{"id":433,"date":"2026-02-18T18:25:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T18:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freshgourmetfoodservice.kinsta.cloud\/?p=433"},"modified":"2026-02-25T15:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:56:19","slug":"croutons-reimagined-how-croutons-are-showing-up-everywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/croutons-reimagined-how-croutons-are-showing-up-everywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Croutons, reimagined. How Croutons are Showing Up Everywhere"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Croutons are \u201ccrossing over\u201d beyond salads <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Into wraps, sandwiches, bowls, and mac & cheese as a simple, high-impact crunch upgrade.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n \n\n
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Croutons are still a caesar salad Signature<\/h2>

But operators are using croutons as a low-lift way to add crunch across menu parts (think: finish, topping, mix-in, or crunch layer).<\/p> <\/div>\n \n

\n
\n
\"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_65114ad6a47e25230f0b550f1437371aimage\"<\/figure>
\n

Mac & Cheese<\/h3>

Extra cheesy corkscrew pasta in cheese sauce topped with crushed croutons.<\/p>\n

Friendly\u2019s | February 2024<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_65114ad6a47e25230f0b550f1437371aimage\"<\/figure>
\n

Ham & Swiss Pizza<\/h3>

Extra cheesy corkscrew pasta in a Smoked pork loin, dijon, sweet caramelized onions, Swiss and fresh Mozzarella cheeses. Topped with smashed croutons and Parmesan.<\/p>\n

California Pizza Kitchen | April 2024<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_65114ad6a47e25230f0b550f1437371aimage\"<\/figure>
\n

Spicy Chicken Caesar Wrap<\/h3>

Grilled chicken (ABF) with spicy chipotle caesar, parmesan, garlic croutons, pickled jalape\u00f1o, basil and romaine rolled into a 7-grain wrap.<\/p>\n

Pret A Manger | April 2024<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_65114ad6a47e25230f0b550f1437371aimage\"<\/figure>
\n

Grilled Chicken Caesar Bowl<\/h3>

Antibiotic-free grilled chicken, multigrain croutons, parmesan, creamy caesar.<\/p>\n

BurgerFi | Oct 2024<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n \n\n
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Wraps, sandwiches, and bowls are rapidly growing menu favorites<\/h2>

Which makes their adoption of croutons even more meaningful. As these formats rise, they create a bigger playground for croutons to show up in new ways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_8a21bc71e8977fc6e05f49139cfa05bfimage\"<\/figure> <\/div>\n \n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Most Menued Croutons DIshes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n \n\n
\n \n
\n
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Croutons are shifting from salad garnish to a texture tool.<\/h2>
    \n
  • More than a third of consumers eager to explore new textures<\/strong>
    \nand many already doing so, there is notable whitespace for croutons to break out of salads and show up in formats that match the dish.<\/li>\n
  • Crushed, seasoned, or even specialty-cut croutons<\/strong>
    \ncan bring the crunch consumers crave to soups, bowls, wraps, and comfort builds that benefit from added texture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_2e33eb226fe0ed7c627f1635730afd4dimage\"<\/figure> <\/div>\n \n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n
    \n
    \n
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    Menus are getting playful\u2026 dust, crunch, crumble, or full-on bites.<\/h2>

    The \u201cCrouton Playbook\u201d: Four formats to unlock new crouton usage<\/p> <\/div>\n \n

    \n
    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_35e37f2253071328ed329317c1170bb2image\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Cubes (classic)<\/h3>

    Salads, soup toppers, bowls<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_35e37f2253071328ed329317c1170bb2image\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Crumbles<\/h3>

    Mac & cheese, baked pastas, casseroles, loaded fries<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_35e37f2253071328ed329317c1170bb2image\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Dust (fine)<\/h3>

    Sandwich\/wrap flavor layer, \u201cumami crunch\u201d finishing<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_35e37f2253071328ed329317c1170bb2image\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Smashed\/pressed<\/h3>

    Pizza topper, crust substitute, or crunchy blanket on proteins<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
    \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n \n\n
    \n
    \n
    \n

    CROUTON \u2013 MENU EXAMPLES<\/h2> <\/div>\n \n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_be8ad60f848db27ff4fc253a120022abimage\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Parm Fold<\/h3>

    Tortilla folded and filled with tomato sauce, grated parmesan cheese, grilled chicken, crushed garlic croutons, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
    \n– Smoothie Factory<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_be8ad60f848db27ff4fc253a120022abimage\"<\/figure>
    \n

    The Gladiator Sandwich<\/h3>

    Housemade chicken caesar salad cream cheese, parmesan, anchovy, mayo, capers, crouton dust, tomato, mixed greens and white cheddar.
    \n– Figgies Deli<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_be8ad60f848db27ff4fc253a120022abimage\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Brisket Chili<\/h3>

    Topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, pickled red onions, cornbread croutons, and pickled jalapenos.
    \n– Martin\u2019s BBQ Joint<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_be8ad60f848db27ff4fc253a120022abimage\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Cured Salmon<\/h3>

    Hard boiled egg, pickled pearl onion, capers, whipped dill cream cheese, everything bagel croutons.
    \n– Cafe Nuovo<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_be8ad60f848db27ff4fc253a120022abimage\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Strip House Roasted Bacon<\/h3>

    Pastrami cured, pickled cucumber, rye bread croutons, hot honey mustard aioli.
    \n– Strip House<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n
    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_be8ad60f848db27ff4fc253a120022abimage\"<\/figure>
    \n

    Balsamic Chicken And Fresh Mozzarella Wrap<\/h3>

    Mixed greens, shaved chicken, fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, garlic croutons crumbles, balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh basil.
    \n– Spring Street Delicatessen<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n \n\n

    \n \n
    \n
    \n

    Croutons are already broadly adopted<\/h2>

    but the biggest opportunity is using them as a versatile crunch tool across the fastest-growing formats (wraps, sandwiches, bowls) and comfort classics.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_faa388de5c9db1c34f64e23813e24700image\"<\/figure> <\/div>\n \n<\/section>\n\n\n \n\n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n The next wave is less about “adding croutons”<\/span>

    and more about choosing the right crouton format for the dish.<\/h2>

    Want ideation support or crouton format recommendations for your menu? Let\u2019s talk. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \"\"data-acf-inline-fields-uid=\"block_25daa8fd6dc401f8d6eb814032b5c411image\"<\/figure> <\/div>\n \n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Croutons are \u201ccrossing over\u201d beyond salads into wraps, sandwiches, bowls, and mac & cheese as a simple, high-impact crunch upgrade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=433"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1418,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433\/revisions\/1418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freshgourmetcompany.com\/foodservice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}