Olive Oil Croutons

Inspired by techniques from America's Test Kitchen.

Croutons · Olive Oil · American

Cubes of white sandwich bread are tossed in olive oil and baked hot and fast until golden and crackling-crisp on the outside while staying light within. A simple pantry topping, they turn a bowl of soup or a green salad into something with real crunch.

Prep10 min
Cook10 min
Total20 min
DifficultyEasy
Per serving104 kcal
FreeVegetarian
Servings4Recipe makes 4
Allergens (EU 14)
GlutenCrustaceansEggsFishPeanutsSoybeansMilkTree nutsCeleryMustardSesameSulphitesLupinMolluscs

Always check the labels of the products you use.

Method

  1. 1

    Toss the bread. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 200 °C (180 °C fan). Put the bread cubes in a medium bowl, drizzle with the olive oil and toss well with a rubber spatula until every piece is coated. Add the salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Bake. Spread the croutons in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow baking dish. Bake, turning the croutons over halfway through, until golden brown and crisp, 8-10 min.

  3. 3

    Cool and store. Let the croutons cool on the sheet, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Once fully cool, they can be stored in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days.

Storage

Once fully cool, keep in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Free sugars

Sugar (daily guide)

0 g per serving

0 % of the 50 g daily maximum · 0 % of the ideal 25 g

Free sugars under 50 g a day, ideally about 25 g, based on WHO free-sugar guidance (not endorsed by WHO). The share shown is the share of one serving. WHO

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • medium bowl
  • rubber spatula
  • rimmed baking sheet

Nutrition per serving (estimated values)

Per servingAmount
Energy104 kcal
Protein2 g
Carbohydrate11.2 g
of which sugars1.3 g
of which free sugars0 g
Fat5.8 g
of which saturates0.8 g
Fibre0.6 g
Salt0.64 g

Protein per 100 kcal

1.9 g High Protein needs ≥ 5 g (20% of energy)

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values