Most people only think of croutons as something they add to their salads to give it a bit of crunch and flavor. Few people consider these small pieces of toasted bread beyond that context. However, we’re here to tell everyone that croutons can be used for much more than just salads.

They can be used on chili, made into stuffing for Thanksgiving, incorporated into meatloaves as a binder, or even sprinkled on scrambled eggs. And that’s just what we can think of off the top of our heads. You can discover all the ways that croutons can be used by making sure to celebrate National Crouton Day on May 13th each year. It’s on this day that everyone can learn just how versatile and enjoyable croutons can be.

The History of National Crouton Day

This holiday was created by Rothbury Farms, a company founded in 1923 known for making a variety of food products—including, not surprisingly, croutons. This holiday has been observed by crouton lovers ever since.

Crunchy Facts About Croutons

Want some facts about croutons? Of course, you do; otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. Below are some of the facts that we’ve learned about croutons that we feel everyone can appreciate.

• Crouton comes from the French word “croûte,” which means “crust.” Crouton is a diminutive form of that word, so it actually means “little crust.”
• The word crouton dates back to the 17th century in France, but making small bits of toasted bread probably goes back to the Middle Ages.

Observing National Crouton Day

People who observe this holiday usually do so because they love croutons and simply want an excuse to use them in some way. That’s exactly what people do on this holiday.

They buy some croutons or make their own, and then use them to make bread puddings, stuffing, as a meatloaf binder, or in some other recipe. After spending the day using croutons, they then use the hashtag #NationalCroutonDay on their social media pages to promote this holiday.