If you’ve ever dined at Texas Roadhouse, you know those warm, buttery rolls steal the show — but the crunchy, golden croutons on their salads are equally unforgettable. Perfectly seasoned, crisp on the outside, and tender inside, these little bites of flavor elevate any salad, soup, or even a simple snack.
The good news? You don’t need to visit the restaurant every time a craving strikes. You can easily recreate the Texas Roadhouse croutons recipe at home with just a few pantry ingredients. Whether you’re meal-prepping salads for the week or adding crunch to your soups, these homemade croutons will be your new kitchen staple.
Let’s dive into how to make these buttery, garlicky, perfectly seasoned Texas Roadhouse-style croutons — step by step!
🥖 Why You’ll Love This Texas Roadhouse Croutons Recipe
- Restaurant-quality flavor: Buttery, garlicky, and crispy, just like the real deal.
- Simple ingredients: You likely already have everything in your kitchen.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasonings to your taste — make them spicy, cheesy, or herby.
- Versatile: Perfect for salads, soups, casseroles, or as a crunchy snack.
- Long shelf life: These store beautifully, so you can enjoy them all week long.
🍞 Ingredients You’ll Need for Texas Roadhouse Croutons Recipe
To recreate the Texas Roadhouse croutons recipe, gather the following ingredients:
For the Croutons:
- 1 loaf Texas toast or thick white bread (day-old bread works best)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional for color and a hint of smokiness)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pro Tip: Texas Roadhouse croutons are known for being rich and buttery, so don’t skip the butter — that’s what gives them their iconic flavor and crunch.
🔪 How to Make Texas Roadhouse Croutons (Step-by-Step)
Follow these easy steps to make your croutons perfectly crispy and flavorful every time.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Cut the Bread
Cut your loaf of bread into 1-inch cubes. Try to keep them uniform so they toast evenly.
If you’re using fresh bread, let the cubes sit out for about 30 minutes to slightly dry out — this helps them absorb more buttery flavor without getting soggy.
Step 3: Prepare the Seasoned Butter Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Melted butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried parsley
- Oregano
- Paprika
- A pinch of salt and pepper
This mixture will give the croutons their signature Texas Roadhouse buttery flavor.
Step 4: Toss the Bread Cubes
Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle the butter mixture evenly over them.
Gently toss until every cube is well coated — don’t crush them; you want them to stay fluffy inside.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Crispy
Spread the coated cubes on your baking sheet in a single layer (no overlapping).
Bake for 10 minutes, stir the croutons, and then bake for another 8–10 minutes until they are golden brown and crisp.
Every oven is slightly different, so keep an eye on them — they can go from golden to burnt quickly!
Step 6: Cool and Store
Once done, remove the croutons from the oven and let them cool completely on the pan.
They’ll continue to crisp up as they cool.
Store them in an airtight container or glass jar at room temperature for up to 7 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
🧈 Copycat Texas Roadhouse Croutons Tips for Success
- Use day-old bread: Slightly stale bread holds up better and gives a crispier texture.
- Don’t skip the butter: It’s what sets this recipe apart from regular croutons.
- Toss halfway through baking: Ensures even browning and prevents burnt edges.
- Cool completely before storing: Trapped steam can make them soggy.
- For extra crunch: After baking, turn off the oven and leave croutons inside with the door cracked open for 10 minutes.
🥗 How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Croutons
These croutons are incredibly versatile! Here are some delicious ways to use them:
- 🥬 Classic Caesar Salad: Adds the perfect crunch to creamy Caesar dressing.
- 🍅 Garden Salad: Pairs beautifully with ranch or honey mustard dressing.
- 🍲 Soups: Sprinkle over tomato soup, potato soup, or creamy broccoli cheddar.
- 🧀 Casseroles: Use as a topping for baked mac and cheese or chicken casserole.
- 🍽️ Snack: Yes, they’re that good — crunchy, salty, buttery snacks on their own!
🔄 Variations of Texas Roadhouse Croutons
Want to mix things up? Try these fun variations:
1. Parmesan Garlic Croutons
Add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese to your butter mixture before baking for a cheesy, savory twist.
2. Spicy Cajun Croutons
Add ½ teaspoon of Cajun seasoning or a pinch of chili flakes for a zesty kick.
3. Herb Lovers’ Croutons
Use Italian seasoning, rosemary, and thyme for an aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with soups.
4. Honey Butter Croutons
Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the melted butter mixture for a slightly sweet and savory variation — perfect for topping sweet salads or butternut squash soup.
5. Air Fryer Texas Roadhouse Croutons
Don’t want to turn on your oven? Toss your coated bread cubes in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes, shaking halfway through until golden and crispy.
🧊 How to Store and Keep Them Fresh
At Room Temperature:
Store cooled croutons in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
In the Refrigerator:
Store in a sealed bag or jar for up to 2 weeks.
Re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 3–5 minutes before serving.
In the Freezer:
Yes, you can freeze them! Spread the baked, cooled croutons on a tray, freeze until solid, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat directly in the oven at 350°F for 5–10 minutes to revive their crunch.
🍽️ What Makes Texas Roadhouse Croutons So Special?
Texas Roadhouse croutons stand out because of:
- Thick bread: Texas toast gives a hearty crunch that doesn’t disintegrate in dressing.
- Real butter: That unmistakable flavor comes from rich melted butter, not oil alone.
- Perfect seasoning: Garlic, parsley, and paprika create a balanced, savory bite.
- Double texture: Crispy outside and tender inside — unlike many store-bought croutons that are hard all the way through.
This combination of flavors and textures makes them truly irresistible and a must-try for any salad lover.
🧄 Homemade vs. Store-Bought Croutons
| Feature | Homemade Texas Roadhouse Croutons | Store-Bought Croutons |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Fresh, buttery, customizable | Often bland or overly salty |
| Texture | Crispy outside, soft inside | Usually dry and hard |
| Ingredients | Simple, natural | Preservatives and additives |
| Cost | Budget-friendly | More expensive per serving |
| Freshness | Made-to-order | Shelf-stable, less fresh |
Homemade wins every time — especially when you can control the flavor and texture.
🌿 Make It Healthier
If you want a lighter version of this Texas Roadhouse croutons recipe, try these easy swaps:
- Use whole wheat bread for added fiber.
- Replace half the butter with olive oil.
- Reduce salt and use herbs for flavor instead.
- Bake on parchment to reduce the need for excess oil.
They’ll still taste amazing but with fewer calories and more nutrients!
🕒 Quick Recipe Recap
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: About 6 cups of croutons
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf Texas toast or thick bread
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp parsley
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut bread into 1-inch cubes.
- Mix butter, oil, and seasonings.
- Toss cubes in butter mixture until coated.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container.
🥄 Serving Suggestions
Here are some delicious dishes that pair perfectly with these croutons:
- Texas Roadhouse Caesar Salad
- Loaded Potato Soup
- Grilled Chicken Salad
- Homemade Chili or Stew
- Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
They also make a fantastic holiday side dish or a topping for Thanksgiving stuffing!
❤️ Final Thoughts on the Texas Roadhouse Croutons Recipe
This Texas Roadhouse croutons recipe proves that simple ingredients can create restaurant-quality results at home. With their buttery crunch and garlicky aroma, these croutons will transform your salads and soups into something truly special.
Once you try making them yourself, you’ll never go back to store-bought versions again. Keep a jar of these crispy bites in your kitchen, and you’ll always have the perfect finishing touch for your meals.
So grab that loaf of bread, melt some butter, and enjoy the irresistible crunch of homemade Texas Roadhouse croutons!