Golden Sourdough Croutons Topping (Printable)

Golden sourdough cubes baked to crispy perfection, ideal for enhancing savory dishes.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 4 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, preferably day-old

→ Flavorings

02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme or herbes de Provence, optional
07 - 1/2 cup grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese, optional

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil or melted butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs if using.
03 - Add the sourdough cubes to the bowl and toss well until evenly coated.
04 - Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
06 - If desired, sprinkle grated cheese over the hot croutons and return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, until melted and bubbly.
07 - Let croutons cool slightly before using as a topper for French onion soup.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Takes stale bread and turns it into the most anticipated bite in your soup bowl.
  • Ready in 30 minutes and tastes like you've been fussing over it all day.
  • The tangy sourdough flavor plays beautifully against sweet caramelized onions without any fuss.
02 -
  • Day-old bread is essential—fresh bread releases moisture and turns into sad breadcrumbs rather than crispy croutons, a lesson I learned by ruining an entire batch.
  • Stirring halfway through might feel unnecessary, but it's the difference between golden-brown everywhere and pale spots that taste half-baked.
03 -
  • If your bread isn't quite day-old, slice it and leave it uncovered on the counter for a few hours to dry out—this prevents sogginess better than anything else.
  • The moment you smell them turning golden is your signal; wait 30 seconds too long and they'll tip from crispy to bitter, so stay close during the final minutes.
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