Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cut the baguette into cubes until you have 4 cups of cubed bread.

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt (omit the salt if you used salted butter).

Place the bread cubes in a large bowl, pour the seasoned butter over them, and toss until the cubes are evenly coated.

Spread the coated bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet, leaving small gaps between cubes for even airflow.

Bake for 10 minutes, stirring or tossing the cubes once about halfway through baking, until they are golden brown and crisp.

Remove from the oven and let the croutons cool completely. Serve immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.