These air fryer croutons are quick, easy, and a serious upgrade from store bought croutons.
We go through a lot of croutons, and air fryer croutons are so much better than store bought. I love croutons on salads, but I also love tossing a handful into a bowl of French Onion Soup.
Mike has even been known to grab a handful of these tasty bites for a little afternoon snack. I am sure that once you try these, you will toss these on anything you can.
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Croutons
- Budget Friendly - One loaf of bread and you will have croutons for days. A small bag of croutons is more than the price of an entire loaf of bread.
- No Food Waste - Bread getting a little stale, no problem! Use that bread for croutons to cut down on food waste.
- Customizable - You can completely make these to your taste. Play with the seasonings or add a bit of cheese.
- Better Than Store Bought - Everything tastes better from scratch. You will not believe the elevated flavors of homemade croutons.
Tools
- Instant Pot Air Fryer - This is the one I have, and I absolutely love it.
- Air Fryer Liner - If you haven't heard of these, you need to run and grab some. They make cleaning up a breeze.
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
Before you head to the recipe card for exact measurements, here’s a quick look at what you’ll be using.
- Bread - Any bread will work as long as you can cut it into large cubes. I prefer using French bread or sourdough.
- Olive Oil - The olive oil coats the bread and helps the croutons crisp up to a golden brown. The oil also coats the croutons and helps the seasonings stick to the bread.
- Salt, Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder - Classic seasonings that enhance the flavor of the croutons so that they do not taste bland.
- Italian Seasoning - The Italian seasoning gives the air fryer croutons a herby flavor. I love using Italian seasoning because you get all the seasonings without having to buy a bunch of different jars.
Step 1
Preheat air fryer to 380° F.
Step 2
Cut the bread into roughly ¾ inch cubes.
Step 3
In the mixing bowl, toss the bread cubes with the olive oil until completely coated.
Step 4
Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the coated bread. Toss again to evenly coat the bread cubes with seasoning.
Step 5
Place the bread cubes in the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to work in more than one batch. Use the air fryer liner for easier cleanup if desired.
Step 6
Air fry for 6 minutes, shaking the basket after 3 minutes.
Step 7
Remove the croutons from the air fryer when golden brown.
Step 8
Serve and enjoy!
Tips For The Best Air Fryer Croutons
- Use slightly "stale" bread. It has the best texture.
- Don't overfill the air fryer basket. Keep the cubes in a single layer with a bit of room between them so they can crisp up. You may have to do a couple of batches in the air fryer.
- Keep an eye on them during the last couple of minutes so they turn golden brown and not burnt.
- I cannot recommend air fryer liners enough. They make cleaning up so easy.
Variations
- After removing the croutons from the air fryer, sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
- Mix in a ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for spicy air fried croutons. We have a large container of red pepper flakes because we add them to everything.
Serving Ideas
- A salad topping is a "traditional" way to serve croutons.
- As a topping on soup, especially a good French Onion Soup.
- My husband's favorite way to eat air fryer croutons is on their own as an afternoon snack.
Storage
- Store the croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- If they lose some of their crispness, pop them into the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Air Fryer Croutons
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
These air fryer croutons are made with simple, pantry ingredients and are packed with major flavor. An ideal way to use up leftover bread, perfect for soups, salads, and snacking. So much better than store bought!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed bread
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper,
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380° F.
- Cut the bread into roughly ¾ inch cubes.
- In the mixing bowl, toss the bread cubes with the olive oil until completely coated.
- Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the coated bread. Toss again to evenly coat the bread cubes with seasoning.
- Place the bread cubes in the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to work in more than one batch. Use the air fryer liner for easier cleanup if desired.
- Air fry for 6 minutes, shaking the basket after 3 minutes.
- Remove the croutons from the air fryer when golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use slightly "stale" bread. It has the best texture.
- Don't overfill the air fryer basket. Keep the cubes in a single layer with a bit of room between them so they can crisp up. You may have to do a couple of batches in the air fryer.
- Keep an eye on them during the last couple of minutes so they turn golden brown and not burnt.
- I cannot recommend air fryer liners enough. They make cleaning up so easy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
