Cornbread Croutons Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Oct 11, 2020, Updated Mar 19, 2024

5 from 17 votes

9 Comments

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These cornbread croutons are easy to make with 3 ingredients in less than 30 minutes. Watch the video and follow the step-by-step instructions to learn how to make cornbread croutons – my favorite way to use up leftover cornbread.

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (2)

These homemade cornbread croutons are my favorite way to use up leftover cornbread. They’re easy to make with only 3 ingredients in less than 30 minutes!

One of my all-time favorite restaurants was known for their cornbread, and in turn, their cornbread croutons. I craved their salads for the croutons alone! So years (and years) ago I created this cornbread crouton recipe so I could make crave-worthy salads from the comfort of my own home.

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (3)

Cornbread Croutons: Ingredients

There are only 3 ingredients in this cornbread croutons recipe, but as always we’ll chat about them!

  • Cornbread.I recommend making this –best ever cornbread recipe and using the leftovers to make these cornbread croutons. It’s best to use cornbread that’s a day or two old. You could always use a box mix to make it even easier. There are also boxes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. so you can make the croutons comply to your dietary needs.
  • Olive Oil.Any neutral oil works well, but olive oil is my favorite. Canola oil and avocado oil are the two substitutions I’d recommend.
  • Fine sea salt. regular salt works too, you may just need to decrease the amount.
Cornbread Croutons Recipe (4)

How to Make Cornbread Croutons

This cornbread crouton recipe is so simple, but we’ll walk through the steps together, and don’t forget to watch the video

To make these cornbread croutons, you have to be gentle when stirring so the cornbread doesn’t fall apart. I like to do it in halves, so drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over the cornbread then stir, and repeat with the rest.

Then do the same for the sea salt, sprinkle half of the sea salt over the cornbread, stir, and repeat with the second half. This way the ingredients are naturally dispersed and don’t rely too much on stirring.

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (5)

Bake

Lightly grease a baking sheet and spread the cornbread onto it in one even layer.

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (6)

Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, gently flipping the croutons over once halfway through baking (around 6-7 minutes). Remove from oven once they are golden-brown and still slightly soft.

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (7)

Store

Store these cornbread croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (8)

Cornbread Croutons Recipe FAQ

How do you make cornbread that doesn’t fall apart?

Make this best cornbread recipe! And then let it sit in the refrigerator overnight and it will not fall apart when cut to make these croutons!

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (9)

Serve

Ilove serving these cornbread croutons slightly warm on top of a salad, in soups etc.

  • I love them in this Brussel Sprout Salad!
  • They’d taste amazing on this burrata salad! YUM!
  • Toss them in this sausage and kale soup for a delicious fall meal.
  • They are the perfect compliment to this butternut squash soup and this homemade tomato soup!
  • Use them to make cornbread dressing!
Cornbread Croutons Recipe (10)

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Cornbread Croutons Recipe (11)

Cornbread Croutons Recipe (12)

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Homemade Cornbread Croutons Recipe

Laura

These cornbread croutons are easy to make with 3 ingredients in less than 30 minutes. Watch the video and follow the step-by-step instructions to learn how to make cornbread croutons – my favorite way to use up leftover cornbread.

5 from 17 votes

Course condiment, Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 16 Servings

Calories 211

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time20 minutes minutes

Total Time25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cornbread cut into ½” cubes (day-old leftover cornbread)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet, set aside.

  • Gently cube leftover cornbread and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

  • Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over the cornbread. Gently stir.

  • Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon over the cornbread and gently stir to distribute.

  • Sprinkle half of the sea salt over the cornbread, stir, and repeat with the second half.

  • Spread cornbread onto the prepared baking sheet in one even layer.

  • Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, gently flipping the croutons over once halfway through baking (around 6-7 minutes).

  • Remove from oven once they are golden-brown.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Cornbread.I recommend making this –best ever cornbread recipe and using the leftovers to make these cornbread croutons. It’s best to use cornbread that’s a day or two old. You could always use a box mix to make it even easier. There are also boxes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. so you can make the croutons comply to your dietary needs.
  • Olive Oil.Any neutral oil works well, but olive oil is my favorite. Canola oil and avocado oil are the two substitutions I’d recommend.
  • Fine sea salt. regular salt works too, you may just need to decrease the amount.

Store:

Store these cornbread croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.

Freeze:

Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 427mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Cornbread Croutons Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep homemade croutons crunchy? ›

After croutons have cooled, we suggest storing them in an airtight container at room temperature, and using them up within 5 days.
  1. Refrigerator storage: Store croutons in the refrigerator for up to 6-7 days.
  2. Freezer storage: If you store croutons in the freezer, they are okay to eat for 4-6 weeks.
Dec 1, 2021

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

Add shredded cheese.

Melty, gooey cheese will hold your cornbread together and give it a fantastic flavor. Shredded cheddar cheese is best for most cornbread recipes, but you can try experimenting with another variety.

Why are my croutons not crispy? ›

Crowding the pan.

Pile the bread cubes on top of each other and they won't have enough space to crisp up and brown. Instead, make sure they're in a even layer.

Why is my cornbread not crunchy? ›

To achieve the crispiest golden crust on your cornbread, Delk Adams instructs you to grease the skillet liberally with bacon grease (if you don't have that, shortening, butter, or oil will do), then pop it into the hot oven for 5 minutes before pouring the batter in.

How do you store homemade croutons so they don't get soggy? ›

Homemade croutons will keep fresh for weeks when properly stored, so they're great for making ahead. To Store: Once the baked croutons have cooled completely to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or large zip-top bag. Store them on the counter for up to 2 weeks.

How long will homemade croutons stay fresh? ›

How long do croutons last? The expected shelf-life for homemade croutons is about two weeks. Moisture encourages mold, so make sure your croutons are completely dehydrated during the bake and let cool completely at room temperature before storing them away in an airtight container.

What does adding an extra egg to Jiffy cornbread mix do? ›

The extra egg which is increased protein and binder makes the cornbread denser and heavier in texture. Can I add flour to Jiffy cornbread to make more batter? Do you by chance need a cornbread recipe to borrow? Why does Jiffy cornbread crumble?

Will an extra egg make cornbread less crumbly? ›

An Extra egg will tend to make a firmer, more cakelike texture to your cornbread. This may make it less of a traditional cornbread and less likely to crumble.

How to keep jiffy cornbread from falling apart? ›

I always add a tablespoon full of mayo with Jiffy mix, (or any box cornbread mix). It acts as a binding agent like the egg does, so it tends to hold together easier.

Why do store bought croutons last so long? ›

Commercially packaged croutons, due to their preservatives and packaging, can last significantly longer. They can often be stored at room temperature for several months without any noticeable degradation in texture or flavor.

How to fix stale croutons? ›

To refresh stale croutons, bake for 3 to 4 minutes at 400 degrees.

How to crisp up soggy croutons? ›

The method for reviving croutons involves lightly coating them in oil and baking them until they are golden and crispy again. This not only re-crisps them but also provides an opportunity to infuse additional flavors through seasonings such as garlic, herbs, or Parmesan.

Should you let cornbread batter sit? ›

1Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). We recommend allowing cornbread batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking, so if you prefer, you can delay heating the oven until you make the batter. 2Melt the butter, and then set aside to cool slightly.

Should you soak cornmeal before making cornbread? ›

Soaking the cornmeal in buttermilk for a few hours, or even overnight, tenderizes the large grains of cornmeal, making the bread more moist and tender.

Should you preheat a skillet for cornbread? ›

Preheat your pan

You WANT some sizzle here. This helps develop the perfect crust and keeps your cornbread from being too crumbly. Stick your skillet in the oven to warm up as it preheats; it usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to get your skillet to just the right temperature!

Will croutons get soggy in the fridge? ›

Keep crispy stuff and cheesy stuff off

Since a salad is typically a high-moisture dish, it's best to keep anything crispy or cheesy off until serving. Crispy items such as croutons or fried wontons will become soggy and cheese will become soft.

Can you vacuum seal homemade croutons? ›

They will always be handy for game night! Grains – Rice, Oats, Homemade Breading, Homemade croutons- Seal open containers for extended freshness.

How long will vacuum sealed croutons last? ›

Shelf Life of Baked Goods
Baked Goods
FoodsStored InVacuum Shelf Life
Cookies (homemade)Pantry2 Weeks / 2 Years
Pancake MixPantry1-2 Years
CroutonsPantry1 Year
5 more rows
Aug 22, 2022

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