Soup and salad croutons

Soup and salad croutons are small, toasted or fried bread cubes, typically made from stale baguette or sourdough, tossed in oil or butter with herbs like garlic, parsley, or oregano. They originated as a practical way to use leftover bread and have become a staple garnish in Western cuisines, especially in American and European cooking.

🍳 View the full Soup and salad croutons recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Croutons are primarily a source of carbohydrates from the bread, with added fats from oil or butter, and minimal protein. A typical 1/2-cup serving (about 30 grams) provides roughly 120-150 calories, along with small amounts of iron and B vitamins from the enriched flour.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	180 kcal
Protein	4 g
Carbs	22 g
Fat	9 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	2 g
Sodium	380 mg
Potassium	250 mg
Calcium	60 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Vitamin A	120 mcg
Vitamin C	8 mg
Vitamin K	45 mcg
Folate	40 mcg
Magnesium	25 mg

Per 1 cup (150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Croutons are a classic example of 'waste-not' cooking, transforming stale bread into a textural contrast for soups and salads. Nutritionally, they add crunch but can be high in sodium and fats depending on preparation, making them a flavorful yet calorie-dense topping.