If you love a little crunch with your salad or a buttery bite straight from the pan, these Cowboy Croutons are about to become your new obsession. Golden, crispy, and full of flavor, they’re way better than store-bought. Plus, they’re super easy to make, perfect for topping salads, soups, or snacking straight from the pan. The secret? Cowboy butter! It is rich, flavorful, and irresistible, and once you taste it for yourself, you will be excited to try all of my cowboy butter recipes, too! It all started with my homemade croutons, which you will also want to make.
What Is Cowboy Butter?
Cowboy butter is basically butter leveled up. It’s my flavorful compound butter made with garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and a little heat from cayenne or red pepper flakes. It’s tangy, garlicky, and just the right amount of spicy. Seriously, it is the kind of butter that makes everything taste better. I love using it on grilled steak, roasted veggies, baked potatoes, and now, these crunchy croutons. If you’ve never tried it before, this recipe is the perfect excuse to make a batch (and maybe stash some in the freezer for later).
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bread: Any sturdy bread works! Try my simple sourdough, a French baguette (perfect for smaller, extra-crispy croutons), Italian, or a rustic whole-grain loaf. Just make sure it’s not too soft so the croutons crisp up nicely.
- Cowboy Butter: Cowboy butter is the star of these croutons! If you don’t have time to make it, a high-quality softened butter with a pinch of garlic and herbs works in a pinch.
Serving Suggestions for Cowboy Croutons
These Cowboy Croutons are ridiculously versatile:
- Salads: Sprinkle them over Caesar, garden, or chopped salads for instant crunch.
- Soups: Top roasted tomato soup, chicken noodle, or potato soup with a handful for extra flavor and texture.
- Snacking: Sometimes they’re best eaten straight from the pan, no judgment here! But, be warned…once you start snacking on these, there may not be any left for your salad or soup!
- Party Toppers: Add them to dips, casseroles, or macaroni and cheese for a buttery, crunchy twist everyone will love.
FAQs
Can I make Cowboy Croutons ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the croutons a day or two in advance. Store completely cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature and add them to salads or soups just before serving.
Can I use store-bought butter instead of Cowboy Butter?
Absolutely! While homemade Cowboy Butter gives maximum flavor, a high-quality softened butter with a pinch of garlic, herbs, and a little cayenne will still make delicious croutons.
What bread works best for croutons?
Sturdy breads are ideal, like sourdough, French baguette, Italian, or whole-grain loaves. They all crisp up nicely. Softer breads may need extra baking time to get crunchy.
How do I re-crisp croutons that have softened?
If croutons lose their crunch, simply pop them in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want golden and crispy, not browned.
Can I make Cowboy Croutons in an air fryer?
Yes! Instead of baking in the oven, set your air fryer to 350°F. Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray and arrange the bread cubes in a single layer (you may need to work in batches). Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 6-minute mark. You’ll get golden, crispy croutons just like the oven method, fast and easy!
How To Store Cowboy Croutons
Room temperature: Store completely cooled croutons in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze for later: Spread cooled croutons on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep up to 3 months, perfect for last-minute salads, soups, or snacking!
Re-crisping: If croutons get a little soft, pop them in a 350°F oven for 3–5 minutes to bring back the crunch.
Cowboy Croutons
Ingredients
- 9 slices French Bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 12 tablespoons cowboy butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.* Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the cubed French bread to a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted cowboy butter over the top. Toss well with a wooden spoon or your hands until all of the bread cubes are evenly coated.
- Spread the coated bread cubes onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
- Bake for 18-23 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, toss the cubed bread with the melted cowboy butter.
- Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
- Cook for 12 minutes, or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through at the 6minute mark.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
We have the best homemade croutons, and I love them with the cowboy butter, too! I can't stop eating them.
Elizabeth
I love these croutons. I got a little heat from the few I tried, which I loved. And, they are so flavorful from all of the herbs in the cowboy butter.
Stephanie
I could this whole pan just as a snack. Wow, I love them.
Bella
I love the little kick in there. And, the texture is perfect, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Yum!
