Garlic-Rubbed Croutons

Crispy, buttery croutons rubbed with fresh garlic, perfect for adding crunch to salads.

• Prep5 min
• Cook15 min
• Total25 min
• DifficultyEasy
• Servings4

These homemade croutons are a simple way to elevate any salad. Made from day-old baguette slices brushed with melted butter and baked until golden, then rubbed with fresh garlic while still warm, they offer a perfect balance of crunch and flavor.

They come together in about 25 minutes with minimal effort, using just three ingredients. The key is to use day-old bread for the best texture and to rub the garlic onto the warm croutons so the flavor infuses evenly.

Ingredients

Metric (g, ml, °C)US (cups, oz, °F)

Servings −

4

+

• 24 slices day-old baguette slices (1/4-inch-thick)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves medium garlic cloves, halved

Converted amounts are rounded.

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Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Brush both sides of each slice with the melted butter.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, turning the slices halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp.
5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the croutons cool slightly, just until they are warm to the touch.
6. Rub the cut sides of the garlic cloves over the warm croutons on both sides, so the garlic flavor is absorbed.
7. Let the croutons cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.

💡 Tips

• Use day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread may become too soft.
• Store cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• For extra flavor, add dried herbs like oregano or thyme to the melted butter before brushing.

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Inspired by a recipe from Food & Wine