Air Fryer Homemade Croutons: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Homemade croutons are incredibly simple and quick to make in an air fryer. They are a great way to use up any leftover bread and can be seasoned with your favourite herbs and spices. You can use any type of bread, from sourdough to baguette, and even gluten-free bread. The air fryer crisps them up in minutes, transforming them into golden, crunchy nuggets that are perfect for salads, soups, cheese boards, and even just as a snack.

Croutons from stale bread

To make croutons from stale bread in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 390-400°F (199-200°C). While the air fryer is preheating, cut your stale bread into bite-sized cubes. You can also use fresh bread, but day-old bread will result in croutons with a crunchier texture. Try to cut the bread into evenly sized cubes so that they cook uniformly.

Next, prepare your seasoning. You can use a variety of herbs and spices such as extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, or dried parsley, and salt and pepper. You can also experiment with other flavourings like onion powder, smoked paprika, grated parmesan cheese, or red pepper flakes. Drizzle the oil over the bread cubes and add your desired seasonings. Toss the bread cubes until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

Once the bread cubes are seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Place the seasoned bread cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Cook the croutons for 2 minutes, then open the air fryer and give the basket a light shake to move the croutons around. Cook for an additional 1-3 minutes, depending on how golden and crispy you like your croutons. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from golden to burnt very quickly.

When the croutons are done to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with a bit of salt while they are still hot. Allow the croutons to cool slightly before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.

You can store any leftover croutons in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag for up to 1-2 weeks at room temperature. If they lose their crispness, you can pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crunch.

Croutons from fresh bread

Making croutons from fresh bread in an air fryer is a simple and quick process. You can use any type of bread, such as sourdough, baguette, white sandwich bread, or even gluten-free bread. Fresh bread works just as well as stale bread for this recipe, though the former may take a little longer to cook.

Ingredients

• Bread
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Any other spices or seasonings of your choice, such as onion powder, smoked paprika, or red pepper flakes

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C).
• Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes.
• In a bowl, mix the bread cubes with olive oil or melted butter, and your chosen spices and seasonings. Toss the bowl or use your hands to ensure all pieces are covered.
• Place the seasoned bread cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Air fry for 2-4 minutes. Then open the air fryer, shake the basket, and cook for another 1-3 minutes, depending on how golden you want the croutons to be.
• Sprinkle with salt while they are still hot, and allow to cool before serving or storing.

Storage

Store any leftover croutons in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks and can be revived by popping them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crunch.

Croutons in the air fryer vs. the oven

Making croutons in an air fryer is a simple, low-maintenance method that produces perfect results every time. It is also a quick process, with most recipes taking between 6 and 10 minutes. The air fryer is a healthier option than traditional frying methods, as there is no need for excess oil.

To make croutons in an air fryer, cut bread into bite-sized cubes, add oil, butter, or both, and your choice of seasoning. Toss the mixture until the bread is evenly coated, and then place the cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 2-4 minutes, shake the basket, and then cook for another 1-4 minutes, depending on how golden you want the croutons to be.

The oven method for making croutons is very similar to the air fryer method. Cut the bread into cubes, add oil, butter, or both, and your choice of seasoning, and toss the mixture until the bread is evenly coated. Then spread the seasoned bread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven. The cooking time will be a little longer than in an air fryer—between 12 and 16 minutes.

The main difference between using an air fryer and an oven to make croutons is the cooking time. The air fryer is faster, and it also crisps up the croutons more quickly, so they can go from soft to burnt in an instant. This means you need to keep a close eye on them. However, the oven method is still a valid option, and it produces very similar results.

Both methods are a great way to use up any leftover or stale bread, and you can season the croutons according to your preference. Whether you choose to use an air fryer or an oven, homemade croutons are a delicious addition to salads, soups, and even cheese boards.

Best bread for croutons

You can make croutons from any bread!

Technically, you can use any type of bread to make croutons, whether it's fresh or stale. However, some types of bread will yield better results than others.

Sourdough

Sourdough bread is a great option for croutons due to its complex and savoury flavour. It also tends to have a more rustic look with large holes, resulting in croutons of varying textures.

Baguette

Baguettes are a convenient choice for croutons, especially if you have a partial loaf leftover. They produce similar results to sourdough, but with more crunchy edge pieces due to their higher ratio of exterior crust.

White sandwich bread

White sandwich bread makes classic, slightly sweet-tasting croutons that are closest in taste and appearance to store-bought croutons. However, you have less control over the thickness and size of the croutons due to the pre-sliced nature of sandwich bread.

Other options

Other suitable breads for croutons include whole wheat, French bread, rye bread, homemade cornbread, and gluten-free bread. You can even get creative and use unique breads such as cinnamon raisin or challah, keeping in mind that the sweet flavour of these breads may limit their use in certain dishes.

Day-old vs. fresh bread

Both day-old and fresh bread can be used for croutons. Day-old bread is firmer and slightly easier to cut into cubes, while fresh bread has more moisture and may require a little more time in the air fryer.

Best oil for croutons

When making croutons in an air fryer, the best oil to use is extra virgin olive oil. It not only tastes great but also helps achieve that golden colour. Olive oil is also a healthier option than other oils or butter.

You can also use other oils such as avocado oil or melted butter, but olive oil is the best option for both taste and colour. If you want the best of both worlds, you can use half olive oil and half butter.

If you are using an oven instead of an air fryer to make your croutons, you can also use olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter.

Frequently asked questions