Add them to your soups and salads, or just dip them in your favorite dipping sauce and munch on them for snack. This recipe is on a weekly rotation in my home! Here’s why – I turn plain old bread into crispy-crunchy, flavorful croutons in just 10-15 minutes.
Homemade croutons are far superior in taste to store-bought ones, plus, you know exactly what went into them. Even though you can make croutons in the oven, I find this air fryer recipe makes crispier croutons. It’s a fairly low-maintenance recipe, where all you need is a few slices of bread, oil, and seasonings. You don’t need any fancy bread to make this. Use any bread that you have on hand, including your favorite sandwich bread (white, wheat, sourdough, multi-grain, rye, etc.), leftover baguette, French or Italian bread. Let’s get started on this easy-peasy crouton recipe! You might also like: Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutes
We just need a handful of ingredients to make homemade croutons in the air fryer. Here’s what you need:
Bread: I love the flavor of french baguette or sourdough baguette, but you can use any bread of choice, that’s not too soft or too thin. Plain sandwich bread works too - white, multigrain, or whole-wheat. 2-3 day-old stale bread works great for this recipe.Olive oil- Just a few tablespoons of olive oil is needed to attain the crisp texture. Avocado oil is a great substitute.Seasonings: We’re using a combination of salt, garlic powder, and dried basil. Feel free to use dried parsley instead.
Variations: Add a pinch of onion powder to add a subtle earthy flavor. Add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to add some heat. Double the garlic powder to make garlic croutons. Toss with 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese for cheesy croutons. Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Croutons in Air Fryer
Let’s take a look at the step-by-step instructions on how to air fry croutons: Dice the bread: Cut the bread into bite-size pieces, about 1-inch. I like to use a bread knife and cut them, but you can tear them apart by hand as well. Whichever method you choose, keep them a consistent size for even cooking. Season: Transfer the bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Evenly drizzle the oil and seasonings over the bread, then toss well, until the cubes are evenly coated. Spread in Fryer Basket: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes. Evenly spread the seasoned croutons in the fryer basket, in a single layer. It is okay to have a few overlaps though. Air Fry: Air fry for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket at the 3-minute mark. At this point, the croutons should be golden brown at the edges. If yours don’t look done, air fry them for another 1-2 minutes. Serve or store: Let the croutons cool for about 10 minutes before serving. For storing, allow them to cool completely. Crispness Tip: If they start to brown too fast, reduce the temperature to 360°F and continue to bake until they crisp to your desired level.
Alternate Method: Oven-Baked Croutons
You can also make croutons in the oven. Here’s how: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the bread cubes as per instructions and spread them out on an aluminum-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet in the middle rack and cook for 15-20 minutes, checking at the 15-minute mark.
Serving Suggestions
These airfryer croutons are great for munching as a snack, dipped in your favorite sauce. They are especially great as toppings for soups and salads. Here are some of my favorite dishes to use them in: Soups: Curried Butternut Squash Soup, Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Minestrone Soup, and Cream of Mushroom soup. Salads: Spinach Strawberry Salad, Mexican Chicken Salad, Cajun Chicken Salad, Greek Salad, and Avocado Tomato Salad.
How to Store
Croutons made in the air fryer taste best within 1-2 days. But you can store them for up to a week which comes in handy during holidays and when you’re hosting a get-together. To do that, cool them completely, then transfer them to a resealable bag. Store in a cool, dark place for up to one week.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Bread: 1-2 days old bread works great for making croutons. However, be careful that the bread is not too stale, otherwise, it makes very dry and brittle croutons.Seasoning: customize the seasoning to your liking and match your meal. Add onion powder, Italian seasoning mix, or parmesan cheese.Storing: Croutons taste the best within 1-2 days. However, you can store them for up to a week in an airtight container.Cooking time: The air frying time can vary depending on different models. Keep a watchful eye at the 5-minute mark to avoid burning them.Crispness: If your croutons start to brown too fast, reduce the temperature to 360°F and continue to bake until they crisp to your desired level.
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