• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sugar & Snap Peas
  • Home
  • Course
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Sides
    • Salad Dressing
    • Marinades
  • Dietary
    • Gluten Free
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • About me
  • Contact me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About me
  • Recipes
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About me
    • Recipes
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Course

    Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons

    Published: May 25, 2021 · Modified: May 15, 2023 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a comment.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    If you're a fan of Caesar salad, you owe it to yourself to try Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons.  Cornbread croutons take your Caesar salad to the next level, with the combination of sweet cornbread and tangy Caesar dressing.  Plus, cornbread croutons are a great way to use up leftover cornbread!

    Caesar salad is usually a combination of romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing.  By replacing traditional homemade croutons with cornbread croutons, you add a creative twist to this beloved classic salad. 

    Step-by-step instructions on how to make cornbread croutons are included below. Cornbread croutons only require 3 ingredients and are made in under 30 minutes!

    When I make my cornbread crouton Caesar salad I always top it with my rich and creamy Caesar Salad Dressing (without anchovies).  My Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast, Blackened Cod, and Chicken and Shrimp Kabobs are all perfect proteins to pair with Caesar Salad.  

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment needed
    • How to make Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons
    • Expert tips
    • Substitutions and variations
    • What to serve with
    • How to store
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Salad recipes you might also like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Hungry for more?
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons has a satisfying combination of textures.  You can have crisp romaine lettuce leaves, creamy Caesar dressing, and crunchy cornbread croutons all in one bite.  
    • Caesar salad is versatile.  You can choose to keep your salad vegetarian, or you can add different proteins like chicken, fish, or shrimp.  
    • When you add cornbread croutons to Caesar salad, you take an otherwise savory dish and add a hint of sweetness to it! 
    • Caesar salad is what I would call healthy comfort food!  It’s a nostalgic, classic salad that will easily fill your belly without weighing you down.  The cornbread croutons add a Southern food twist.
    • Cornbread croutons are a fantastic way to use up leftover cornbread.

    Ingredients

    Cornbread: It's best to use cornbread that is a day or two old. However, I regularly make cornbread croutons with freshly made cornbread. The key is letting the cornbread fully cool down and dry out a bit.

    Romaine lettuce: Aside from the croutons, romaine lettuce is the main ingredient in Caesar salad. Choose fresh, crisp, bright romaine.

    Parmesan cheese: I recommend shredding your parmesan cheese yourself using a cheese grater or a box grater.

    Caesar salad dressing: I have an amazing recipe for homemade, creamy Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies. My recipe only calls for a few ingredients and a quick whisk! Store-bought Caesar dressing is totally fine to use too though!

    Additional ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt are needed to make the cornbread crouton recipe.

    Equipment needed

    After you've baked your cornbread, you'll need a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, measuring cups, measuring spoons, a large mixing bowl, a cutting board, and a chopping knife.

    How to make Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons

    Recipe rundown

    1. Cut your cornbread into cubes and bake them until they are fully toasted.
    2. Toss the romaine, parmesan cheese, and salad dressing together in a large mixing bowl.
    3. Transfer the Caesar salad to a serving bowl and top with slightly warm croutons.

    Step-by-step-instructions

    Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Use a sharp chopping knife to carefully cut cooled-down and dried-out cornbread into bite-sized cubes. The cornbread crumbles easily, so it needs to be handled carefully.

    Step 2: Transfer the cornbread to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the cornbread out into an even layer. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the cornbread pieces and sprinkle with kosher salt.

    Step 3: Place the tray of cornbread into your preheated oven. Bake the croutons for 15-20 minutes, until they're golden brown and no longer soft and spongy. You want crisp, lightly browned, croutons.

    While the croutons are baking, prep the rest of your salad ingredients. Chop the romaine lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces, shred your parmesan cheese, and mix up some homemade Caesar salad dressing.

    Step 4: Transfer your chopped romaine lettuce, shredded parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing to a large mixing bowl. Toss the lettuce, cheese, and dressing together until the creamy dressing is coating all of the romaine lettuce pieces.

    Step 5: Add the warm cornbread croutons to the Caesar salad. I like to toss some of the croutons into the salad and leave some on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Expert tips

    • Bake a square or rectangular tray of cornbread. This will be easier to cut into cubes, as opposed to cornbread that has been baked in a round baking pan.
    • One to two day old leftover cornbread is best, but fresh cornbread will also work perfectly fine! Just let the cornbread fully cool down before chopping it into 1-inch cubes.
    • You need to be very gentle when handling the cornbread. It has a tendency to crumble as you are chopping it and transferring it to the baking sheet.
    • I often use box mix when making cornbread, but homemade cornbread works as well!

    Substitutions and variations

    Cornbread: My favorite cornbread box mix is Fleischmann's Simply Homemade Cornbread. This homemade cornbread recipe sounds delicious as well!

    Cornbread croutons: Melted butter, canola oil, or avocado oil can be used in place of the extra virgin olive oil. In addition to the kosher salt, you could add ground black pepper, cinnamon, maple sugar, red pepper flakes, or any dried herbs that you love.

    Caesar dressing: Use whatever Caesar dressing that you prefer. I love creamy dressings, but if you love the oil-based version of Caesar dressing, use that instead.

    What to serve with

    Caesar Salad pairs well with just about any soup, sandwich, or wrap. You can serve it with practically all dinner recipes. It's also a nice addition to Sunday brunch.

    I love to serve Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons with Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup, BLT Bagel Sandwiches, Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese, and Dutch Oven Ham.

    Cornbread croutons are also a nice addition to just about any salad. I think they would taste wonderful on fall salads, like my Butternut and Beetroot Salad.

    How to store

    Store leftover Caesar salad in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The romaine lettuce leaves will start to get soggy the longer it's stored.

    Leftover cornbread croutons can be stored in a plastic, zip-top bag on the counter at room temperature for up to 1 week.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are cornbread croutons gluten-free?

    Cornbread croutons are gluten-free if the cornbread used to make the croutons do not include any gluten-containing ingredients. Some cornbread recipes call for wheat flour, so it's best to double-check your ingredients list before assuming cornbread croutons are gluten-free.

    How do you make cornbread croutons for stuffing?

    Cornbread croutons for stuffing (or dressing) are made the exact same way that I make them in this recipe. Follow my recipe steps above to learn how to make cornbread croutons for stuffing.

    Will Caesar salad get soggy?

    Yes, Caesar salad will get soggy if it's tossed with dressing and then stored in the refrigerator for more than 1-2 days. If you do not want your Caesar salad to get soggy, then it is best to add Caesar dressing when you will be serving it.

    Is Caesar salad healthy?

    Whether or not Caesar salad is healthy depends on your individual health goals. If you are trying to eat more vegetables, then yes, Caesar salad would be healthy for you. Some Caesar salad dressings are high in calories though. So if you are on a low-calorie diet, then it would be best to look for a lighter Caesar dressing.

    Salad recipes you might also like

    • Butternut and beetroot salad on a large, oval shaped, white serving platter, on top of a gold fringed napkin, with a bowl of dressing in the top left and a silver spoon in the bottom right.
      Butternut and Beetroot Salad
    • Overhead view of the Marinated Vegetable Salad on a large plate, with a blue napkin, and wooden salad tongs.
      Marinated Vegetable Salad Recipe
    • Asparagus Salad with panko coated goat cheese rounds on a platter, on top of a light blue napkin, with a bowl of lemon juice in the upper right corner.
      Asparagus Salad with Fried Goat Cheese
    • Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad in a round, white bowl, on top of a yellow napkin, fresh herbs in a smaller bowl at the top with a silver spoon.
      Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Bowl of Caesar Salad topped with cornbread croutons and shredded parmesan cheese.

    Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons

    ★★★★★

    5 from 12 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    If you're a fan of Caesar salad, you owe it to yourself to try Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons.  Cornbread croutons take your Caesar salad to the next level, with the combination of sweet cornbread and tangy Caesar dressing.  Plus, cornbread croutons are a great way to use up leftover cornbread!

    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • Cooked cornbread made in a square or rectangular baking dish
    • up to ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2-3 heads of romaine lettuce
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese - shredded
    • Caesar dressing

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 375°.  Make sure your cornbread is fully cooled off.  Day-old, leftover cornbread is best.  Place the cornbread on a cutting board and carefully cut the cornbread into bite-sized cubes.  The cornbread will crumble easily so it needs to be handled gently.
    2. Transfer the cornbread pieces to a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Drizzle up to ¼ cup of olive oil over the top of the croutons and then sprinkle with kosher salt.      
    3. Bake the cornbread croutons in your preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until they're golden brown and crispy.  You don't want them to be soft and spongy anymore. 
    4. While the cornbread croutons are baking, prep your Caesar salad ingredients.  Chop the romaine lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces, shred the parmesan cheese, and make homemade Caesar dressing (if needed).  Store-bought Caesar dressing is fine too! 
    5. Transfer the lettuce, parmesan, and dressing to a large mixing bowl.  Add dressing to your taste.  Toss the salad ingredients together, until the Caesar dressing is thoroughly coating the romaine lettuce leaves. 
    6. Toss the cooked cornbread croutons into your Caesar salad, transfer to serving bowls, serve immediately, and enjoy! 

    Notes

    • The prep time for this recipe does not include the time it takes to make a tray of cornbread.
    • Bake a square or rectangular tray of cornbread.  This will be easier to cut into cubes, as opposed to cornbread that has been baked in a round baking pan. 
    • One to two day old leftover cornbread is best, but fresh cornbread will also work perfectly fine!  Just let the cornbread fully cool down before chopping it into 1-inch cubes. 
    • The nutrition information shown below does not include nutrition facts for the Caesar dressing. 
    • The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.  It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.  
    • Author: Katie
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: lunch, dinner
    • Method: baking
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegetarian

    Keywords: cornbread croutons, homemade cornbread croutons, salad with cornbread croutons

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @sugar_and_snap_peas on Instagram - we can't wait to see what you've made!

    Hungry for more?

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    Check out my highlights on Instagram for weekly family dinner ideas!

    Did you make this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below! I love hearing from my followers and answering any of your questions!

    More recipes

    • Boil chicken thighs on a plate garnished with fresh thyme.
      How to Boil Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen)
    • Small glass jar of Caesar dressing without anchovies with a spoon, lettuce leaves in the background, a striped towel in the background, and shredded parmesan cheese around the jar.
      Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies
    • Sliced spiral ham with maple dijon glaze, on a round plate and a light blue napkin.
      Dutch Oven Ham
    • Up close image of cooked Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian rolls.
      Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristina

      May 26, 2021 at 5:10 am

      I’m always looking for ways to spruce up a classic caesar salad and this sounds simple enough! I’ve never had cornbread croutons so I’m excited to try it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Jeri

      May 26, 2021 at 5:57 pm

      I made this salad for lunch and it was delicious! The dressing is so much better than bottled, and the cornbread croutons were 10X better than anything I've ever had! Thanks for this recipe, I will definitely be making it again!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Oscar

      May 26, 2021 at 8:21 pm

      The crunchy cornbread croutons were so amazing. It was a hit with my family. Love this salad.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Addie

      May 26, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      I absolutely love Caesar salad! This is great for the summer too!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Audrey

      May 27, 2021 at 5:22 pm

      I can't wait to make the croutons!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. maryanne

      May 27, 2021 at 5:28 pm

      I loved the sweet and salty combination, thanks to the cornbread croutons! Thanks for a delicious recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Agnieszka | Wholly Tasteful

      May 27, 2021 at 11:28 pm

      Cornbread croutons were delicious. Really took the salad to the next level!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Freya

      May 28, 2021 at 1:28 am

      Caesar Salad is one of my favourites but I loved the cornbread croutons, they were soooo good!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Erin

      June 02, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      These homemade cornbread croutons are the thing that makes this salad specatular. So delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Lima Ekram

      June 02, 2021 at 4:36 pm

      The cornbread croutons were excellent - I never thought of making croutons with cornbread - I had mine with tomato soup - it was amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Anjali

      June 02, 2021 at 5:22 pm

      Love this twist on a typical caesar salad! The cornbread croutons were such a great idea - I don't know that I'll go back to regular croutons after tasting them! 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Sara Welch

      June 02, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      Enjoyed some of these with my salad for lunch today and it was the perfect touch to my meal! Easy, crunchy, and the perfect amount of flavor!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search my Site

    Katie in front of a tree

    I’m Katie, the food blogger, recipe creator, and food photographer at Sugar & Snap Peas. I specialize in easy, budget-friendly, family recipes. My goal is to help you take the stress out of cooking and provide you with simple, creative recipes.

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Four sauerkraut and hot dogs recipe hot dogs, with mustard in a small white dish in the top right, onions in a small white dish in bottom left and more cooked hot dogs in bottom right.
      Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs Recipe
    • BBQ grilled chicken drumsticks recipe cooked and on a round plate, on top of brown parchment paper, a dish towel is in the corner and a basting brush with bbq sauce is in the top left corner.
      BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumstick Recipe
    • Summer tortellini salad in a large bowl, shredded parmesan cheese is sprinkled around the bowl. Extra ingredients are in the top left corner.
      Summer Tortellini Salad with Arugula
    • Pesto pasta salad with sundried tomatoes in a large mixing bowl, a tan napkin and silver serving spoon is in the background.
      Pesto Pasta Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
    • feta and white bean salad vegetarian in a white bowl, feta cheese in a measuring cup in the top right corner, lemon wedge on top, red onion in top left corner
      Feta & White Bean Salad (Vegetarian)
    • Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad in a round, white bowl, on top of a yellow napkin, fresh herbs in a smaller bowl at the top with a silver spoon.
      Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
    • Overhead view of the Marinated Vegetable Salad on a large plate, with a blue napkin, and wooden salad tongs.
      Marinated Vegetable Salad Recipe
    • Potato salad without eggs in a large round white bowl, with a spoon, blue cloth napkin on the left, fresh parsley on the top right.
      Easy Potato Salad without Eggs
    • Grilled shrimp and chicken kabobs on a parchment lined sheet pan, lemon wedges in the top right corner and a yellow napkin in the top right corner.
      Grilled Shrimp and Chicken Kabobs
    • Bowl of Caesar Salad topped with cornbread croutons and shredded parmesan cheese.
      Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons

    Popular dinner recipes

    • Baked panko chicken on a plate with greens and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Baked Panko Chicken
    • Honey butter garlic chicken in a blue bowl, served over white rice.
      Honey Butter Garlic Chicken
    • Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken in a blue bowl with a fork.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken
    • Up close image of cooked Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian rolls.
      Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs on a sheet pan with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a small bowl of BBQ sauce in the top right corner.
      Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Cooked chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.
      Easy Dijon Chicken Thighs
    • Buffalo Chicken Thighs on a parchment paper, with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a bowl of blue cheese dressing in the top left corner.
      Baked Buffalo Chicken Thighs
    • Final image of the cheeseburger pasta skillet recipe, in a red cast iron pot with handles, a wooden spoon and garnished with fresh parsley.
      One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Recipe

    Trending Recipes

    • How to make Pinwheel Sandwiches
    • Salmon pasta without cream in a large blue bowl.
      Salmon Pasta without Cream
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs on a sheet pan with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a small bowl of BBQ sauce in the top right corner.
      Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Teriyaki turkey and rice in a bowl.
      Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • DMCA
    • CCPA

    Newsletter

    • Newsletter signup coming soon!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Sugar & Snap Peas