Toasted Injera Croutons with Berbere and Toasted Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crunchy croutons made by toasting leftover injera pieces with berbere spice and nutty toasted sesame seeds, perfect for salads or snacking. This african-inspired snacks ready in about 25 minutes turns torn into 1-inch pieces leftover injera, berbere spice mix, toasted sesame seeds into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, toss 3 cups torn injera pieces with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp berbere spice mix, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Spread the coated injera pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Step 3: Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the injera pieces are crisp and golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven and cool completely before serving as crunchy croutons atop salads or as a savory snack.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Toasted Injera Croutons with Berbere and Toasted Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (5 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Toasted Injera Croutons with Berbere and Toasted Sesame?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Toasted Injera Croutons with Berbere and Toasted Sesame?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Toasted Injera Croutons with Berbere and Toasted Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Toasted Injera Croutons with Berbere and Toasted Sesame?

African snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.