Home-made beat store-bought croutons every time. They are nearly as easy as toast to make, and fresh ingredients will make your croutons delicious.

PARMESAN CROUTONS

Ingredients

• 1 cup of grated parmesan
• 1/2 tsp black pepper or your favorite dried herb, optional

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2
Spoon tablespoons of parmesan onto a parchment lined baking sheet and lightly pat down, spacing the spoonfuls about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with pepper or herbs, if using.

Step 3
Bake for 5-8 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool completely and serve

POLENTA CROUTONS

Ingredients

• 16-18  oz tube of precooked polenta, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme, parsley or oregano

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Step 2

In a bowl, toss cubed polenta, olive oil, salt, pepper and dried thyme until completely covered. 

Step 3

Place polenta onto the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 425 for 30-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until polenta cubes are browned on both sides.

GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS 

Ingredients

• 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices country white bread
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 ounces Gruyere or Cheddar cheese, grated

Step 1

Heat a panini grill or skillet. 

Step 2

Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruyere, buttered sides up. 

Step 3
Grill the sandwiches for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until nicely browned.  Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute and cut into 1-inch cubes. 

CRISPY, CRUNCHY CROUTONS

Ingredients

• Day old French bread
• Olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Step 1 

Tear bread into bite-sized cubes.

Step 2

Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper

Step 3.

Scatter on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes til golden. Tossing once mid-way through. Enjoy.

TOFU CROUTONS

Ingredients 

• 1/2 lbs firm tofu
• 2 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• Salt

Step 1

Wrap tofu in paper towels, place in colander, and press with bowl and weights to squeeze out extra liquid for up to half an hour.

Step 2
Cut tofu into cubes, and dust in cornstarch.

Step 3
Pour the oil into a pre-heated saute pan over medium high heat. Working in batches, if needed, fry the tofu for 5 to 6 minutes, until golden and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the tofu and place on paper towels.
Season with salt.