Whole Grain Croutons

February 2, 2024
Last Updated: June 17, 2024
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Recipes

Making your own whole grain croutons is so easy and takes minutes. With some easy herbs and spices, these croutons are a flavorful addition to any salad, stir fry, or just a fun, crunchy whole grain snack for kids.

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Making whole grain croutons is easier than you think!

If you love buying herbed croutons from the store, you should try making your own.

It’s incredibly easy, tasty, and a healthy addition to so many things, from salads, to stir fries, to just a fiber-rich crunchy snack!

Plus, making homemade whole grain croutons is a great way to reduce food waste, or use bread that is almost stale. And use up those those pesky end pieces, or crusts, that kids don’t love!

sheet pan with homemade whole grain croutons

Some of my favorite salads to add them to are this arugula cantaloupe salad, spinach chicken strawberry salad and butternut squash and beetroot salad.

Croutons just add a necessary element of crunch and depth to salads, soups, stir fries – you know what I mean?

Why We Love Whole Grain Croutons

So many reasons to love these whole grain croutons!

Fiber-rich – Since these croutons are made with whole grains, you’re getting a punch of fiber from the grains themselves, as well as some protein. For example, a slice of Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds offers 5 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein and 22 grams of whole grains! So, much of the nutrition will depend on which bread you use.
Vegan and can be gluten-free – Whether you require gluten-free homemade croutons or not, the process is the same. Just make sure to use gluten-free bread!
Great for kids – My young kids go crazy over croutons, so I usually add them to their plates at dinner. And now, adding homemade whole wheat croutons is just a normal addition.
Ready in 20 minutes – This is my favorite part – making your own homemade bread croutons is so incredibly easy and quick! They just need to bake for 10-15 minutes, and that’s all.

blue baking dish with whole wheat croutons

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need. Simple ingredients that you probably already have!

whole grain bread – You can also use any type of bread to make tasty herbed croutons (example, homemade rye croutons with rye bread or sourdough croutons with sourdough bread)
olive oil or other choice of fat (butter, avocado oil) – Stick to a cooking oil for the fat if you want homemade vegan croutons
herb blend – rosemary, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt. Use any blend of your choosing!

simple ingredients for whole grain croutons

You can also make your own herb croutons with any variation of spices! I think using EBTB would be delicious, or cheesy garlic croutons.

And then throw them on your favorite salad recipes – like a brown rice and quinoa salad or a cantaloupe salad.

HOT TIP

If you want to make gluten free croutons, just be sure to use a gluten-free bread!

How to Make Whole Wheat Croutons

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Then, cut your bread into square shapes and add to a bowl. They don’t have to all be the same size, but I tend to make them similar sizes so they cook evenly.

Add the oil and seasonings.

diced up bread in clear bowl for croutons

homemade whole grain croutons on baking sheet

Bake for 12-20 minutes. It really depends on your oven and how crispy you like them, so there can be a lot of individualization here.

bowl with crunchy homemade whole grain croutons

How to Store Homemade Croutons

You have a few options for how to store homemade croutons.

In the Fridge – You can store them in the fridge for a couple of days max.
In the Freezer – Storing your homemade croutons in the freezer will help them last longer, up to 3 months!
On the Counter – You can keep them at room temperature in an airtight ziplock bag or airtight container. The key to keeping them fresher longer is reducing the moisture as much as possible! So, I like to suck the air out of a ziplock bag using a straw or place a paper towel down in the container to soak up any excess moisture.

Make sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

FAQ

Can you freeze homemade croutons?

Yes, freezing homemade croutons can help them last longer. To do so, let them freeze completely and then place them in an airtight container, stasher bag or ziplock bag. When ready to eat, let them thaw and place them back in the oven or toaster oven to crunch them up.

What’s the difference between whole grain and whole wheat?

There is a slight difference between whole grain and whole wheat, though both are very nutritious and contain all three parts of the grain (bran, germ, endosperm). Whole wheat refers to the entire wheat kernel, while whole grain includes all grains, like barley, corn, quinoa, etc.

Can you make whole grain croutons gluten free?

Yes! To make homemade gluten-free croutons, just use a gluten-free bread.

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Yield: 4 cups