Description
Crispy and flavorful homemade sourdough croutons infused with garlic, mixed seeds, and fresh parsley. Perfect for adding a delightful crunch to soups or salads with a simple oven-baked method.
Ingredients
Scale
Croutons
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 thick slices sourdough bread
- ½ tbsp oil (olive oil recommended)
- 1 tbsp mixed seeds (such as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) or gas mark 7 to ensure it is hot enough for baking the croutons to a golden crisp.
- Prepare Garlic Bread: Rub the whole garlic clove over both sides of the sourdough bread slices to infuse the bread with subtle garlic flavor before cutting.
- Tear and Toss: Tear the garlic-rubbed bread into rough chunks. In a mixing bowl, toss the bread chunks with ½ tablespoon of oil, a good pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of mixed seeds to evenly coat.
- Bake Croutons: Spread the bread pieces out evenly on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until they turn golden brown and become crisp.
- Add Parsley: Once baked, remove from the oven and mix in 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley for a burst of freshness and color.
- Serve: Sprinkle the homemade croutons over soups or salads to add crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Use thick slices of good quality sourdough bread for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust baking time slightly if your oven runs hot or if you prefer softer croutons.
- Experiment with different mixed seeds like flaxseeds or chia for varied nutritional benefits.
- Parsley can be substituted with other fresh herbs such as thyme or basil depending on your preference.
- Store cooled croutons in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Snack/Side
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western/European
Keywords: homemade croutons, sourdough croutons, garlic croutons, oven-baked croutons, salad topping, soup garnish
