How long does it take to bake croutons?

Baking croutons typically takes around 20 minutes, which is the duration required for them to become crispy and golden without burning. This timeframe allows the heat to penetrate the bread, toasting it evenly throughout while also allowing moisture to evaporate, resulting in a crunchy texture. The process involves preheating the oven, placing the cubed bread or stale bread on a baking sheet, and allowing it to bake until they reach the desired crispness.

While slightly shorter or longer times may work depending on the specific oven or the size of the bread pieces, 20 minutes strikes the right balance for most recipes and ensures that croutons are perfectly baked to enhance salads and other dishes without losing flavor or becoming too hard.