By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 20, 2025
Garlic croutons are the perfect topping for a fresh salad or bowl of soup. Homemade croutons are incredibly easy to make and add so much flavor and crunch to my salads. Just follow this simple recipe and skip the pre-made ones!
Garlic Croutons Recipe (On the Stovetop)
No salad is complete without croutons. And this garlic crouton recipe is so perfect for almost any salad . These fried croutons are made from Italian bread and cooked up with garlic on the stove. They are SO good.
Making croutons from scratch definitely takes me a little more time as compared to buying at the store, but once I got my process down, these turn out great and are easy to customize. I used garlic and red pepper flakes, but you can can switch up the flavors and seasonings. I’ve also made oven baked croutons and bacon croutons .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 2 thick slices crusty Italian bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic smashed
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. I used approximately 3 tablespoons olive oil, but you can use more if need be. 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Add in the garlic and red pepper and cook over medium heat. Cook until transluscent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Toss in the bread cubes and stir to coat in the oil and spices. 2 thick slices crusty Italian bread
- Continue to cook and stir until the bread is crusty, golden, and fully crisped.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Becky’s Tips
- Use any crusty stale bread to make croutons. Ciabatta, baguette, or sourdough creates the perfect crunchy texture.
- Avoid using fresh sandwich bread, it will be crumbly and burn the edges.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container or resealable bag for about 2 weeks.
Freeze: You can also freeze homemade croutons, and thaw and reheat them in the oven when you’re ready to use them. However, they taste best (and keep their crunchiness) when stored at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
I initially made these garlic croutons for my kale caesar salad , but I’m saving the extra to use on my other salads. And they are so good with soups too. Throw a handful of these into tomato soup and you’ve got a simple yet delicious meal!
More simple recipes you’ll love
Healthy Baked Homemade Croutons
Homemade Bacon Croutons Recipe
Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Sweet and Sour Dressing Recipe for Salads
How to Roast Garlic (Oven Roasted Garlic)
Candied Walnuts Recipe (How to Make Candied Walnuts)
How to Make Browned Butter
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Garlic Crouton Recipe - Fried Croutons
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 thick slices crusty Italian bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. I used approximately 3 tablespoons olive oil, but you can use more if need be. 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Add in the garlic and red pepper and cook over medium heat. Cook until transluscent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Toss in the bread cubes and stir to coat in the oil and spices. 2 thick slices crusty Italian bread
- Continue to cook and stir until the bread is crusty, golden, and fully crisped.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use any crusty stale bread to make croutons. Ciabatta, baguette, or sourdough creates the perfect crunchy texture.
- Avoid using fresh sandwich bread, it will be crumbly and burn the edges.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
