I Can’t Stop Eating These Croutons | Cook’s Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

Why are croutons so high in calories? ›

Croutons. Croutons aren't the worst offenders when it comes to diet-disasters, but they add calories from processed grains without providing any nutritional benefit. 3 And many times the croutons are fried so they add unnecessary fat to your otherwise healthy meal.

A crouton (/ˈkruːtɒn/) is a piece of toasted or fried bread, normally cubed and seasoned. Croutons are used to add texture and flavor to salads—notably the Caesar salad— as an accompaniment to soups and stews, or eaten as a snack food.

If you're baking your croutons, make sure they are well-spaced-out on a shallow tray to ensure they crisp evenly and they don't steam, causing them to become soggy. They also need to be in a single layer and not touching. If you're frying the croutons, toss the pan regularly to make sure they crisp evenly.

Why is it unhealthy? Croutons can add some delicious crunch to your salad, but they can also add calories. You might be surprised to learn that just a cup of croutons can add an estimated 120 calories to your salad, and that number goes up to 180 if they are the seasoned variety.

You can use them in salads, as a garnish for soup, chowder, chili, in your favorite stuffing, grind them up in a food processor to make breadcrumbs, and so much more! You will never buy croutons again…and you will want to use them in anything and everything because they are so good!

Obviously, there's no law saying croutons can't be eaten like a snack, but certain things can give you the sense it's discouraged. One of those things: the suggested serving size on the back of the package, which is typically two tablespoons.

Worst: Crispy Chicken Salad

A green salad with chicken may sound like a healthy meal, but descriptions like “crispy” and “crunchy” are red flags. These words are code for breaded and deep-fried, which can turn that healthy-sounding salad into a calorie bomb.

Almonds, walnuts, or pecans add a delightful crunch to salads and are rich in healthy fats and protein. They provide a nutrient-dense alternative to croutons, supporting heart health and satiety.

Croutons. Although croutons may be a delicious way to add some crunch to your salad, beware: they're often packed with carbohydrates and "typically filled with preservatives and ingredients that can be inflammatory to the body," as Dr. Lee points out.

What is the shelf life of homemade croutons? ›

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.

Homemade croutons will keep fresh for weeks when properly stored, so they're great for making ahead. To Store: Once the baked croutons have cooled completely to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or large zip-top bag. Store them on the counter for up to 2 weeks.

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.

Select fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid pickles, canned or marinated vegetables, cured meats, seasoned croutons, cheeses, and salted seeds. Order salad dressings on the side, and use small amounts of them.

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams). Same goes for tortilla strips or wontons.

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

Croutons: Yes, you can freeze them! Cube stale bread and toast it for a few minutes. Then, place the croutons into a resealable freezer bag and stow in the freezer. You can also freeze the uncooked bread cubes and toast them at a later time.

Any kind of piece of bread that has been toasted or fried to crunchy crispness counts as a crouton. They are easy to make and are a very useful way of using up leftover bread as well as adding a crunch and texture to salads, soups, vegetable dishes and even omelettes.

Crouton History

The word itself is derived from the French culinary terms 'croute' and 'croustade,' which refer to the outer crust of a loaf of bread. In turn, these are rooted in the Latin word 'crusta,' which means 'shell'.

By Themselves

Yes, you really can eat croutons as a snack. Just open the bag and pop them in your mouth. If you really want to go wild, you can make your own croutons to snack on. To make homemade croutons, all you need is some day-old bread, olive oil or butter, and seasoning.

Will croutons get soggy in the fridge? ›

Keep crispy stuff and cheesy stuff off

Since a salad is typically a high-moisture dish, it's best to keep anything crispy or cheesy off until serving. Crispy items such as croutons or fried wontons will become soggy and cheese will become soft.

A. Regarding nutritional value, croutons and bread are practically identical. Therefore, croutons, especially those made from whole-grain bread, might provide limited health benefits. Moreover, most croutons have more sodium than your store-bought bread.

How croutons can lead to inflammation and weight gain. Although this beloved ingredient is undeniably delicious, Dr. Lee warns that frequently consuming salads that are loaded with croutons can negate the health benefits of an otherwise nutritious meal and may lead to inflammation and weight gain over time.

If you're someone who loves croutons and maybe want to snack them from time to time, an excellent route to take is to look for Low Carb Croutons. They have a much lower carb content than the traditional ones, so you won't have to feel guilt with every bite!