Chef John's Homemade Croutons

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 (8 ounce) loaf french bread baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup finely grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 55 mins


• preheat oven to 300. line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• stir olive oil and garlic together in a bowl. let sit at room temperature until flavors are infused, about 3 hours.
• place bread cubes in a large bowl. pour garlic oil through a strainer the bread; toss to coat bread with oil. add 1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper; toss to coat. spread bread cubes out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. turn croutons and bake 15 minutes more. push croutons together with a spatula so that they are in a compact rectangle on the baking sheet and no longer spread out; sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese over the top. bake until cheese is melted and the bread is crispy and crunchy, 10 to 15 minutes more.