Easy Cheesy Croutons Recipe

These vegetarian parmesan croutons are the perfect addition to any salad or soup! They’re packed with flavor and add a nice crunch. Plus, they’re super easy to make. Just mix together some vegetarian Parmesan cheese, bread cubes, and herbs, bake for a few minutes, and voila!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!

Why you’ll love these delicious croutons

• They are far more cost efficient and are a great way to make sure leftover bread doesn’t go to waste.

• You can use them on your favorite soup recipes or salad recipes.

• Kids love them, friend’s kids who insist on broken up tortilla chips on soup are now enthusiastic converts!

• Quick and easy to make, once you try them, you’ll never buy store bought again!

• They are 100% vegetarian.

Ingredients you’ll need

To make our vegetarian Parmesan croutons, you’ll need the following ingredients.

• Bread – day old bread or slightly stale bread is best. Try to use crusty white bread such as a French stick or Italian bread.
  
• Olive oil – We’ve used extra virgin olive oil but if you want garlic Parmesan croutons, then use garlic oil instead.
  
• Sea salt – We used sea salt crystals, we like the bite of them, but you could use fine sea salt also.
  
• Black pepper – We used freshly ground black pepper.
  
• Parmesan cheese – We’ve used shredded vegetarian Parmesan cheese, if you can’t find that, then use vegetarian finely grated parmesan cheese.

How to make vegetarian Parmesan croutons with step-by-step instructions

Making our vegetarian Parmesan croutons recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

Preheat your oven to 350°F/°C.

Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the bread cubes in a single layer onto the parchment paper.

Then, drizzle olive oil over and toss the bread cubes so they are evenly coated, you could use a large bowl to do this in but we’re all for minimum clean up!

Add a generous amount of sea salt and black pepper (you can add your favorite herbs if you wish) and then sprinkle the vegetarian Parmesan cheese over the bread cubes.

Place in the preheated oven and bake until they are golden brown and hardened, approximately 20 – 25 minutes, turning halfway through.

Remove from the oven and either serve immediately or, if you are using them at a later date, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container.

Enjoy your delicious vegetarian Parmesan croutons!

Recipe notes and expert tips

• Bread
  Crusty Croutons are much better if you use crusty bread such as Italian or French bread.
• Old
  Use day old or slightly stale bread as this will make perfect crispy croutons.
• Add flavor
  Use garlic oil instead of olive oil, and add a little minced garlic or garlic powder and/or, Fresh herbs, and Italian seasoning for super tasty croutons.
• Cheese
  Use finely grated parmesan cheese instead of shredded cheese if you prefer.
• Storage
  Store in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag and store at room temperature for 5 – 7 days, freeze for up to 2 months (see the main post for tips on defrosting).

We hope you enjoy making and eating our homemade croutons and would love to hear how you got on with making them.

Please leave a comment and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Parmesan croutons – so many different uses

Unconventional we know, but there’s nothing better than a bowl of freshly made Parmesan croutons to snack on, a great change from potato chips – try them, you’ll be hooked!

Or serve them as garnish for salads, toss them into a pre-dressed salad for a Panzanella-style presentation.

We add them to our beetroot and grilled halloumi salad and roasted beetroot and feta salad for a satisfying crunch.

Sprinkle them over soups, sweet potato soup, carrot and parsnip soup, pea and mint soup, all taste amazing when you add Parmesan croutons.

Turn them into homemade breadcrumbs by processing them in a food processor or blender and use the crumbs as a coating for vegan chicken patties.

Or include the crumbs in a stuffing for baked bell peppers, tomatoes, or zucchini.

What does crouton mean?

A crouton is a small piece of bread that has been cut into a cube or other shape and then fried or baked.

It is commonly used as a garnish or topping on salads and soups. The word “crouton” comes from the French word “croûton,” which means “crust.”

Croutons are typically made from white or wheat bread, but any type of bread can be used.

The bread is first cut into pieces and then tossed with oil, herbs, and spices. It is then baked or fried until it is golden brown and crispy.

Adding croutons to a dish can add flavor, texture, and visual appeal.

They are also a good way to use up leftover bread.

Is Parmesan cheese vegetarian?

No, Parmesan cheese is not vegetarian as it contains animal rennet.

We use a vegetarian Parmesan cheese which is a hard Italian cheese.

How do I store leftover croutons?

Homemade croutons store well, when completely cooled, place them in an airtight container or in a sealed Ziploc bag.

Store at room temperature for up to a week.

They also freeze well when placed in a freezer bag.

When thawing them, place them on some kitchen paper and when defrosted, warm them in the oven for 5 – 10 minutes at 300°F/150°C.

Recipe variations

Try garlic Parmesan croutons, use garlic oil or garlic powder to make the most delicious garlicky cheesy croutons.

You could substitute the olive oil for melted butter and toss your croutons for a delicious buttery taste.

More easy recipes for you to try

If you like our vegetarian Parmesan crouton recipe, then why not try these simple recipes?

• Beetroot soup
• Sweet potato soup
• Air fryer asparagus
• Zucchini fritters
• Pesto pasta

You may also like…

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

This Chocolate Cake Recipe stands out for its moist texture, deep chocolate flavor, and silky frosting. It’s perfect for celebrating or as a way to…

Spicy Korean Tofu Soup (Sundubu Jjigae)

This Korean Tofu Soup, or Sundubu Jjigae, is warm, spicy, cozy, and delicious! Perfect for chilly nights or when you’re craving something comforting, it’s a flavorful blend…