Croutons: Make Your Own

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Quick to make and long-lasting to store, home made Croutons are fresher, less expensive and lower in fat than most purchased croutons. For variety, make them plain or seasoned with garlic powder, salt or spice mixes.

The Good About Croutons

This food is very low in Cholesterol.
Low in calories -- only about 120 per cup!
Contains a little boost of fiber
Zero cholesterol
No sugars

The Bad About Croutons

Croutons can be high in sodium.

Recipes

Home Made Croutons

1/2 pound sliced bread
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon salt or seasoning mix, if desired

Heat oven to 400-degrees. Brush bread slices with olive oil. Cut slices into one-half to one inch cubes. Spread bread cubes over baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice, ten minutes or until golden, but not brown. Transfer to large bowl.

While croutons are hot, if desired, sprinkle with salt or seasoning mix; toss to coat. Let cool until crisp.

When cool, store in airtight container. Croutons will stay fresh in sealed plastic bag or container one week or longer.

Note: Use leftovers to their fullest. Make croutons from day-old dark rye bread, corn bread and leftover sliced polenta. Recipe makes six cups.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 80
Total fat: 4g
Saturated fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 6895mg
Fiber: 0.5g

Crouton Creations

Note: This recipe is a very healthy version of the crouton, and reduces the sodium dramatically.

5 tablespoons Fleischmann's Fat Free Spread
5 slices white bread -- see note
3 teaspoons garlic powder -- see note

Spread 1 tablespoon spread over each slice of bread. Stack bread slices and cut into cubes. Then, sprinkle with garlic powder or other seasoning. Spread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes: Dry bread for 1 day in the open. They need to be very dry and stale. Bread cubes may be frozen up to 3 months in the freezer. For the seasoning, basil, oregano, fat-free Parmesan cheese, curry powder, garlic, sage, or thyme may be used instead of the garlic powder.

Serving Suggestion: Serve over top your favorite soup or salad. Recipe makes 24 servings.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 17
Protein: 1g
Carbohdyrate: 3g
Cholesterol: 0
Sodium: 58mg

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