Alright, let’s talk about making some vegan croutons. I wanted to use up some old bread that was going stale, and I figured, why not try to make croutons? It seemed pretty straightforward, and I was curious to see if I could make them vegan-friendly.
Getting Started
First, I grabbed the leftover bread. Any kind will do, but I had some sourdough that was definitely past its prime. I cut the bread into cubes, aiming for a decent size—not too big, not too small. Just like Goldilocks, right? Then I preheated my oven, somewhere around 350°F.
Mixing Things Up
Next, I melted some vegan butter in a pan. You could use olive oil, but I like the buttery flavor. Once it was melted, I tossed in some minced garlic and let it sizzle for a bit. Just until it smelled good, you know? Then I took it off the heat and added some herbs—a bit of dried oregano, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Nothing fancy, just stuff I had in the cupboard.
Putting It Together
I put the bread cubes in a big bowl and poured the butter-garlic-herb mixture over them. Then, using my hands because it’s the best way, I tossed everything together until the bread was nicely coated. I was careful not to squish the bread too much. I spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they weren’t crowded, so they’d get crispy all over.
Baking Time
I popped the baking sheet in the oven and set a timer for about 15 minutes. I kept an eye on them, though, because ovens can be tricky. After about 10 minutes, I gave them a little shake to make sure they were browning evenly. They were looking good, so I let them go for another 5 minutes until they were golden brown and crispy.
Cooling Down
Once they were done, I took them out of the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. It’s important to let them cool because that’s when they get super crunchy. While they were cooling, I was already thinking about what salads or soups I could use them in. Maybe a nice Caesar salad or some tomato soup.
The Result
And there you have it—homemade vegan croutons! They turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself. They were crispy, flavorful, and a great way to use up old bread. Plus, they were way cheaper than buying them at the store. I stored the leftovers in an airtight container, and they stayed crispy for a few days.
Honestly, it was easier than I thought it would be. So, next time you have some bread going stale, don’t throw it out! Give this a try, and you might surprise yourself. It is a good way to reduce waste! I will use this method to make vegan croutons next time!
- Leftover bread
- Vegan butter or olive oil
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Salt
- Pepper
