crouton

American  

[kroo-ton, kroo-ton] / ˈkru tɒn, kruˈtɒn /

noun

1. a small piece of fried or toasted bread, sometimes seasoned, used as a garnish for soups, salads, and other dishes.

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crouton British  

/ ˈkruːtɒn /

noun

1. a small piece of fried or toasted bread, usually served in soup

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Etymology

Origin of crouton

1800–10; < French, equivalent to croûte crust + -on diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

As Walker himself put it to CBS’s “48 Hours:” “I’m a crouton on a real big salad here.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

This one, not too tall with a fine crumb, fulfills its supporting role flawlessly, with the tiny flair of the crouton crumbs riding on its golden-brown dome adding a minute crispy texture.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Slide the chicken onto the bottom rack of the oven; set the crouton sheet pan on the middle rack.

From Washington Post • Mar. 12, 2023

I’ve had strawberry and pecan salads, but none came close to this ensemble: candied pecans, fresh strawberries, pickled shallots and a warm pistachio-and-goat-cheese crouton with an apricot vinaigrette.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2022

I shudder at the vile abomination of the whole when I think of our delicate lobster en mayonnaise^ or crouton aux truffes, red partridges in Rhine wine, and maraschino jelly, with Mo�t frapp� to perfection.

From The Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. I by Lever, Charles James