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Making croutons out of bagels is a genius way to reduce waste while upgrading your salads and soups with a chewy, crunchy texture.
You can easily transform day-old bagels into golden, flavorful croutons right in your own kitchen.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to make croutons out of bagels, the answer is simpler than you might think.
In this post, we’ll walk you through every step for making croutons out of bagels, from choosing the right bagel to seasoning ideas that’ll make your taste buds sing.
Let’s dive right in and get those bagels crispy.
Why You Should Try Making Croutons Out Of Bagels
Making croutons out of bagels is a fantastic alternative to using regular sandwich bread.
Bagels have a denser crumb and a chewy crust, which means they hold up better to moisture.
That gives you a crouton that stays crispy longer, even when tossed in a vinaigrette or sitting on top of a warm bowl of soup.
Plus, if you’re someone who always has leftover bagels lying around, you’ll love the fact that you can use them for something delicious instead of throwing them away.
And honestly, the flavor potential is off the charts.
Everything bagels, sesame bagels, or even cinnamon-raisin bagels can each bring their own unique personality to the crouton game.
So let’s talk about the best way to get started.
The Best Type Of Bagel For Croutons
When you’re planning to make croutons out of bagels, you want to think about texture and flavor.
Day-old bagels are perfect because they’re slightly stale, which means they’ll dry out even more evenly in the oven.
Fresh bagels work too, but they might need a little extra time to crisp up properly.
If you love savory dishes, go with plain, everything, or garlic bagels.
If you’re feeling adventurous, a jalapeño-cheddar bagel will give your croutons a spicy kick.
For sweet salads, a cinnamon-raisin bagel can actually be a lovely treat, especially when paired with a fruity vinaigrette.
Whatever you choose, just make sure you’re using a bagel you actually enjoy eating.
How To Make Croutons Out Of Bagels: Step-By-Step
Making croutons out of bagels is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any fancy equipment.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
1. Preheat Your Oven And Prep Your Bagels
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
While it’s heating up, grab your bagels and slice them into bite-sized cubes.
A serrated knife works best for this job because it won’t squish the bagel.
You’re aiming for roughly half-inch to one-inch chunks.
If you like bigger croutons to dip into hummus or chunky soup, go ahead and cut them larger.
Just remember, smaller cubes will get crunchier faster since they have more surface area.
2. Toss In Oil And Seasonings
Once your bagel cubes are ready, place them in a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle generously with olive oil or melted butter.
You want every piece lightly coated but not soaking wet, too much oil will make them greasy instead of crispy.
Now here comes the fun part, seasoning absolutely everything.
A simple combo of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper works wonders.
If you want a herby flavor, add dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
You can also use a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a nutty, salty finish.
Just remember to toss well so each bagel crouton is evenly seasoned.
3. Bake Until Golden And Crispy
Spread your seasoned bagel cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Don’t overcrowd the pan, otherwise, they’ll steam instead of bake.
If you need to use two pans, that’s totally fine.
Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through with a spatula.
Keep a close eye on them near the end because oven temperatures vary.
You’re looking for a deep golden brown color and a hardened texture.
Once they come out of the oven, let them cool completely on the pan.
They’ll continue to crisp up as they cool, which is exactly what you want.
Creative Seasoning Ideas For Bagel Croutons
Now that you know the basic method for making croutons out of bagels, let’s have some fun with flavors.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to seasoning.
Classic Garlic And Herb
This is the go-to for any salad enthusiast.
Mix together two tablespoons of olive oil, one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of dried Italian herbs, and a pinch of salt.
Toss with the bagel cubes and bake as directed.
You’ll get a familiar, comforting taste that pairs with almost anything.
Everything Bagel Seasoning
If you’re making croutons out of an everything bagel, you probably already have that delicious seasoning baked into the bread.
But you can also add a little extra on top.
Sprinkle some store-bought everything bagel seasoning over your oiled cubes.
That mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt gives your croutons a serious crunch upgrade.
Spicy And Smoky
For those who love heat, mix smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and a touch of chili powder into your oil.
This combo turns plain bagel croutons into a bold, smoky snack that’s amazing on top of a spicy tomato soup.
You can even add a dash of cumin for extra depth.
How To Store Your Bagel Croutons
Once you’ve mastered making croutons out of bagels, you’ll want to keep them fresh as long as possible.
Store your cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature.
They should stay crispy for up to two weeks, if they last that long.
Do not refrigerate them, the moisture in the fridge will turn them soft and chewy quickly.
If you notice they’ve lost their crunch, just pop them back in a 300°F oven for a few minutes.
That will help re-crisp them like magic.
You can also freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to three months.
Just thaw them at room temperature and re-crisp in the oven before using.
So, How To Make Croutons Out Of Bagels Like A Pro?
Making croutons out of bagels is truly one of the easiest ways to add a homemade touch to your favorite meals.
The key is to use stale bagels, coat them well in oil and seasonings, and bake them low and slow until perfectly crispy.
Whether you’re using them as a salad topper, a crunchy garnish for a creamy soup, or even just as a snack straight from the baking sheet, they deliver on taste and texture every single time.
So next time you’re staring at a bag of leftover bagels, don’t let them go to waste.
Make croutons out of bagels and enjoy a crispy, flavorful addition to your kitchen table.
Now grab your bagels, preheat that oven, and get ready to enjoy some seriously good homemade croutons.