These keto croutons are golden, crispy, and packed with flavor—perfect for topping soups, tossing into salads, or even adding to your favorite low carb stuffing. They have that satisfying crunch you’d expect from traditional croutons but without all the carbs.
With just 2g net carbs per serving, they also make a great savory keto snack on their own! Once you try them, you’ll want to keep a batch on hand at all times.
Making your own keto croutons at home is super easy—and the best part? They’re ready in just 30 minutes! Start with a quick 90-second keto bread (or use leftover low carb bread like almond flour bread or egg-free keto bread).
Simply cube the bread, toss it with olive oil and your favorite spices, then bake until they’re golden and crunchy on the outside. These low carb croutons are perfect for salads, soups, chili, casseroles, or even keto stuffing. You can also pulse them in a food processor to make flavorful keto breadcrumbs!
Are Croutons Keto-Friendly?
Traditional croutons are not keto-friendly because they’re made with wheat flour and often contain added sugars or starches—making them high in carbs and not suitable for a low carb lifestyle.
The good news? These homemade keto croutons are made with low-carb ingredients and still deliver that same crispy, flavorful crunch you love—just without all the carbs! They’re the perfect substitute for regular croutons on a keto diet.
Why You’ll Love These Low Carb Croutons
- Gluten-free, grain-free, and low carb – all the flavor of traditional croutons without the carbs.
- Crispy, golden, and full of flavor – perfectly seasoned and baked to crunchy perfection.
- Super versatile – great for salads, soups, casseroles, or even as a crunchy topping for keto mac and cheese.
- Only 3g net carbs per serving – totally keto-friendly and guilt-free.
- Quick and easy – ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
- Great for meal prep – make a big batch and store them for the week.
- Budget-friendly – made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- Kid-approved – even picky eaters enjoy the crunch and flavor.
- Doubles as breadcrumbs – just pulse in a food processor for easy low carb bread crumbs.
Keto Croutons Ingredients
One of the best things about these homemade low carb croutons is how simple they are to make. You only need a few basic ingredients—most of which you probably already have in your kitchen!
For the Bread:
- Eggs – Help bind everything together. Use large, room temperature eggs to avoid any eggy smell or texture.
- Almond Flour – A staple in keto baking. Be sure to use super-fine blanched almond flour for the best texture.
- Baking Powder – Gives the bread a light, fluffy texture similar to traditional wheat bread.
- Butter – Adds rich flavor and helps the bread stay moist.
For the Coating
- Olive Oil – Helps crisp up the croutons and gives them that golden, toasty finish. You can also use melted unsalted butter for extra flavor.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds a bold, delicious flavor. Garlic powder can work in a pinch.
- Dried Herbs – Use your favorites! Try oregano, parsley, basil, thyme, or a mix of Italian seasoning.
How To Make These Keto Croutons
This is hands-down the best low carb croutons recipe I’ve made—and the fact that it’s ready in just 30 minutes, bread included, makes it a total win! Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the Oven. Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the Quick Keto Bread. In a mixing bowl, combine all the bread ingredients and stir until well combined.
Pour the batter into a greased square glass dish and microwave on high for 3 minutes, or until the bread is firm and cooked through. Let it cool completely before cutting. - Cube the Bread. Once the bread is cool, cut it into ¾-inch cubes and place them into a large bowl.
- Season the Croutons. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the bread cubes are evenly coated.
- Bake Until Golden. Spread the croutons in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until they’re crispy and golden brown.
Air Fryer Option
You can also make these croutons in the air fryer. Just cook at 350°F for about 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
How to Serve Keto Croutons
One of the best things about these easy keto croutons is how versatile they are! Here are some tasty ways to enjoy them:
- Toss them into salads for extra crunch and flavor—especially great in a keto Caesar salad.
- Top your favorite soups, like keto tomato soup or creamy cauliflower soup.
- Use them in low carb stuffing for a cozy, comforting side dish.
- Snack on them as-is—they’re super crunchy and satisfying!
- Add to a keto wrap or lettuce wrap for an extra pop of texture.
These homemade croutons are such a great low carb staple, you might want to double the batch and keep some on hand all week!
Storing Ideas for Keto Croutons
- Fridge – Store your cooled croutons in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They stay crunchy and fresh!
- Freezer – Want to keep them even longer? Pop the croutons into a resealable freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, just let them come to room temperature or re-crisp them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Croutons?
Croutons are simply cubes of bread that can be sautéed, baked, or fried and often have some extra seasonings added for flavor. They are used in salads, cream soups, or for stuffings.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Sure, if you want to enjoy freshly baked keto croutons, you can make the bread, slice it into cubes, freeze the uncooked bread cubes, and toast them later.
Other Keto Bread Recipes
- The Best Keto Cornbread Recipe
- Keto Zucchini Bread
- The Best Egg-Free High Protein Keto Bread
- Easy Keto Blueberry Bread with Lemon Cheesecake Frosting
Keto Croutons
Description
Ingredients
Bread
- 3 eggs large, room temperature
- 9 tbsp almond flour or 3 tbsp coconut flour
- 3 tbsp butter or coconut oil, melted
- 1 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Topping
- 3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 2 tbsp Parmesan finely grated
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ⅓ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the keto bread base. In a medium bowl, mix all the bread ingredients until smooth. Pour the batter into a square, microwave-safe glass dish and microwave on high for about 3 minutes, or until the bread feels firm to the touch. Let it cool completely.
- Cut the bread into cubes. Once the bread has cooled, slice it into ¾-inch cubes and place them in a large bowl.
- Season the croutons. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the bread cubes are evenly coated.
- Bake. Spread the croutons out on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until they’re golden, crisp, and aromatic. Flip halfway through for even baking.
- Serve or store. Enjoy right away, or let them cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.