Add this Lemon-Garlic Crouton recipe to any salad, and it will be elevated to another level. Sourdough bread soaks up the flavors of fresh lemon juice and crushed garlic before it's roasted to perfection. 
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know my nine-year-old son has Celiac Disease, and is therefore gluten-free. You may also remember that my husband -- to stand in solidarity with him -- is also gluten-free. (Very sweet.)
I do not abstain from gluten. (I'm still sweet, though. ;-))
I have a small bag of "gluten-full" items tucked into a corner of the pantry where only I can access it.
What's in the bag, you ask?
Not much -- a little all-purpose flour for my recipe testing and, for my younger son, graham crackers and goldfish. (He loves these things.) Other items sometimes go in and out of the bag, but beyond that, our house is essentially gluten-free.
(If you're interested in those details, please email me, as I'm always happy to share how our family handles it.)
Inspiration for Lemon-Garlic Crouton Recipe
The other day I was in a bakery and couldn't resist a beautiful, rustic, golden loaf of sourdough bread. It didn't make it into "the bag."
I used it immediately to make this Lemon-Garlic Crouton recipe, and served them in a Fried Lemon Ceaser Salad (pictured below), the same day at a casual lunch. Delicious!
I think almost anything you can make at home instead of purchasing it prepared in a package will be a superior product.
What's in Lemon-Garlic Croutons?
- sourdough bread
- lemon zest
- lemon juice
- fresh garlic
- olive oil
- salt, pepper
How do you Make Homemade Croutons?
Here are some great tips . . .
- You can use any bread you like! (This recipe calls for Sourdough, but feel free to switch it up.)
- The bread should be cut into bite-sized pieces and drizzled with melted butter or oil. (In this recipe, for added flavor, the oil is part of a marinade the bread briefly soaks in.)
- The bread pieces should be placed in a very hot oven, so they brown nicely.
- They are best eaten the same day they are made.
This Lemon-Garlic Crouton recipe is quite simple to make, and truly enhances any salad it's added to.
And quite frankly, I'd eat them alone as a snack.
I'm thinking just as one might have a bowl of almonds or peanuts out at a party, a bowl of these croutons would be lovely! Simply to snack on, with a glass of wine perhaps.
Enjoy!
Lemon-Garlic Crouton Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ pound loaf of sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garlic, crushed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the bread into approximately 1 ½-inch cubes. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic and salt together. Add the oil and use a whisk to mix until it's well blended.
- Add the bread cubes to the bowl and toss until all of the bread is well coated with the mixture. (This is easiest if you use your hands.)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, and let the bread marinate for 10 minutes.
- Spread the marinated bread onto a baking sheet, in one layer. (Do not cover the baking sheet with anything beforehand.)
- Grind a bit of black pepper over the bread, and then roast in the preheated 400°F oven until the bottoms of the bread cubes are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Then turn them over and roast until the other side browns, another 5 minutes or so.
- Let the croutons cool on the baking sheet before using them.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Deb
I am a citrus lover and lemon is my favorite! These croutons are on my must try list!
Tristin Rieken
This is the same reality I was living for years with a gluten free (and basically EVERYTHING free hubs) and a dairy/gluten free son while the rest of the house was gluten-full! I too missed my big rustic loaves of bread and crispy croutons.. Love making them both from scratch but have never added lemon before this... delicious!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
valentina
Thank you, Tristin. Sound like we have a lot in common. Now go get your rustic loaf of bread, and enjoy! 🙂
Heidy L. McCallum
I love the idea of adding the lemon flavor to the croutons. Sorry to hear about your little one...my friend Tricia has the same issue and sometimes eating is a struggle. Your husband seems to be a great dad standing in solidarity with your son!!
valentina
Awww, thank you Heidy! Yes, my husband is awesome. 🙂
Rae
I bet these croutons taste good in everything. Interesting twist of adding lemon to the croutons -- I cant't wait to try them out!
valentina
Thanks, Rae. Hope you love them!
Ilona
I like the idea of lemony croutons. Great addition to salads!
valentina
Thanks so much! Enjoy!
Jennifer
These crouton's are the best!!! I love the lemon flavor!
valentina
Thanks, Jennifer. 😀
angiesrecipes
They are perfect as the salad topping, but also great to snack on all day :-))
valentina
I LOVE snacking of these! 🙂 Thanks!
David @ Spiced
I absolutely love homemade croutons! First of, it just sounds so impressive to say you made the croutons. Little do folks know that it's like the easiest thing ever! I also love how you seasoned these with lemon and garlic. Perfect for a good spring salad...if I don't eat 'em all first! 🙂
Coco in the Kitchen
I could eat the whole thing for dinner.....when no one's looking, of course. 😉