Homemade Croutons

I made these to serve with my split pea soup and they were so good!

HOMEMADE CROUTONS

• ½ cup olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 1 (8 ounce) loaf French bread baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• ¾ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided

• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Directions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.

Step 2

Stir olive oil and garlic together in a bowl. Let sit at room temperature until flavors are infused, about 3 hours.

Step 3

Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour garlic oil through a strainer onto 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.

Step 4

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.