Okay, so most of you know that I got to spend two days at the SoCal VegFest at the end of October. There were so many awesome things about that weekend, but one of the best is that I brought home several vegan products to review.
I wanted to be sure to use each of the products for a while before reviewing them, so this is the first of several to come over the next few weeks.
I wanted to be sure to use each of the products for a while before reviewing them, so this is the first of several to come over the next few weeks.
Vegan Product Review: Kelly's Croutons
First up is Kelly’s Croutons, which I had not heard of before the festival but that are clearly a well-known item among Orange County and San Diego vegans. So much so, that I had a few people ask me where their booth was when they saw me carrying my bag of crouton goodness around the festival. The folks who asked were clearly excited that Kelly and Eric were there and were seeking them out to stock up.
I also saw some people eating the croutons as a snack while browsing booths and met one vendor who had managed to consume an entire bag of these vegan croutons while working his booth that day.
I also saw some people eating the croutons as a snack while browsing booths and met one vendor who had managed to consume an entire bag of these vegan croutons while working his booth that day.
Locals definitely know this brand and, now that we have managed to go through two bags in about three weeks, I can see why. They are absolutely addictive! They have a cheesy, garlicy awesomeness that makes it very difficult to eat a respectable amount, and then put the bag away.
I have to say, I am not really a crouton person – or at least I wasn’t. I rarely put croutons on salads, have never eaten them alone as a quick snack and hadn’t even considered the idea of adding croutons to soups. The biggest reason that I have never been a big crouton person is that I never buy them to have at home and the croutons at salad bars are usually not vegan. My wife is a crouton lover and usually has some around, but hers are never vegan, so I have never tried them.
But everything changed when I stopped by the Kelly’s Croutons booth and met the proprietors, Kelly and Eric Glover from Capistrano Beach. I tried their Gourmet Cheezy Garlic Croutons and their Gourmet Cheezy Parms (which will have a separate review) and instantly fell in love.
I have to say, I am not really a crouton person – or at least I wasn’t. I rarely put croutons on salads, have never eaten them alone as a quick snack and hadn’t even considered the idea of adding croutons to soups. The biggest reason that I have never been a big crouton person is that I never buy them to have at home and the croutons at salad bars are usually not vegan. My wife is a crouton lover and usually has some around, but hers are never vegan, so I have never tried them.
But everything changed when I stopped by the Kelly’s Croutons booth and met the proprietors, Kelly and Eric Glover from Capistrano Beach. I tried their Gourmet Cheezy Garlic Croutons and their Gourmet Cheezy Parms (which will have a separate review) and instantly fell in love.
I have since eaten them on salads, in soups and alone (too many times to admit). I eat lots of salads, so it was a bit of a no-brainer to throw some on there and give them a try. They added such a crunchy, savory goodness that I feel like I have been totally missing out all these years!
I then remembered that she had mentioned putting them in soup, so – since I make homemade soups all the time – I tried them in one of my vegetable and bean soups. Honestly, I was not expecting to like them in soup, but now I totally want them every time and can’t believe that I had never tried croutons in soup before. These croutons are not shy on flavor, so I would recommend adding them to simple soups (bean, vegetable, etc.) for some super-tasty results.
As most of you know, I limit my gluten intake and usually avoid it completely. I do make exceptions on occasion to enjoy small amounts and immediately know when I’ve eaten too much. Since my lovely readers know that I don’t eat much gluten, I just want to point out that these do have gluten. They also have cashews, which is important to know if you have nut allergies.
I then remembered that she had mentioned putting them in soup, so – since I make homemade soups all the time – I tried them in one of my vegetable and bean soups. Honestly, I was not expecting to like them in soup, but now I totally want them every time and can’t believe that I had never tried croutons in soup before. These croutons are not shy on flavor, so I would recommend adding them to simple soups (bean, vegetable, etc.) for some super-tasty results.
As most of you know, I limit my gluten intake and usually avoid it completely. I do make exceptions on occasion to enjoy small amounts and immediately know when I’ve eaten too much. Since my lovely readers know that I don’t eat much gluten, I just want to point out that these do have gluten. They also have cashews, which is important to know if you have nut allergies.
Because I limit my gluten intake, foods that have gluten have to be pretty awesome for me to indulge in them. I can tell you that the cheesy-garlicy goodness of these croutons instantly put them at the top of my list of foods that fit that criterion.
If you love garlic, sourdough bread and that unique, cheesy deliciousness of nutritional yeast, you are going to love these croutons. Plus, you know how omnivores sometimes are not interested in eating vegan foods? No one is going to notice that these are vegan and, once they have them, they are not going to care. That makes this one of those crossover products that are great for mixed couples or families, since both your omnivores and your herbivores will enjoy them.
If you love garlic, sourdough bread and that unique, cheesy deliciousness of nutritional yeast, you are going to love these croutons. Plus, you know how omnivores sometimes are not interested in eating vegan foods? No one is going to notice that these are vegan and, once they have them, they are not going to care. That makes this one of those crossover products that are great for mixed couples or families, since both your omnivores and your herbivores will enjoy them.
Where to Buy Kelly's Croutons
Folks who live in or often visit San Diego County or Orange County will have the easiest time keeping these vegan croutons in their pantry. This is because you can find a Kelly’s Croutons booth at local farmers markets every week.
As of this writing, you can find them at the Hillcrest Farmers Market in San Diego on Sundays, the Leucadia Farmers Market in Encinitas on Sundays, the Carlsbad Farmers Market in Carlsbad on Wednesdays, the Oceanside Farmers Market in Oceanside on Thursdays, the Dana Point Farmers Market in Dana Point on Saturdays and the Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market in San Diego on Saturdays.
You can also find them at special events, street fairs and festivals across Southern California and in Arizona and – thankfully – you can buy them online!
Currently, the online prices are $8.00 for a seven-ounce bag of the Gourmet Cheezy Garlic Croutons and $7.00 for the Gourmet Cheezy Parm.
If you are in the market for some amazing, vegan croutons, this is also a great chance to support a small, family business and to buy local (if you are in SoCal).
As of this writing, you can find them at the Hillcrest Farmers Market in San Diego on Sundays, the Leucadia Farmers Market in Encinitas on Sundays, the Carlsbad Farmers Market in Carlsbad on Wednesdays, the Oceanside Farmers Market in Oceanside on Thursdays, the Dana Point Farmers Market in Dana Point on Saturdays and the Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market in San Diego on Saturdays.
You can also find them at special events, street fairs and festivals across Southern California and in Arizona and – thankfully – you can buy them online!
Currently, the online prices are $8.00 for a seven-ounce bag of the Gourmet Cheezy Garlic Croutons and $7.00 for the Gourmet Cheezy Parm.
If you are in the market for some amazing, vegan croutons, this is also a great chance to support a small, family business and to buy local (if you are in SoCal).
Kelly's Croutons Promo Code
If you are planning on purchasing these vegan croutons online – which I definitely recommend if you don’t live near one of the farmers markets they frequent – be sure to use this promo code to save 10% off your order!
Kelly’s Croutons Online Promo code: VEGLIFE
Have you tried Kelly’s Croutons? If you are already familiar with this brand or when you try them for the first time, I would love to know what you think! Be sure to leave a comment to add to this vegan product review to help other vegans, vegetarians and plant-based folks find awesome products that make a plant-strong life easier and more enjoyable!
Kelly’s Croutons Online Promo code: VEGLIFE
Have you tried Kelly’s Croutons? If you are already familiar with this brand or when you try them for the first time, I would love to know what you think! Be sure to leave a comment to add to this vegan product review to help other vegans, vegetarians and plant-based folks find awesome products that make a plant-strong life easier and more enjoyable!
I did not receive compensation for this post.
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