Air Fryer Croutons
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Posted: 11/10/24
Updated: 11/11/24
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Learn how to make perfectly seasoned, crispy and delicious croutons in just a few minutes using your air fryer. This easy and quick recipe will elevate any salad or soup!
Skip the store-bought croutons and make these incredible air fryer croutons instead. They truly are so much better than what you can grab at the grocery store and they’re so easy to make. A perfectly crispy texture and the most amazing flavor — who wouldn’t want to air fry some fresh croutons?
A chef salad with a glass of ice cold sparkling strawberry lemonade is my favorite summer meal. And sprinkling some fresh air fryer croutons over the top of the salad is the best finishing touch. Really, I always get asked where I got the croutons when I serve a salad with them at a party! When I tell people they’re homemade, their jaw drops!
Be the talk of the party or potluck by bringing a salad that’s loaded to the brim with buttery croutons. You definitely won’t regret it!
Why You’ll Love these Air Fryer Croutons
- It only takes 16 minutes to make homemade croutons. This recipe really won’t add much prep time in the kitchen and it will significantly elevate the flavor of your dishes.
- Homemade croutons are a wonderful way to repurpose day-old bread. Don’t let leftovers go to waste!
- If you’ve got dietary restrictions, this is a great way to ensure you’re eating ingredients that are safe for you. Use gluten-free bread, Keto bread, or whatever else you need to make the perfect croutons.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Croutons
- Bread – You can use a regular loaf of white bread, or you can use something like sourdough, French bread, or an artisan loaf. Even some whole wheat bread will work!
- Butter – Butter makes the most flavorful homemade croutons. If you’d rather use an oil, then use some extra virgin olive oil.
- Black pepper – This adds just a bit of warmth and spice to these yummy crunchy croutons.
- Salt – Bring all the flavors together with a bit of salt.
- Italian seasoning – If you don’t have Italian seasoning, just use some dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano and dried parsley in its place.
- Garlic powder – Feel free to skip this if you prefer, but the garlicky flavor is such a nice touch.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Air Fryer Croutons
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the diced bread cubes to a large bowl and then drizzle with melted butter.
- Toss to coat and then sprinkle in Italian seasoning, garlic power, salt and pepper. Toss again to coat the bread in the seasonings.
- Place the bread cubes in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, giving them a shake every couple minutes, or until browned and crispy. Serve immediately or store for later.
How to Store Homemade Croutons
Allow to cool completely before storing so that no condensation builds up in the storage container and makes them soggy and stale. Then transfer to an airtight container or zip top bag with the air squeezed out.
Store at room temperature and use within 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to six months. For the best shelf life, store them in a vacuum seal bag!
Why are my croutons not crispy?
There are a few reasons why your air fryer croutons aren’t crispy and crunchy like they should be. You may not have cooked them long enough, or you could also have used too much butter. Make sure you use the right cooking temperature and allow the croutons to cook long enough.
Can you put bread in the air fryer?
Yep! It’s perfectly safe to put bread in the air fryer. However, it will need some type of cooking oil with it so that it doesn’t burn. This air fryer croutons recipe uses butter, but olive oil, avocado oil and vegetable oil would work too.
How to Use Air Fryer Croutons
These croutons can be used on top of any and all of your favorite salads, including things like taco salad and antipasto salad. Oh and it’s a favorite on my chicken caesar pasta salad.
You can also use croutons as a topping on creamy tomato soup or french onion soup.
Some people use croutons in stuffing recipes too. Crumble up the croutons to use as a topping on baked mac and cheese too.
Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Croutons
- Use whatever bread you want! However, I do not recommend using bread that has large seeds of chunks in it because they’ll likely burn while toasting.
- Don’t overload the air fryer basket! If need be, you can add the bread crumbs in batches so that they have plenty of space.
- Feel free to change up the seasonings with these easy croutons. They can be whatever flavor you’d like.
These crunchy croutons are buttery, flavorful and truly one of the best things to swap out from store-bought! You’re going to love them.
More Bread Recipes You’ll Love!
- This Cheesy Garlic Bread is the best way to elevate pasta night. Once you learn how to make croutons in the air fryer, then this bread, you’ll have a snazzy Italian meal on your hands.
- These fluffy Texas Roadhouse Rolls are warm, buttery and so yummy. Make them a side dish to any meal!
- Want another fun way to use your air fryer? Make this delicious Air Fryer Garlic Bread!
- Homemade Biscuits are not only perfect for breakfast, but they’re a wonderful side dish for dinners to.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Air Fryer Croutons
Turn your stale bread into crispy, seasoned croutons using your air fryer!
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread cut into ¾ inch cubes French or sourdough bread
- 4 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add bread cubes to a large bowl and drizzle with melted butter. Toss to coat. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, garlic power, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Place the bread cubes in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, tossing every couple minutes, or until browned and crispy. Serve immediately or store for later.
Tips
Allow to cool completely before storing so that no condensation builds up in the storage container and makes them soggy and stale. Then transfer to an airtight container or zip top bag with the air squeezed out.
Store at room temperature and use within 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to six months. For the best shelf life, store them in a vacuum seal bag!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 52kcal (3%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 3g (5%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 6mg (2%), Sodium: 129mg (6%), Potassium: 20mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 72IU (1%), Vitamin C: 0.03mg, Calcium: 17mg (2%), Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
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