Soup Season Ft. ROYO Croutons!

Disclaimer: we LOVE bread (for many reasons). It’s delicious and diverse, perfect for savory sandwiches, sweet and satisfying French toast, golden crumbs on top of your favorite baked pasta dish… the possibilities are endless. 

Here at ROYO Bread Co., our goal is to help you fulfill that oh-so-familiar bread craving while also keeping your meals low carb and high fiber (with a protein hit for extra measure). 

But have you ever thought about using your ROYO loaves, buns or bagels as crispy, crunchy croutons sprinkled over top of your favorite hearty soup!? That’s right! Meet your new BFFs. These are about to change your life - just in time for soup season.

ROYO croutons couldn’t be quicker or easier to make. Simply:

1. Cut your ROYO bread of choice into crouton-sized cubes – large or small is up to you! Just try to make sure that all your crouton pieces are uniform, so they can bake evenly.
2. Place on a metal sheet pan – to avoid sticking, cover your sheet pan with parchment paper first. Baking trays made out of metal are best to achieve that signature crouton crunch!
3. Add a pinch of salt and a generous drizzle of olive oil, and mix well. 

Note 1: Feel free to experiment and switch things up with additions such as garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning (if you’re feeling adventurous!).

Note 2: For a lighter alternative, you can also use a zero-calorie cooking spray, although your croutons may get slightly less crispy this way.

1. Oven-bake at 375 degrees until golden (normally around 10-15 minutes). Flip your croutons approximately half-way through the cooking process for even browning.
2. Let cool on a wire rack for maximum crunch– this way, the air can circulate around the croutons, making sure they don’t get soggy from steam as they cool down.

Now your delicious ROYO croutons are ready, you can sprinkle them on top of a yummy, hearty soup. Some of our personal favorites include: 

• Tomato Soup - a tangy, sweet and creamy fall favorite.
• Potato Leek Soup – a French classic, warm and comforting.
• Carrot and Coriander Soup - healthy and simple, with just 7 ingredients.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup – full of rich, mushroom-y, umami flavor.
• Butternut Squash Soup – the definition of comfort food (and it’s vegan!)

Alternatively, store them in an airtight container for a convenient, fiber-packed snack during the day, or sprinkle over top of a fresh and healthy salad! (These can get pretty addictive; you have been warned.)