Cornbread Croutons Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Oct 11, 2020, Updated Nov 06, 2023

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

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.

How do you keep homemade croutons crunchy? ›

Simply make your croutons, place them into a freezer-friendly bag or container, and store them in the freezer. Take them out to thaw and then you're ready to enjoy!

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

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.

What happens if you use water instead of milk in Jiffy cornbread mix? ›

You can just use water instead which is what most cornbread mixes ask for in the first. I've used both before and it normally turns out good either way. If you don't want to use water though some other milk substitutes are usually other dairy products like yogurt, sour cream, or half and half.

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

How do you store croutons so they don't get soft? Let your baked croutons cool completely, store them in a zip-top bag, and remove as much excess air from the bag as possible.

How long will homemade croutons last? ›

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.

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.

Should you let cornbread batter rest? ›

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.

How to keep jiffy cornbread from falling apart? ›

Why Is Jiffy Mix So Crumbly? The recipe on the box doesn't give the batter as much moisture as I like in my cornbread, which is why it can sometimes turn out crumbly. Adding in the sour cream and vegetable oil makes a huge difference and makes the best moist cornbread.

Why is my cornbread not crunchy? ›

A scattering of dry coarse cornmeal in the hot skillet before you pour in the batter makes the cornbread extra crunchy. Flipping it onto a plate or rack also helps the crust stay crisp. Or you could make it thicker and cook it ahead of time, then split the slices and toast them before serving.

How to crisp up soggy croutons? ›

If you have leftovers, you can simply re-crisp them by running them back in the oven for about 5 minutes on 350 degrees.

How to fix stale croutons? ›

Let croutons cool in a single layer on the baking sheet. Use immediately or keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To refresh stale croutons, bake for 3 to 4 minutes at 400 degrees.

Can you crush croutons to make breadcrumbs? ›

If a recipe calls for dry bread crumbs but you don't have any on hand, use packaged croutons. Place them in a resealable bag and smash them with a rolling pin. Crumbs made from seasoned croutons add extra flavor!

What does adding extra egg to muffin mix do? ›

Eggs are responsible for giving baked goods structure, which means the amount you use directly affects the resulting texture. Using too few eggs will make your desserts dense, but using too many will make them rubbery.

What does the egg do in cornbread? ›

The primary purpose of using eggs in cornbread (and with other baked goods) is to bind the ingredients together. By holding the ingredients together, the egg improves the mixture's structure and texture while allowing you to create a gel-like substance for easier processing.

What is the purpose of eggs in a muffin mix? ›

Whole eggs, egg yolks and egg whites are all used to add structure to batters. The yolk's elevated fat content helps it bind fats and liquids together through what's called an emulsion.

What does an extra egg do to batter? ›

When eggs are balanced with liquids and fats like water, oil, and butter, they ensure that your cake doesn't turn into a soupy mess, but adding too many of them adds too much structure, leaving you with a cake that's rubbery and dense.

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