Crouton facts for kids

Croutons on a salad

Croutons are small, crunchy pieces of bread that have been toasted or fried until they are golden brown. They are often used to add a nice crunch and flavor to dishes like salads and soup.

What are Croutons?

Croutons are usually made from stale bread, which helps them become extra crispy when cooked. They are cut into small cubes, but sometimes they can be shaped differently, like slices or strips. After being cut, they are often tossed with oil or butter and seasonings before being baked, fried, or air-fried.

How are Croutons Made?

Making croutons is quite simple!

• First, you need some bread, often day-old bread works best.
• The bread is cut into small pieces, usually cubes.
• Next, these bread pieces are mixed with a little bit of olive oil or melted butter.
• You can also add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, or herbs like parsley or oregano to give them extra flavor.
• Finally, the seasoned bread cubes are baked in an oven, fried in a pan, or cooked in an air fryer until they are golden brown and crispy.

Where Did Croutons Come From?

The word "crouton" comes from the French word croûton, which is a small form of croûte. Croûte means "crust" or "scab". In the past, people often used stale bread to avoid wasting food. Making croutons was a clever way to use up old bread and turn it into something delicious. They have been a part of cooking for a very long time, especially in European cuisine.

Uses for Croutons

Croutons are most famous for being added to salads. They give a satisfying crunch that makes a simple salad more exciting.

• Salads: They are a classic topping for many types of salads, especially Caesar salad.
• Soups: Croutons are also popular in soups, like French onion soup, where they might be topped with melted cheese. They soak up some of the soup's flavor but still keep some of their crunch.
• Other Dishes: Sometimes, croutons are used as a garnish for stews or even as a snack on their own. They can also be crushed and used as bread crumbs for coating foods.

Images for kids

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  Croutons in a bowl.

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  Large croutons in a soup.

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  Cheese-covered croutons in an onion soup.