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Home » Recipes

Homemade Rye Croutons

Published: Oct 25, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Pin for Homemade Rye Croutons.

Nothing beats the crisp, shattering texture of croutons in a cool green salad or a warm bowl of soup. But have you ever considered making your own croutons at home? They are are so simple to prepare and are a great way to use up the last of a loaf of bread that is beginning to go stale. They are also much more delicious than their store bought counterparts!

Keep reading for step-by-step instructions for turning a loaf of rye bread into a batch of crispy, crunchy croutons!

Rye croutons and lettuce on a white plate.

Why This Recipe Works

  • This recipe relies on a simple, foolproof method for making homemade croutons: store bought or homemade rye bread is cubed, tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and baked in the oven until crisp.
  • There are delicious ways to vary these croutons! See the recipe card below for details!

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for Homemade Rye Croutons
  • I like using a pumpernickel bread from the grocery store bakery for this recipe. The texture is light and airy (perfect for croutons) and the color and flavor are deep and robust.
  • The only other essential ingredients are olive oil and salt and pepper!
  • You can easily add fresh garlic and/or herbs to the recipe (see variations in the recipe card below).

How to Make This Recipe

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cut the bread into cubes and transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes and season with salt and pepper. Toss well to ensure that all of the bread cubes are coated evenly with the oil mixture.
Rye bread cubes in a bowl with a rubber spatula.
  • Spread the cubes out in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes or until crispy.
  • You can use warm croutons immediately if they are for a soup or stew. If you are going to use them in a salad, let them cool to room temperature first.

That's all there is to it!

Expert Tips

  • Be sure to spread the cubes into a single layer on the baking sheet to ensure even baking.
Two bowls of butternut squash soup topped with rye croutons.

FAQs

How do I store these rye croutons?

These croutons will keep in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze these croutons?

Absolutely! Once the croutons have completely cooled, transfer them to a freezer safe container or sealable freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months! Simply take out the amount you need and defrost at room temperature until they have thawed completely.

Can I add garlic and/or herbs to these croutons?

Yes! See the recipe card below for a couple of delicious variations on the original recipe.

Related Recipes

Looking for some delicious recipes to go with your Homemade Rye Croutons? Give these a try:

  • Close up of a bowl of butternut squash soup topped with rye croutons and herbs.
    Simple Savory Butternut Squash Soup
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    Easiest and Best Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup (Dairy-Free)
  • Close up of chilled cucumber soup with chopped tomatoes, croutons and dill on top.
    Chilled Cucumber Soup with Avocado and Dill
  • A close up of a jar of vinaigrette with a spoon
    Lingonberry Vinaigrette
Close up of rye croutons in a salad.

Homemade Rye Croutons

Deliciously savory and crisp, these homemade rye croutons are delicious with a cool green salad or a warm bowl of soup!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: condiments, salads, soups
Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian
Keyword: easy crouton recipe, rye crouton recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 34 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 234kcal
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

  • 4 cups rye bread cubes about ¾ inch in size
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Toss the bread cubes, olive oil, salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl until evenly coated. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer.
  • Bake until the bread cubes are crisp, about 25 minutes.

Notes

Store the croutons in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze in freezer-safe container or ziploc bag for longer storage.
Variations:
Garlic: Add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the bread cubes, olive oil and salt and pepper mixture. Proceed with the recipe as directed.
Fresh Herb and Garlic: Add 2 cloves of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh thyme, 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh sage, and 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary to the bread cubes, olive oil and salt/pepper mixture. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Homemade Rye Croutons and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

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    How to Make Smørrebrød (Danish Open Faced Sandwiches) at Home
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristi

    October 25, 2022 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    Crispy and perfect every time. I love the garlic herb variation best!

    Reply

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