Make Gluten‐Free Croutons

If you're looking to cut gluten from your diet but you don't want to cut croutons from your salads, make your own gluten-free croutons. Start by cubing your favorite gluten-free bread. Toss the cubes in melted butter or olive oil and season the cubes with dried herbs, salts, or cheese. You can then saute the croutons in a skillet until they're browned or bake them in the oven until they're crisp. Let your gluten-free croutons cool completely before you use or store them.

Ingredients

Skillet Toasted Herb Croutons (Gluten Free)

• 2 cups (70 g) cubed gluten-free bread
• 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried herbs
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
• Kosher salt

Makes 4 servings

Oven Toasted Herb Croutons (Gluten Free)

• 4 cups (140 g) cubed fresh gluten-free bread
• 3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 pinch of dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 pinch salt

Makes 8 servings

Oven Toasted Parmesan Croutons (Gluten Free)

• 1 loaf (about 4 cups or 140 g) gluten-free sandwich bread
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons dried herbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Makes 8 servings

Steps

Making Skillet Toasted Herb Croutons (Gluten Free)

1. Toss the bread cubes with butter or olive oil. Place 2 cups (70 g) of gluten-free bread cubes into a mixing bowl. Pour 2 tablespoons of melted butter or olive oil over the cubes. Use your fingers or a spoon to gently combine the bread with the butter or oil.
   • The cubes should be coated with the oil or butter. Depending on your bread, you may need to drizzle a little extra butter or oil to lightly coat them.
2. Season the cubes. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried herbs and 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder over the bread cubes. You can also sprinkle a little kosher salt to taste. Gently stir the cubes, so they become coated with the seasoning. Some good choices for dried herbs include:
   • Parsley
   • Oregano
   • Sage
   • Rosemary
3. Saute the gluten-free croutons. Melt 1 teaspoon of butter or olive in in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the seasoned bread cubes. Keep stirring and cooking the bread cubes for several minutes. The croutons should become golden and crispy on the outside. Transfer the croutons to a plate to cool.
   • You can store the croutons in an airtight container for up to a day.

Making Oven Toasted Herb Croutons (Gluten Free)

1. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking sheet. Turn the oven on to 325 degrees F (160 C). Get out a baking sheet and spray it with extra virgin olive oil spray. If you don't have spray, you could use a pastry brush to brush a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil over the sheet pan.
2. Coat the bread cubes with oil. Put 4 cups (140 g) of fresh, gluten-freed bread cubes onto the baking sheet. Pour 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the cubes. Use your fingers or a spoon to toss the bread and oil so the cubes are evenly coated.
   • You can drizzle another tablespoon of oil, if the bread absorbs most of the oil.
3. Season the bread cubes. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt, 1 pinch salt, and 1 pinch of dried oregano over the bread cubes. Toss the seasonings and bread cubes until the cubes are evenly coated with the seasonings.
4. Bake the gluten-free croutons for 20 minutes. Spread the cubes out into a single layer on the baking sheet. Put the sheet in the preheated oven and bake the croutons for 10 minutes. Stir the croutons and return them to the oven. Bake the croutons for another 6 to 10 minutes. They should turn dark golden brown. Cool the croutons before serving them.
   • You can store the croutons in an airtight container once they've cooled completely. Store the croutons for up to one day.

Making Oven Toasted Parmesan Croutons (Gluten Free)

1. Cut the bread into cubes and preheat the oven. Turn the oven on to 250 degrees F (120 C). Get out 1 loaf of gluten-free sandwich bread. Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into large cubes. Put the bread cubes into a large mixing bowl.
   • You'll need about 4 cups (140 g) of bread cubes from the loaf.
2. Season the cubes with herbs, oil, and cheese. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of olive oil over the bread cubes and stir them well so the cubes are coated. Stir in 1/2 cup (50 g) of grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of dried herbs, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
   • Consider using a mix of dried herbs (like oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, or poultry seasoning).
3. Bake the croutons for up to one hour. Spread the seasoned bread cubes on the prepared baking sheet so the cubes are in a single layer. Put the sheet in the oven and bake the croutons for 45 to 60 minutes. You may want to stir the croutons once or twice if they look like they're browning quickly. Remove the croutons and let them cool before you use them.
   • You can store the cooled croutons in an airtight container for 5 to 6 days. Keep in mind that they'll become harder the longer you store them.

Things You'll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Digital scale
• Large skillet
• Spoon
• Pastry brush
• Serrated knife
• Baking sheet

Sources and Citations

See also

• Make Cheesy Bread
• Make Oatmeal Bread
• Make Squaw Bread
• Make a Traditional Jewish Style Deli Water Bagel
• Make Bhatura
• Make Bread
• Make Irish Soda Bread
• Make Bread Bowls
• Make Crumpets
• Make a Microwave Simple Bread

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