Leftover croutons are a common occurrence in most households, but what do you do with them?
Here are some quick and easy ideas to help you use up those croutons.
From toppings for soups and salads to homemade bread crumbs, there’s a recipe for everyone.
So don’t let those leftover croutons go to waste – try one of these recipes today.
Turn leftover croutons into bread crumbs
Turning your leftover croutons into bread crumbs is a great way to make them stretch.
You can use the bread crumbs in place of panko or other dried breadcrumbs for recipes like homemade chicken tenders, meatballs, mac & cheese, and more.
To do this, place your croutons in a food processor and give them a quick spin.
The goal is to achieve a fine powder, not a coarse breading – so don’t overdo it.
Once you have your bread crumbs, pour them into an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer.
Crouton pizza crust
Love the taste of pizza but not all the carbs?
Make a pizza crust from your leftover croutons.
You can top it with pepperoni, veggies, cheese – whatever you have on hand.
To make this super quick and easy, take a few tablespoons of olive oil and spread it across a baking sheet.
Add your seasoned croutons in a single layer and bake at 400 degrees until they’re crispy and golden brown.
Make a crouton salad
One of our favorite ways to use up leftover croutons is in a salad.
It’s a great way to add crunch and flavor, plus you can make it as simple or as elaborate as you’d like.
To do this, all you have to do is add your seasoned croutons to lettuce and veggies of your choice.
Top with dressing or a simple vinaigrette.
Add them to soup
The next great way to use leftover croutons is in soup.
It’s a great opportunity to turn a boring bowl of hot soup into something tasty and special.
You need to add your seasoned croutons directly into the soup pot about 10 minutes before serving.
You can also add them to individual servings of hot soup if you’d prefer they stay separate.
Turn it into a pasta dish
Another idea is to use leftover croutons is in a pasta dish.
It’s an excellent way to make your pasta feel special, plus you can get creative with the variety of flavors and textures.
All you have to do is saute your seasoned croutons in a pan until they’re nice and crispy.
Then add them to hot pasta along with some veggies or other ingredients like chicken or shrimp.
Top it all off with a simple sauce.
Add it to a chicken salad sandwich
You can also use leftover croutons is in a chicken salad sandwich.
It’s the perfect meal when you’re in a rush but want something fresh and healthy, plus you can make each serving feel special.
Just shred your favorite meat or rotisserie chicken and mix it up with your favorite veggies.
Add in your seasoned croutons plus a simple dressing of mayo, mustard, salt & pepper.
Serve on toasted bread or as desired.
Make a cheesy casserole
A great way to use leftover croutons is in a cheesy casserole.
It’s an easy way to dress up your favorite comfort foods, plus you can get creative with the variety of flavors and textures.
Simply mix your shredded cheese with egg, milk, salt & pepper.
Add your seasoned croutons and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until bubbling and golden.
Make a meatloaf sandwich
Another great way to use leftover croutons is in a meatloaf sandwich.
It’s the perfect meal when you’re in a rush but want something fresh and healthy, plus you can make each serving feel special.
Just mix your seasoned croutons with ground beef or turkey along with an egg, onion, salt & pepper.
Form into a meatloaf and cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.
Top with your favorite cheese when it’s finished cooking.
Make a tuna casserole
Love tuna but hate all the carbs?
Make a tuna casserole from your leftover croutons.
You can top it with cheese or veggies, and feel free to add some fresh lemon juice.
You’ll need to pre-cook your seasoned croutons until they’re nice and crispy.
Then add them to hot pasta along with some veggies or other ingredients like chicken or shrimp.
Top it all off with a simple sauce and enjoy.
How long can you store croutons?
You can store your leftover croutons in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
If you want to keep them longer, store them in zip-top bags or vacuum sealer bags and freeze them for 3 months or more. (source)
What are the benefits of using croutons?
Using croutons allows you to easily transform your boring salads, soups, and other dishes into something much more exciting.
You can also be creative in how you season your croutons so they have a variety of flavors depending on what you plan to use them with.
Can you freeze croutons?
Yes, you can easily freeze your leftover croutons by storing them in zip-top bags or vacuum sealer bags.
Once they’re frozen, you can store them for up to 3 months.
How long should you bake croutons until crispy and golden brown?
You’ll need to bake your seasoned croutons in the oven for 30-45 minutes or until they’re golden brown and crispy all the way through.
Remember to flip them over halfway through. (source)
How long can you keep croutons in the fridge?
You can store your leftover croutons in the fridge for up to two weeks.
It’s important to remember they’ll be prone to spoilage if you leave them out at room temperature for too long, so place them in an airtight container as soon as possible. (source)
What is the shelf life of leftover croutons once they are opened?
If you open an airtight container with your leftover croutons, it’s important that they are eaten or discarded within one week.
Discard any unused portions if they have been exposed to air for more than 24 hours.
Are store-bought breadcrumbs the same as croutons?
Yes, the only difference is that breadcrumbs are much crisper since they are usually made with Panko breadcrumbs.
Seasoned croutons are usually seasoned with Italian flavors, but you can also try other seasonings like cajun or lemon pepper.
Can I use seasoned salt instead of pepper in my recipe for croutons?
The flavor of seasoned salt can be very similar to black pepper, so it will work the same in your recipe.
However, if you’re looking for a fun alternative use grated Parmesan or Romano cheese mixed with your favorite seasonings.
Conclusion
There are many ways to use leftover croutons, some of our favorites include turning them into a pizza crust, salad, soup topping, pasta dish, chicken salad sandwich, and cheesy casserole.
Croutons make any meal feel special and add delicious flavor and crunch.
So the next time you have some leftovers from your last recipe be sure to try one of these ideas.