Recipe: Everything Bagel Croutons

This recipe transforms day-old bread into flavorful 'Everything Bagel' croutons. Bread cubes are tossed with olive oil and a savory blend of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Baked until golden and crisp, these versatile croutons add a delightful crunch and robust flavor to salads, soups, or can be enjoyed as a standalone snack. It's a simple yet effective method for repurposing bread.

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Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 617.8 kcal

Equipment

1 Large Mixing Bowl For tossing bread cubes with oil and seasoning.
1 Baking Sheet Essential for even toasting in the oven.
1 Measuring Spoons For accurate spice and oil measurements.
1 Whisk To thoroughly combine the dry seasoning blend.
1 Spatula or Tongs For tossing the croutons during baking.

Ingredients

Main

1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon garlic powder no salt added
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups day-old bread cubes about 1 inch

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a small bowl, combine the poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt; whisk well to ensure an uniform mix.
In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the day-old bread cubes. Toss thoroughly to ensure all bread pieces are evenly coated.
Sprinkle the prepared everything bagel seasoning mix over the oiled bread cubes.
Toss again, ensuring the seasoning adheres uniformly to all sides of the bread.
Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring and flipping the croutons halfway through the baking time.
Continue baking until the croutons are golden brown and uniformly crisp.
Remove from the oven and let the croutons cool completely on the baking sheet.
Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container for storage to maintain crispness.

Notes

For optimal crouton texture, using a robust, slightly dense bread like a country loaf or sourdough is highly recommended; avoid overly soft sandwich bread. Ensure your bread cubes are uniform in size (around 1 inch) to guarantee even toasting and prevent smaller pieces from burning while larger ones remain soft. The olive oil is critical for achieving a golden, crisp exterior; toss thoroughly to coat every surface for optimal seasoning adherence. To elevate the flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the everything bagel seasoning blend or finishing with a light sprinkle of finely chopped fresh chives after baking for a fresh aromatic lift. Monitor them closely during the last few minutes of baking, as they can transition from perfectly crisp to burnt very quickly. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container to maintain their crunch.