Homemade Air Fryer Croutons are crunchy, savory, and full of cheesy garlic flavor. Best of all, they are made with common ingredients in less than 15 minutes! The result: simple and delicious crouton perfection. Sprinkle them onto salads, garnish soup, and more.
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Table of Contents
Crispy, crunchy, and so simple to make, making croutons in the air fryer will revolutionize your salad and soup topper game! Seasoned with garlic, italian seasonings, extra virgin olive oil, and grated parmesan cheese, these DIY croutons are next-level savory and flavorful while only calling for common and pantry ingredients.
Though they taste like they came from your favorite restaurant's kitchen, the air fryer does its magic, delivering hot and perfectly seasoned croutons in a few easy prep steps and less than 15 minutes.
For more bread recipes in the air fryer, try my recipes for air fryer garlic bread and my air fryer bread.
Why You'll Love Air Fryer Croutons
If you like classic, baked croutons, you will love these homemade croutons in the air fryer! They are...
- Easy & Simple— No complicated cooking techniques are needed here! If you can slice bread and measure olive oil you can make this air fryer croutons recipe!
- Crunchy—Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air, so the croutons achieve dreamy crisp-crunchy perfection.
- Garlicky & Cheesy— With restaurant-worthy flavor, these croutons add the perfect umami finish to your favorite salads, soups, and recipes.
- Budget-Friendly— Homemade croutons in the air fryer are lighter on the pocketbook, thanks to affordable ingredients and pantry seasonings, you can say goodbye to $4-5 bags of croutons!
Ingredients
Bread— Choose your favorite bread or what you have on hand. French bread, ciabatta (used in these photos), sourdough, baguettes, or focaccia are all great picks. Though you can make this recipe with day-old bread, you can also use fresh.
Olive Oil— If possible, use extra virgin olive oil for the richest, purest, and most peppery undertone flavor. However, virgin or light olive oil can be used in a pinch.
Parmesan Cheese— This grated hard cheese contributes deliciously savory umami to the air fry croutons. Freshly grate the cheese for the best melting, though pre-grated cheese can also be used.
Italian Seasoning— Contributes light herbal notes reminiscent of your favorite restaurant croutons. If you don't have Italian seasoning, any combination of dried basil, thyme, or oregano can be substituted.
Seasonings— Garlic and onion powder add mellow and nutty notes, and salt enhances the flavor of the seasonings and bread. Choose fine sea salt or kosher salt and dried seasonings with good expiration dates.
How to Make Croutons in the Air Fryer
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: In a medium-size mixing bowl, drizzle the bread with half the olive oil and season with half of the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning blend, and parmesan cheese (if using). Toss well.
Step 2: Drizzle the bread with the remaining oil and sprinkle the remaining seasonings, tossing well again until the bread is evenly coated.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes with the basket or air fryer tray inside.
Step 4: Add the bread cubes to the air fryer basket or tray. Don’t worry if they overlap or are a few layers deep in the basket.
Step 5: Air fry for 6-8 minutes, gently shaking or stirring the bread cubes halfway through or until golden and crunchy. Watch them carefully while cooking to prevent overcooking or burning.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Preheat the air fryer. With the tray or basket installed, heat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to ensure quick and even crouton cooking. Note: Some air fryer models don't require preheating, so check your manufacturer's directions if desired before making this recipe.
- Toss or stir the croutons throughout the cooking time. If they are more than a layer thick in the basket, toss them in the air fryer basket or stir them on the tray halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that the croutons crisp up evenly.
- Storage Directions: Leftover croutons should be kept covered in an airtight container at room temperature for one week. They should retain their crunchiness when stored, but they can be re-crisped in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F if needed.
Recipe Variations
- Spice: Add an extra kick to these crunchy toppers by sprinkling the bread cubes with a couple shakes of red chili flakes.
- Cheese: Swap in grated asiago, romano, or another favorite hard cheese for a funkier finish.
- Herbs: Tailor the seasonings to the soup or salad you'll serve the croutons with by substituting different herbs. Dried thyme, ground sage, or chopped rosemary are all delicious!
- Double Garlic: Satisfy garlic lovers by sauteeing 2 cloves of minced garlic in the oil before drizzling it over the cubed bread and seasoning as directed.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these croutons in your favorite ways, such as on Caesar salad, a side green salad, or sprinkled onto creamy tomato or asparagus soup.
For extra flavor and texture, grind the croutons into breadcrumbs to top pasta bolognese or cheesy zucchini casserole.
Dietary Adaptations
- Dairy-Free/Vegan —To keep these air-fried croutons free of dairy and animal products, make them without the grated parmesan or substitute dairy-free/vegan parmesan cheese or two tablespoons of nutritional yeast.
- Gluten-Free -- Sans gluten? No problem! Simply swap your favorite gluten-free bread for traditional bread to make gluten-free air fry croutons.
FAQs
Keep croutons crunchy by storing them at room temperature in an airtight container, such as a plastic or glass container or a zip-top bag. Moisture in the air croutons, so airtight containers protect them from it.
Yes, you can certainly make traditional croutons with this recipe. Season the cubed bread as directed, spread the cubes out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and bake in an oven preheated to 375°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and crisp.
Though making croutons is a great way to use up day-old bread, you do not need it to make this air fryer croutons recipe. The air fryer quickly circulates hot air, removing excess moisture and crisping the bread, so you can make it with fresh bread if desired.
Save this Recipe for Later on Pinterest
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
- Cutting Board
- Serrated Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Silicone Spatula or Metal Spoon
- Air Fryer
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
If you made and liked this recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went for you in the comments! It always makes my day to hear from you!
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Croutons
Ingredients
- 8 oz bread, cut into 1-inch cubes french bread, baguette, ciabatta, sourdough, etc.
- ¼ cup olive oil preferably extra virgin
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning blend or dried basil, thyme, and/or oregano
- 3 T grated parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Add the cubed bread to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Drizzle the bread with half the olive oil and season with half of the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning blend, and parmesan cheese (if using). Toss well.
- Drizzle the bread with the remaining oil and sprinkle the remaining seasonings, tossing well again until the bread is evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 2-3 minutes with the basket or air fryer tray inside.
- Add the bread cubes to the air fryer basket or tray. Don’t worry if they overlap or are a few layers deep in the basket.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes until golden and crunchy, gently shaking or stirring the bread cubes halfway through. Watch them carefully while cooking to prevent overcooking or burning.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer. With the tray or basket installed, heat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to ensure quick and even crouton cooking. Note: Some air fryer models don't require preheating, so check your manufacturer's directions if desired before making this recipe.
- Toss or stir the croutons throughout the cooking time. If they are more than a layer thick in the basket, toss them in the air fryer basket or stir them on the tray halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that the croutons crisp up evenly.
- Storage Directions: Leftover croutons should be kept covered in an airtight container at room temperature for one week. They should retain their crunchiness when stored, but they can be re-crisped in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F if needed.
Nutrition
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