Vegan Croutons
Crunchy vegan croutons are made within minutes and perfect for adding to your favorite plant-based soups and salads. Of course, they’re so good, you can even eat them straight!
I enjoy croutons like any other person. I especially love them in a big bowl of Vegan Broccoli Soup. So good! Of course, adding crunchy croutons on my Vegan Caesar Salad is a must!
How to Make Vegan Croutons
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into thick slices and then cut the bread into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch cubes. Transfer the cubes to the prepared pan.
- Drizzle the bread cubes with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Combine the seasonings and sprinkle evenly over the cubes. Toss to coat.
- Spread seasoned cubes in a single layer on the pan. Bake until crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container.
Key Ingredients
- Lemon — We’ll use both the zest and the juice of the lemon.
- Oats — I used rolled oats for this recipe, but you can substitute instant oats.
- Chia — We’ll add some ground chia seeds to create a thicker texture. You can use whole chia seeds; I just prefer ground because it creates a smoother finished texture.
- Syrup — I used maple syrup, but you can substitute agave nectar.
- Milk — We’ll use almond milk for the best overnight oats! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk.
- Yogurt — I love adding some plant-based yogurt (plain, unsweetened) for an even more tangy flavor.
- Protein Powder — I add some vanilla protein powder for increased flavor and nutrients. If your protein powder is not sweetened, you may want to add an extra teaspoon or two of sweetener.
- Cornstarch — We’ll use cornstarch to thicken the lemon curd topping.
- Turmeric — A pinch of turmeric makes that lemon curd sunny yellow.
- Bread — We’ll cut bread into bread cubes to make the croutons. See more on bread options below.
- Olive Oil — A neutral oil like vegetable oil or olive oil works best..
- Seasonings — We’ll use seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and dried Italian seasonings.
Best Bread for Croutons
Look for crusty loaves of bread like French bread when you’re making croutons. Another favorite is flavorful sourdough loaves. You can also use hearty whole-grain baguettes, which add flavor and fiber.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- Bread is cut into cubes, drizzled in oil and seasonings, and toasted to perfection
- This recipe is a great way to use up stale bread
- Homemade croutons come together in minutes and taste much better than store-bought!
Frequently-Asked Questions
Are croutons vegan?
Some store-bought croutons may be vegan, but you should always look at the ingredients to make sure. But many croutons are made with dairy products like butter and are therefore not vegan.
Are Olive Garden croutons vegan?
Sadly, the croutons at Olive Garden are not vegan at this time. However, there are other vegan options, such as the salad (with olive oil and vinegar as a dressing) and the breadsticks.
Serving Suggestions
This vegan crouton recipe is so easy to make, and it delivers perfectly crunchy bread cubes you can add to your favorite dishes, such as:
Storage Tips
Transfer croutons to an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can freeze them by transferring to a freezer-safe container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Vegan Soup Favorites
Here are even more vegan soup recipes you can top with these dairy-free croutons:
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Vegan Croutons
Ingredients
Vegan Croutons
- 1 loaf crusty French bread (whole wheat, white, or gluten-free, cut into 1-inch pieces. Approximately 4 cups)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easy.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into thick slices and then cut the bread into ½-inch to ¾-inch cubes. Transfer the cubes to the prepared pan.
- Drizzle the bread cubes with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Combine the seasonings and sprinkle evenly over the cubes. Toss to coat.
- Spread seasoned cubes in a single layer on the pan. Bake until crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Recommended Equipment
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The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This is very useful, especially for vegan lovers like me
Thanks so much, AngelaKin!