons.  This way my bread would never need to be tossed out.  It would forever be in the holding pattern for bread that is known as Homemade Croutons. Ha!

Homemade Croutons are super easy!  This bread already had plenty of flavor so I didn't butter it, drizzle it with oil or season it in any way.  I just cubed the bread, spread on a baking pan and baked until crunchy.

These croutons will go great with a fresh green salad and some Homemade Ranch Dressing.  They would also go wonderfully tossed into a hot bowl of soup, either homemade or canned.

Here's how I make Homemade Croutons AT HOME MY WAY:

Homemade Croutons

 

• Any bread or any type buns nearing the end of its life
• Butter/margarine/oil - (optional)
• Seasonings like garlic powder, italian seasings, onion powder, etc. (also optional)

Instructions:  Preheat oven to 350°.  If using margarine/butter, spread on slices of bread/buns.  Using kitchen scissors/shears, cut the bread into cubes.  If using oil, toss the bread cubes in a little drizzle of oil (I do this in a big bowl).  Sprinkle with seasonings of your choice.  Bake until toasting nicely.  Remove from oven.  Cool completely before placing in a jar for storing.