Roasted Red Pepper Soup With Crispy Croutons (Printable)

Silky roasted pepper soup with warm spices and crunchy golden croutons

# What You Need:

→ Soup Base

01 - 4 large red bell peppers, halved and seeded
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
06 - 1 tablespoon harissa paste
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 3 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
11 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
14 - 0.25 cup heavy cream or coconut cream, optional

→ Crispy Croutons

15 - 2 cups day-old bread, cut into 0.5-inch cubes
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
19 - 0.25 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

20 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
21 - Extra harissa or cream, optional

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange red pepper halves skin-side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until skins are charred and peppers are soft.
02 - Toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Spread on a separate baking tray. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, tossing once, until golden and crispy. Set aside.
03 - Once peppers are cool enough to handle, peel and discard the charred skins.
04 - In a large pot, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and carrot. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
05 - Stir in harissa paste, smoked paprika, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Add roasted peppers, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to purée until silky smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches.
08 - Stir in cream or coconut cream if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top with crispy croutons, fresh herbs, and a swirl of extra harissa or cream if desired.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The velvety texture is impossibly smooth, yet the soup feels light enough for a summer lunch and hearty enough for winter comfort.
  • Its that perfect make-ahead dish that actually tastes better the next day, which has saved me countless times when friends drop by unexpectedly.
02 -
  • Never skip peeling the peppers after roasting, as those blackened skins can make your beautiful soup bitter and gritty, a lesson I learned the hard way when rushing through my first attempt.
  • If using a standard blender instead of immersion, fill it only halfway with the hot soup and hold the lid down with a kitchen towel, or youll be cleaning soup off your ceiling like I did at my first dinner party.
03 -
  • Roast an extra red pepper, dice it finely, and stir into the finished soup for unexpected bursts of texture and concentrated flavor that transform an everyday soup into something restaurant-worthy.
  • If you have the time, make this soup a day before serving, then reheat it slowly with a splash of extra broth, as the flavors develop overnight in a way that cant be rushed, much like a good friendship.
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