If you want the easiest way to upgrade any salad or soup, these croissant croutons need to be on your radar. They're buttery, crispy, and take just 10 minutes in the oven, making them the kind of simple kitchen win you need!
If your goal is to eat more salads, the secret is simple: don't make them boring. These croissant croutons add buttery crunch and instant flavor, so your bowl feels fresh, fun, and actually satisfying.
As a registered dietitian, I love showing you simple ways to build flavor and make everyday meals feel more enjoyable.
They pair perfectly with produce-forward salads, cozy soups for weeknights, and even brunch boards when you want an easy homemade touch.
Life is too short to not add flavor, so check out my creamy apple cider vinaigrette for another easy way to brighten up your salads.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Insanely easy recipe: They're ready fast, which helps you pull together last-minute lunches or weeknight dinners without stress.
- Simple ingredients: They add big flavor using a simple spice combo you probably already have on hand.
- Perfect crunchy bites: These artisan croutons stay crisp and sturdy, so they hold up in Caesar salads, on soups, or just as a poppable snack!
For more easy side ideas to round out your meals, try my maple bourbon carrots or polenta cornbread.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make a batch of these crisp, flavorful croutons.
- Croissants: I usually grab the everyday multipack croissants because they're easy to slice and crisp evenly, but mini or big bakery-style croissants work just as well.
- Olive oil: A light drizzle of olive oil helps those flaky layers toast up to golden perfection! You can absolutely use a flavored oil too, like from my favorite local Georgia brand, Benissimo.
- Seasonings: I keep it simple with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, because croissants already bring plenty of buttery flavor so there's no need to overdo it.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are a few fun ways to make these croutons your own.
- You can use butter instead of olive oil when you want croissant croutons that taste extra rich and buttery.
- Fresh garlic works as a swap for garlic powder, but keep the amount small so your croissant croutons don't burn before they crisp.
- A little Cajun seasoning or hot honey brings warm spice to your croissant croutons, giving every salad or soup a Southern-style kick.
- Classic ranch seasoning gives them a herby and nostalgic, especially if you love the flavor of dried dill, garlic, and onion.
- For an Italian cheesy flavor, toss cubes with rosemary and finely grated parmesan cheese.
How To Make These Easy Crisp Croutons
Here's how to bring these croissant croutons together so they bake up perfectly crisp every time.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Step 2: Slice croissants into bite-size cubes (about 1-inch pieces), aiming for even cuts so everything cooks at the same speed.
Step 3: Toss the cubed croissants with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until every piece is lightly coated.
Step 4: Spread the seasoned croissant pieces evenly across your baking sheet so they crisp instead of steam.
Step 5: Bake for 5 minutes, toss, and bake another 3-5 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown and crisp.
Step 6: Let the croissant croutons cool completely so they finish crisping and hold their crunch when stored or added to salads.
Tips For the Best Toasted Croissant Croutons
These simple tips help your croissant croutons turn out extra crunchy and delicious every time you make them.
- Use day-old croissants if you have them, which makes cutting easier and helps them crisp faster.
- These bake quickly, so keep a close eye on the edges, especially during the last few minutes, because croissants brown faster than regular bread.
- For air fryer fans, cook at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Let them cool fully before storing! Warm croutons soften quickly in containers.
- You can easily double or triple the recipe if you're prepping for a big crowd! Just spread the cubes across multiple baking sheets so they crisp evenly.
Storage
Here's how to keep your crispy croutons fresh!
- Leftovers: Store cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If they soften, re-crisp in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes.
FAQ
Yes! Slightly stale croissants actually work great because they crisp faster and cut more cleanly.
If you can find gluten-free croissants, the method works the same. Just watch them closely so they don't brown too quickly.
Yes, you can prep croissant croutons a day or two in advance. Just store them at room temperature and re-crisp stale croutons at 300°F for a few minutes so they taste freshly made.
They can soften a little quicker because croissants have more buttery layers, but keeping them fully cooled and tossing them into salads right before serving helps croissant croutons stay crisp and light.
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Thank you!
Jessie
Easy Herbed Croissant Croutons Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 regular-sized croissants
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Slice croissants into bite-size cubes (about 1 inch pieces). Aim for even pieces so everything cooks at the same speed.
- Toss cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until coated.
- Spread evenly on your baking sheet.
- Bake for 5 minutes, toss, and bake an additional 3-5 minutes until lightly golden and crisp around the edges.
- Let cool completely so they finish crisping.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 2 cups, which is the perfect amount for topping a large salad when you're hosting or bringing a dish to a gathering.
- Let the croutons cool completely before storing so they stay crisp and don't soften from trapped steam.
- Store leftover croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping them away from moisture so they stay crunchy.
- To make croissant croutons in air fryer, cook at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway through.
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