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National Crouton Day

Celebrate National Crouton Day with a delicious salad - top it off with some crunchy croutons for the perfect snack or meal!

Thursday

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMay 13

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYSide Dishes

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Crouton Day on May 13 by enjoying the crunchy, savory goodness of croutons! This day was created in 2004 to honor one of the most beloved toppings for salads and soups. Croutons are believed to have been first used as far back as ancient Greece, when breads would be broken up into small pieces and flavored with herbs. Today, you can find them in a variety of flavors from classic garlic to cheesy parmesan!

TIMELINE

National Crouton Day Timeline

Crouton Origins

Breads were broken up into small pieces and flavored with herbs, creating the earliest form of croutons in ancient Greece.

French Influence

The term 'crouton' emerged in France, derived from the French 'croûton', meaning crust or little piece of crust.

Industrialized Crouton Production

Crouton-making became industrialized, with many companies producing dried, cubed bread packaged and sold specifically as croutons.

Flavor Innovations

This period saw the introduction of variety of crouton flavors such as garlic, onion, cheese, butter and many more becoming popular household choices.

National Crouton Day established

National Crouton Day was created to honor one of the most beloved toppings for salads and soups.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Crouton Day

Make your own croutons

Making homemade croutons is surprisingly simple. You can use any type of bread or even leftover rolls or buns. Cut the bread into cubes and toss with some oil, salt and your favorite herbs or seasonings. Bake for about 15 minutes at 375°F until golden brown.

Go out for croutons

Search online for local restaurants that offer croutons on their menu. Whether it's a salad topped with fresh croutons or an appetizer served with crunchy crouton chips, you can find a variety of dishes featuring this beloved ingredient.

THROW

Throw a crouton party

Invite your friends over for a celebration of all things crouton! Have everyone bring their favorite recipes featuring this crunchy treat and get creative in the kitchen together.

MAKE

Make a crouton cake

Why not take a classic dessert to the next level by adding some crunch? Make a layer cake and top each layer with crushed croutons instead of frosting to create a unique and delicious treat.

TRY

Try different flavors

Experiment with different flavor combinations when making your own croutons! Add cheese, spices, nuts, dried fruits, or anything else you can think of to make your own signature blend.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Crouton Day

Cheese & crouton combos are amazing

One of the best things about croutons? They taste incredible when paired with cheese. Whether it's melty cheddar on a burger or creamy feta on a salad, adding croutons will take your cheesy dishes to another level completely!

Croutons add crunch & texture

Croutons are the perfect addition to any salad or soup, and give it a much needed crunch. Whether they're plain or flavoured with garlic or herbs, croutons always add a nice layer of texture and flavour that really helps to elevate the dish!

Croutons are simple to make

Making your own croutons at home is surprisingly easy. All you need is some stale bread, butter, seasonings, and an oven - and voila! You have delicious homemade croutons in no time. Plus, they store well in an airtight container and can be used for up to two weeks.