Healthier homemade croutons made with whole grain bread, Italian seasoning and shredded parmesan cheese. These are so simple to make, with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
I love how the grains in the bread add a nutty texture to the croutons, so much better than white bread!
Once baked you can keep them in a ziplock bag to use for salads or soups (I love croutons in my split pea soup[1]!) Be sure to use shredded Parmesan cheese so it sticks to the croutons when baked in the oven.
For this side salad, I chopped up some tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and romaine lettuce, and tossed it with my red wine tomato vinaigrette[2].
Homemade Croutons
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 16 • Serving Size: 1/4 cup • Old Points: 0 pts • Points+: 1 pts
Calories: 28.5 • Fat: 6.5 g • Protein: 2 g • Carb: 5 g • Fiber: 0.9 g • Sugar: 0.7 g
Sodium: 47 mg (without salt)
Ingredients:
- olive oil spray (I used my mister)
- 6 slices 100% whole grain bread (I used Pepperidge Farm 15 grain)*
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- sea salt, to taste
- 3-4 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or dried parsley)
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- fresh black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat over to 300°F. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
Remove the crust and cut the bread into small cubes.
Combine the garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.
Spread the bread cubes on prepared cookie sheet in a single layer. Spray the top with more oil to coat and top with half of the seasoning and half of the shredded cheese; season with black pepper then bake for 14 minutes or until dry, crispy, and golden brown.
Turn the croutons over, spray a little more oil and sprinkle with remaining seasoning, black pepper and shredded cheese; bake for an additional 15 minutes until done. Store croutons in air-tight container or ziplock bag. Makes 4 cups. Enjoy!
*This should be about 5 1/2 oz after the crust is removed, before baking. This was calculated as such.
References
- ^ split pea soup (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
- ^ red wine tomato vinaigrette (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)