Olive Oil Fried Croutons
Crispy, chewy, and salty! Learn how to make homemade fried croutons from rustic dinner bread, olive oil, and garlic. They take only a few minutes in a skillet on the stovetop. Great with sourdough, ciabatta, and other dinner breads. Perfect on soups and salads.
Servings 6
Calories 175kcal
Ingredients
- 6-8 oz crusty dinner bread
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Cut the crusts off the dinner bread and break it into irregular crouton sized pieces
- Heat the olive oil in your skillet over medium low. Add the garlic and saute until just beginning to color, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the bread pieces and spread them out in a single layer in the skillet, turning to coat the bread in the oil.
- Cook at a low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring as needed, until the croutons are golden brown and crisp on the outside. Adjust the heat if the croutons are browning too fast.
- Transfer the fried croutons to a towel lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
Notes
- Make ahead: Fried croutons are best eaten the day they are made. However, you can make them a few hours ahead. Or, if need be, reheat them to enjoy the croutons on a second day. To reheat, you can put them in a low oven for a few minutes or give them a quick saute in a skillet.
- Bread: Use a rustic country style dinner bread for the croutons. You want a bread which is sturdy enough to stand up to being torn and fried in oil.
- Variations: You can add a few sprigs of fresh herbs to the skillet as you saute (such as sage, rosemary, or thyme). Or you can sprinkle the finished croutons with your favorite spices (smoked paprika, cayenne, or a blend like Old Bay or cajun seasoning).
Nutrition
Calories: 175kcal