Cajun Seasoning Croutons are a great way not only to jazz up a salad, but to use up homemade bread. I specifically created this recipe as a way to use leftover Fluffy Dinner Rolls, but now I use it all the time with all kinds of bread.
Up until recently, I made homemade croutons without using a recipe and just seasoning up bread cubes with whatever I felt like. The Cajun Seasoning Croutons were so good I actually wrote down all the measurements and bake times.
Badia Cajun Seasoning
For the record, here's the brand of Cajun seasoning I use. And I'm mentioning this because different brands seem to have different flavors and levels of salt. This one has enough so that you don't need to add any. I do add a dash of sugar, though. It doesn't make the croutons sweet, but it enhances the flavor overall.
Louisiana Fish Fry Brand
Update: I have been buying Louisiana Fish Fry brand Cajun seasoning lately, and it works very well for Cajun Seasoning Croutons. It's a bit saltier than the Badia, so you may want to use slightly less than ¼ teaspoon. A little goes a long way.
Buffalo Croutons
You can also make these as Buffalo Croutons. Just substitute Frank's Red Hot Buffalo seasoning blend for the Cajun blend.
Lazy Crouton Making
As of 2024, homemade croutons are still a favorite way to use up a lot of the extra bread I make. I use this recipe all the time, but sometimes I'm lazy and do it this way: Melt the butter directly on a rimmed baking pan by putting it in the preheating oven. Keep an eye on it. Remove melted butter and swirl in the olive oil (or garlic oil) and seasonings. Toss in the bread. Bake at 400 and reduce heat as mentioned in recipe card or just keep baking at 400 and checking very often. The croutons will be a lot browner, but it's much faster.
Recipe
Cajun Seasoning Croutons
Ingredients
- ¼ pound leftover dinner rolls Fluffy Dinner Rolls or white bread
- 1 ½ teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Louisiana style Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the bread into 1 inch cubes (or any size you want).
- Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the oil and seasonings.
- Toss the cubes in the butter mixture.
- Spread the croutons on a large ungreased baking sheet and bake at 400 for 5 minutes.
- Open door and stir the croutons around, flipping to ensure they’ve browned a bit, then close door and reduce heat to 300. Continue baking for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. When they are nicely browned, let them cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool.
Sue says
I like croutons on soup or a couple just to snack on. I've never made my own! Thanks for the inspiration.
Anna says
My daughter would love that salad!
Sonya says
Yum! Homemade croutons are so delicious! This version sounds great! This reminds me of a recipe for Cajun Blue Caesar Salad from Cook's Country, where they have you make seasoned croutons (they use Old Bay, coriander, and onion powder instead of Cajun seasoning, sugar, and garlic powder, but close enough!), then basically make a traditional Caesar dressing, but using blue cheese as well. It's delicious! These sound fabulous too!!!