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    You are here: Home / Dairy-Free Products / Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons

    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons

    Published: June 22, 2019. Last Updated: June 30, 2020 by: Ginny McMeans

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    Overhead photo of a plate of bright green salad with croutons in a bowl next to it.

    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons are simple to make and it all starts with a favorite banana bread recipe. They are a great salad topping and even a delicious snack. Surprise your friends and family with this special addition to salads.

    Overhead view of croutons sprinkled on a green salad.

    Green leaf salads are a magical appetizer. They can be loaded with chopped veggies in endless variations. There can even be fruit added. Maybe sliced strawberries or maybe even just a strawberry vinaigrette.

    But I have a surprise for you that you may never have thought of. Something that is a perfect addition and helps make a good salad great.

    We all know about croutons. Those lovely little bread squares that are roasted and sometimes seasoned. Sprinkle them over salads and have as a snack.

    Well, here's a twist. Banana Bread Croutons! Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons to be exact. I've been wanting to give this recipe to you for a long time now.

    Last summer a bunch of my relatives and I went on a trip to Maui. We walked over to one of our favorite restaurants and my  niece got this beautiful salad and in a surprised voice she says, "These are banana bread croutons!" "What?", I said, just as surprised.

    We both looked at each other with the same look on our faces and she says "You can put these on your blog!"

    So here I am passing along this 'little something extra' that you can do at home - just like that cool fancy restaurant.

    I've made this recipe using my recipe for Banana Bread Squares. It's really popular on the blog but you can use any banana bread recipe that you like.

    Banana Bread croutons in a bowl sitting next to a green salad with other added veggies.

    Pro Tips for this Homemade Croutons Recipe

    • It's very easy to make croutons from a recipe that was made in an 8"x8" pan. You can make a loaf also but then you have to cut it in 1" slices through the depth of the banana bread.
    • You can see below how easy it is to handle if you use an 8"x8" pan.

    Overhead view of banana bread sliced in 1 inch slices waiting to be sliced into squares.

    • You just take the banana bread out of the pan and make even slices through the bread, ¾" to 1" each.
    • Don't cut into squares yet. It is easier to handle in larger pieces. Cut each slice into 2" lengths and it is much easier to dot with oil.
    • Brush the baking sheet first and then lay the pieces on the pan. Then brush the top of each banana bread slice with more oil. This will help them brown beautifully.
    • See the photo below for a quick visual of what I mean.

    • Nice!
    • See, those 2" strips are much easier to brush with oil. Then cut those in half after they've been baked/broiled for the squares. All done.
    • You don't need to brown the last one side that has been cut. The other sides of the square are crispy enough and actually just right. Aren't they pretty?

    They taste as good as they look. That lovely sweetened toasted flavor mixed with a fresh green salad makes for a feast.

    Fat squares of toasted banana bread croutons spread against a wooden cutting board.

    How To Store Croutons

    I store my croutons in an airtight food storage container or a zip-top bag for up to three days. This is a big bunch of storage containers but you'll be surprised how much you'll use them. All of them!

    You can store them in the refrigerator for about five days.

    Homemade croutons can also be put in the freezer. I use the same freezer storage container as shown above. You can also use zip lock freezer bags. When ready to use, spread the croutons onto a baking sheet and bake at 250-275 degrees F for about 10 minutes to defrost and make crispy again.

    This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

    What Do You Think?

    If you'd like to leave a star rating along with a comment, it would really be appreciated.

    And if you take a photo of your healthy homemade recipe, follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer. You could even use my hashtag #VeganInTheFreezer. I'd love to see it!

    Overhead photo of a bright green salad with croutons in a small bowl sitting on the same plate.

    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons

    Ginny McMeans
    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons are simple to make & it all starts with a favorite banana bread recipe.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Save Saved
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course How-To's
    Cuisine Croutons
    Servings 24 Ounces
    Calories 81 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 recipe baked Banana Bread Squares
    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Make sure you use a square pan even if you use your own recipe. It makes the slicing much easier.
    • Remove from the pan and let cool. Slice in about ¾" to 1" strips.
    • Don't cut in squares yet. It is easier to toast this way.
    • Brush oil on a baking sheet.
    • Lay the strips of banana bread on the baking sheet with one of the cut sides down.
    • Brush more oil on the top of each strip.
    • Turn on your broiler and broil for 1 to 1 ½ minutes until just golden brown.
    • Don't walk away. Check at 45 seconds and then at a minute. In the last few seconds they start to get very brown very quickly.
    • Remove from the oven and flip each strip over so that the other cut side is up.
    • Brush with oil again and lightly brown under the broiler as you did the other side. Remember don't walk away. It just takes seconds.
    • Take out of the oven an let cool. Cut into cubes.
    • The newly cut edges do not have to be toasted. The croutons will be crunchy enough as they are.
    • After they have cooled keep in an airtight container or zip lock bag and serve on fresh salads.

    Notes

    How To Store Whole Wheat Banana Bread Croutons
    I store my croutons in an airtight food storage container or a zip-top bag for up to three days. This is a big bunch of storage containers but you'll be surprised how much you'll use them. All of them!
    You can store them in the refrigerator for about five days.
    Homemade croutons can also be put in the freezer. I use the same freezer storage container as shown above. You can also use zip lock freezer bags. When ready to use, spread the croutons onto a baking sheet and bake at 250-275 degrees F for about 10 minutes to defrost and make crispy again.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2OuncesCalories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 10gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 56mgPotassium: 25mgVitamin A: 90IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.3mg
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sandi

      June 22, 2019 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a crazy clever idea Ginny. I love it!

    2. Tisha

      June 22, 2019 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars
      Love making homemade croutons! These banana bread ones look so good!

    3. Sarah

      June 23, 2019 at 12:44 am

      5 stars
      There you go, never thought to use them this way, love the idea!

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    For years I dabbled in cooking vegan food, but since I became a mom it has become more important for me than ever. What I’m after is a great collection of healthy and not time-consuming vegan recipes that make the whole family look forward to meals together.

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