Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons

Name: Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 loaf French bread; 2 tbsp butter; 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped; 1/4 cup Caesar dressing; 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp vanilla syrup; 1 (12 oz) can Diet Coke; 1 cup ice cubes; 1 box creamy hatch chile popper mac and cheese, prepared; 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel square

This Caesar salad features crispy, buttery homemade croutons made from French bread and tossed with fresh romaine, Parmesan, and classic Caesar dressing. It's a simple, satisfying girl dinner that comes together in minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Caesar salad 🏷️Homemade croutons 🏷️Salad 🏷️Girl dinner Quick meal

🏷️

🏷️Easy recipe

-0:00

alexis.frostonTikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

1

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by alexis.frost

-0:00

alexis.frostonTikTok

Ingredients

1/2 loaf French bread
2 tbsp butter
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 cup Caesar dressing
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp vanilla syrup
1 (12 oz) can Diet Coke
1 cup ice cubes
1 box creamy hatch chile popper mac and cheese, preparedoptional
1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel squareoptional

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Instructions

1
To make the croutons, slice the French bread and then cut the slices into 1-inch cubes.
2
In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter.
3
Add the bread cubes to the melted butter and toss until evenly coated.
4
Spread the buttered bread cubes in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.
5
Bake in the oven until golden brown and crispy. (Note: Temperature and time not specified in video).
6
To assemble the salad, place chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
7
Top the salad with the freshly made croutons.
8
To make the vanilla diet coke, add vanilla syrup to a glass filled with ice.
9
Pour a can of Diet Coke over the syrup and ice. Serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cut the French bread into uniform cubes before buttering and baking for even crispness and even browning.
Toast the croutons at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crispy throughout.
Chop the romaine just before assembling to prevent wilting, and toss with dressing right before serving for maximum crunch.
Use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-grated for better flavor and texture.

Substitutions

French bread → ciabatta or Italian bread (same texture and crispness)
Caesar dressing → homemade Caesar or ranch dressing (adjust to taste preference)
Romaine lettuce → mixed greens or iceberg lettuce (milder flavor)
Butter → olive oil (lighter option, slightly different flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover croutons in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep dressing and greens separate; assemble salad just before eating.

Common Questions

Can I make the croutons ahead of time?

Yes. Cut and butter the bread, bake until golden, then store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Add to the salad just before serving to keep them crispy.