Bacon Croutons
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Add flavor to soups and salads with these homemade bacon croutons. They’re golden and crisp, easy to make, and ready in 35 minutes!
There’s nothing quite like the smoky, savory flavor of bacon to take a humble crouton to the next level. These bacon croutons add serious depth to salads and creamy soups, with that irresistible aroma and richness that only bacon fat can bring.
Once you make croutons like these at home, there’s no going back. They’re golden and crunchy on the outside, a little chewy in the center, and packed with bold, smoky flavor in every bite. I use leftover bacon fat instead of oil, which not only makes them extra crisp but also infuses the bread with that unmistakable bacon goodness. Add a little garlic and Italian seasoning, and suddenly a handful of croutons becomes the best part of the meal. Bonus: they’re a smart, budget-friendly way to use up extra bread and every last bit of that precious bacon fat.
Ideas for using bacon croutons
Use these smoky croutons to add even more flavor to my bacon kale Caesar salad (of course!) or even a classic Caesar salad. They are also delicious in cream soups such as my garlic soup or broccoli cheese soup.
Bacon Croutons Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ loaf unsliced sourdough
- 4 tablespoons bacon fat (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (very finely minced)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the loaf of bread into small, bite-sized pieces and put it into a large bowl. You'll want 4 cups of bread cubes.½ loaf unsliced sourdough
- Heat the bacon fat in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute.4 tablespoons bacon fat, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pour the bacon fat over the bread cubes and mix well. Transfer the bread to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the croutons for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy, mixing halfway through. Let them cool for a few minutes before using them or cool them completely before storing.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
