What is a crouton?

So I was thinking. Call me a splitter, but things need to fit in their categories. They simply must. Some examples.

Roast beef (or garden burger for the vegans who walk among us)= entree /meat
Mashed potatoes = side dish / starch
Green beans = vegetable
Bread = cereal / grain / baked good
Doughnut = pastry
Apple = fruit
Beer = beverage (and oh what a beverage)
Parsley = garnish
Mustard = condiment
Pepper = spice
Sage = herb
Ice cream = dessert
Pita chips = snack
Hummus = dip
Ranch dressing = dressing (duh)
Pickle = hmmmm, tough one....

So I ask again...what is a crouton? It's so much more than a simple baked good.

I suppose that bacon bits might be in need of a taxonomic home as well.

We need a new word!