Best 8 Italian Salad Croutons Recipes

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When it comes to adding a flavorful and crispy touch to your salads, croutons are an absolute must-have. Originating from Italy, croutons have become a staple in various cuisines worldwide. These golden-brown cubes of bread, tossed with herbs, spices, and sometimes cheese, offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Whether you prefer them soft and chewy or crispy and crunchy, croutons can elevate a simple salad into a remarkable culinary experience. In this article, we will guide you through the art of crafting the perfect Italian salad croutons, providing step-by-step instructions and expert tips to achieve that irresistible crunch and flavor that will make your salads shine.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN STEAK SALAD WITH PARMESAN CROUTONS



Italian Steak Salad with Parmesan Croutons image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups grape tomatoes (1/2 cup whole, 1 1/2 cups halved)
1/2 small red onion (1/2 cut into chunks, 1/2 thinly sliced)
1/4 cup fresh basil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 pounds flank steak, halved lengthwise
3 cups torn Italian bread (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus shaved parmesan for topping
3 heads endive, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 head radicchio, torn
1 romaine lettuce heart, torn

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425˚. Combine the whole grape tomatoes, red onion chunks, basil and vinegar in a blender. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and blend until almost smooth. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing to a small bowl.
  • Place each steak half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound on both sides with the flat side of a meat mallet until 3/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons dressing. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the steak and sear until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
  • Meanwhile, toss the bread chunks with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately toss with the grated parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
  • Combine the endive, radicchio, romaine, halved grape tomatoes, sliced red onion and croutons in a large bowl; drizzle with the dressing and toss. Divide among plates and top with shaved parmesan. Thinly slice the steak and add to the salads.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 510, Fat 32 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Cholesterol 92 milligrams, Sodium 668 milligrams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 4 grams

SIMPLE ITALIAN SALAD



Simple Italian Salad image

Homemade croutons star in this easy Italian salad recipe, filled with grape tomatoes, olives and pepperoncinis. I like to serve it with fresh Italian or focaccia bread. —Nancy Granaman, Burlington, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 slices Italian bread, cubed
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 bunches romaine, torn
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
8 pepperoncini
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°. For croutons, spritz bread cubes with butter-flavored spray; place in a bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder; toss to coat evenly. , Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine romaine, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan cheese, onion and pepperoncini. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 943mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

EASY ITALIAN CROUTONS



Easy Italian Croutons image

Delicious and takes only 15 minutes to make... only 4 main ingredients! Great snack for kids and great appetizer.

Provided by beethovenandante

Categories     Breads

Time 17m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 slices whole wheat bread
1 1/2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons italian seasoning (McCormick of just 1 tsp of favorite dried herbs)
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees on Bake.
  • Cut bread into 3/4 inch wide strips and lay them flat on an aluminum pan (I like to use scissors not knives).
  • Drizzle olive oil onto bread, sprinkle herbs and cheese.
  • Pop into the oven for 15-20 minutes.
  • If you want to make mini croutons for salad, cut the bread into small cubes (instead of step one) and follow same procedure.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 79.6, Fat 3.7, SaturatedFat 0.8, Cholesterol 1.6, Sodium 139.4, Carbohydrate 9.8, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.2, Protein 2.8

ITALIAN SALAD CROUTONS



Italian Salad Croutons image

"These crisp buttery croutons are so good," comments Ellen Benninger of Greenville, Pennsylvania. "I don't know where I got the recipe, but I've been using it for more than 10 years." Toss the croutons in a salad, garnish a bowl of soup with them or sprinkle them on top of a creamy casserole.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 25m

Yield about 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
5 bread slices, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. , Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 46 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 73mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS



Italian Caesar Salad with Polenta Croutons image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 garlic cloves
4 anchovy fillets, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups Basic Polenta, recipe follows
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
3 small heads (or2 large heads) romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 1/2 ounces shaved Parmesan
3 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps:

  • To make the dressing: Finely chop the garlic and anchovies in a food processor. Blend in the lemon juice and mustard. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • To make the croutons: Spread the olive oil over a small baking sheet. Transfer the hot polenta to the baking sheet, spreading evenly to form an 8 by 5 by 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Cover and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
  • Cut the polenta into 3/4-inch cubes. Pat the polenta cubes dry with paper towels. Add enough vegetable oil to a heavy large frying pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil over high heat. Working in batches of 10, carefully add the polenta cubes to the oil 1 at a time and fry until golden brown, stirring to keep the cubes separate, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the polenta croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  • (The dressing and polenta croutons can be prepared 1 day ahead up to this point. Cover the dressing and polenta croutons separately and refrigerate. Rewarm the polenta croutons on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven before serving.)
  • To make the salad: Prepare the barbecue for high heat. Grill the lettuce until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Cut the lettuce into bite-size pieces.
  • On a serving platter, mound the grilled chopped lettuce. Decoratively scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Drizzle with enough dressing to evenly coat. Sprinkle Parmesan and scatter the warm polenta croutons over and serve immediately.
  • Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.
  • Lightly oil a half sheet pan. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.

ITALIAN SALAD CROUTONS



Italian Salad Croutons image

'These crisp buttery croutons are so good,' comments Ellen Benninger of Greenville, Pennsylvania. 'I don't know where I got the recipe, but I've been using it for more than 10 years.' Toss the croutons in a salad, garnish a bowl of soup with them or sprinkle them on top of a creamy casserole.

Provided by Allrecipes Member

Time 25m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 4

¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
5 slices white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 46.9 calories, Carbohydrate 4.1 g, Cholesterol 7.6 mg, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 73.7 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

ITALIAN SALAD CROUTONS



Italian Salad Croutons image

'These crisp buttery croutons are so good,' comments Ellen Benninger of Greenville, Pennsylvania. 'I don't know where I got the recipe, but I've been using it for more than 10 years.' Toss the croutons in a salad, garnish a bowl of soup with them or sprinkle them on top of a creamy casserole.

Provided by Allrecipes Member

Time 25m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 4

¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
5 slices white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 46.9 calories, Carbohydrate 4.1 g, Cholesterol 7.6 mg, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 73.7 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS



Italian Caesar Salad With Polenta Croutons image

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentis from Everyday Italian Show and the Episode: Italian Salads. We used this recipe for a Dr's meeting here and it was liked by all! I had printed copies of the recipe ready for those who wanted them. We used walnuts instead of the pignoli's (personal preference). There is a 2 hour cooling time or if wanted you can prepare the croutons and salad dressing the day before. Then it assembles easily and quickly! We used the polenta croutons in a salad of mixed greens and they were awesome! The Cubans make their polenta or harina de maiz with garlic and the chef snuck some in when preparing the croutons, turned out great!

Provided by Manami

Categories     Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 garlic cloves
4 anchovy fillets, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon olive oil
vegetable oil (for deep frying)
2 cups basic polenta
3 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 2 tablespoons unsalted margarine
3 small head romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise (or 2 large heads)
1/2 cup drained sun-dried tomato packed in oil, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted (we used walnuts)
1 1/2 ounces shaved parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • MAKE THE POLENTA: (Make First).
  • Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan.
  • Add salt.
  • Gradually whisk in the cornmeal.
  • Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Add the butter, and stir until melted.
  • Lightly oil a half sheet pan.
  • Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick.
  • Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
  • MAKE THE DRESSING:.
  • Finely chop the garlic and anchovies in a food processor.
  • Blend in the lemon juice and mustard.
  • With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil.
  • Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • TO MAKE CROUTONS:
  • Cut the polenta into 3/4-inch cubes.
  • Pat the polenta cubes dry with paper towels.
  • Add enough vegetable oil to a heavy large frying pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the pan.
  • Heat the oil over high heat.
  • Working in batches of 10, carefully add the polenta cubes to the oil 1 at a time and fry until golden brown, stirring to keep the cubes separate, about 2 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the polenta croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  • (The dressing and polenta croutons can be prepared 1 day ahead up to this point.
  • Cover the dressing and polenta croutons separately and refrigerate.
  • Rewarm the polenta croutons on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven before serving.)
  • MAKE THE SALAD:.
  • Prepare the barbecue for high heat or grill pan.
  • Grill the lettuce until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
  • Cut the lettuce into bite-size pieces.
  • On a serving platter, mound the grilled chopped lettuce.
  • Decoratively scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts.
  • Drizzle with enough dressing to evenly coat.
  • Sprinkle Parmesan and scatter the warm polenta croutons over and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 917.3, Fat 55.6, SaturatedFat 11.2, Cholesterol 28, Sodium 1044.6, Carbohydrate 94, Fiber 18.2, Sugar 7.4, Protein 21.9

Tips:

  • Choose the right bread: Stale bread, preferably a few days old, is the best choice for croutons. This will help them stay crispy in the oven and absorb the flavors of the seasoning.
  • Cut the bread into uniform cubes: This will help them toast evenly and prevent some croutons from becoming overcooked while others remain undercooked.
  • Season the croutons generously: Don't be shy with the seasonings! A good mix of herbs, spices, and salt will give your croutons tons of flavor.
  • Toss the croutons in oil before baking: This will help them get crispy and prevent them from drying out.
  • Bake the croutons at a high temperature: This will help them get crispy quickly and evenly.
  • Watch the croutons closely while baking: They can burn easily, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven as soon as they're golden brown.

Conclusion:

Making croutons at home is a great way to use up leftover bread and add a crispy, flavorful touch to your salads, soups, and other dishes. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create delicious croutons that are sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you have some stale bread on hand, don't throw it away! Make a batch of croutons instead. You'll be glad you did!

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