Are Croutons Gluten Free? (& GF Croutons Recipe)

Last Updated on April 26, 2022

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: are croutons gluten free? And taking a look at how to make your own croutons, and where to buy gluten-free croutons from. Croutons are like tiny pieces of crunchy goodness, and they elevate many dishes to the next level. But are they typically gluten-free? Or do they need to be avoided on a gluten-free diet? Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Croutons?

Croutons are essentially small pieces of bread. They’re often in cube shapes. Bread is rebaked and then seasonings and oils are typically added to make them even tastier. You can add them to a range of dishes to add an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Read more about: Substitute For Panko Bread Crumbs Gluten Free

Nutritional Information Of Croutons

If you’re looking for the nutritional value of croutons – then look no further. A cup of croutons, which is around 30g, contains the following:

• Calories: 122
• Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrate: 22g
• Protein: 3.6g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.5g

What Are Croutons Used For

Croutons are most notably used in salads (caesar salads, to be exact). However, croutons can be used in many dishes, such as:

• soups
• stews
• scrambled eggs
• stuffed tomatoes
• omelets

…you can even enjoy them as a tasty snack!

Are Croutons Gluten Free?

As you can probably tell from the information above – croutons are absolutely not gluten-free. It is very unlikely that the croutons you buy in your local grocery store or are served in your local restaurant will be gluten-free. This is because the main ingredient when it comes to croutons is bread. And of course, bread is made from wheat – and wheat is a gluten-containing grain.

However, don’t feel too disheartened! There are gluten-free options, as well as the choice to make your own – which is much easier than you may think.

Gluten Free Crouton Brands

If you’re looking for croutons that are ready to use in your cooking, then look no further. Here are our top picks of gluten-free croutons.

Aleia’s

Aleia’s is a brand that offers a range of gluten-free products, including cookies, stuffing, breadcrumbs, and of course, croutons. In fact, they offer two different kinds of gluten-free options! The flavors they offer are:

• Classic Croutons
• Parmesan Croutons

Aleia’s is great for a range of people, as they cater to gluten-free diets – but they’re also soy-free, corn-free, trans-fat-free, low sodium, kosher and non-GMO. You can find out more about their products here.

Olivia’s

It’s worth noting that Olivia’s is not exclusively a gluten-free brand. However, they do offer a certified gluten-free option of croutons in their Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons. They are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and these croutons look extra crispy and seasoned – which is just how I like them.

Other Brands

While those are my go-to choices, other gluten-free brands that you may enjoy are Gillian’s, which offers garlic croutons, and New Grains Gluten Free Bakery, which offers classic croutons.

How To Make Gluten Free Croutons: Recipe

Making your own croutons couldn’t be easier, and what’s great about homemade croutons is that you can add whichever seasonings and flavorings you’d like. We’re going to be taking a look at this gluten-free croutons recipe from The Spruce Eats; one of my go-to gluten-free blogs.

Ingredients

The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:

• 4 cups of gluten-free bread (cubed)
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of oregano

Recipe

Now all you need to do is:

Step 1: Prepare

Preheat your oven to 275F and gather the ingredients listed above. You’ll also want to grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, in preparation for rebaking the bread.

Step 2: Make the Croutons

Using a knife, cut the bread into cubes (around half an inch in size) and place them in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, add the seasonings and oil and stir. Pour the oil into the mixing bowl with the cubed bread and toss well to ensure the bread is completely covered.

Step 3: Bake

Place the seasoned cubes onto your prepared baking sheet and bake in the center of your oven for around an hour. The cubes should be golden in color and crispy. Turn your oven off, but leave the croutons in there for around another half hour. Remove from the oven and store in an airtight container for best results. Enjoy!

Read more about Paleo Bread Crumb Substitutes

Gluten Free Crouton Alternative

If you’re looking for texture in your salad from something other than croutons, or you’re simply searching for a healthier gluten-free alternative, why not try one of these options?

• Toasted Nuts and Seeds (sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, walnuts – the possibilities are endless)
• Roasted Vegetables (sweet potatoes and parsnips are ideal)
• Polenta
• Crispy Chickpeas
• Kale Chips
• Dried Apple Chips

If it’s crispy, dry, and small – it’ll probably work as a replacement for croutons.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question: are croutons gluten-free? And also gives you an idea of how to make your own croutons at home, as well as the best gluten-free brands. Croutons couldn’t be easier to make yourself! It’s worth mentioning that using bread that’s slightly stale gets the best results.

Do you know of any other gluten-free crouton brands that didn’t make the list? Or do you have your own recipe you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

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