Cody Casey
Homemade croutons are incredibly simple and quick to make in an air fryer. You can transform stale bread into golden, crunchy nuggets that are perfect for soups, salads, and even cheese boards. The whole process takes around 15 minutes, with 5 minutes of prep time and 8-10 minutes of cooking time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to make | 5 minutes to prep, 6-10 minutes to cook |
| Bread | Sourdough, French, Italian, white, wheat, baguette, gluten-free, rye, pumpernickel, whole-grain |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, melted butter |
| Seasoning | Italian seasoning, onion powder, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, Parmesan cheese |
| Air fryer temperature | 350-400°F |
What You'll Learn
How to make croutons in an air fryer
Making croutons in an air fryer is a simple, quick, and tasty way to add some crunch to your salads, soups, or cheese boards. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious croutons in an air fryer.
Ingredients:
- Bread: Use any type of bread you prefer, such as sourdough, French bread, whole wheat, white bread, or even gluten-free bread. Stale or day-old bread works best for extra crunch.
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its flavour and colour contribution, but you can also use avocado oil or melted butter.
- Seasonings: This is where you can get creative. Classic options include Italian seasoning (a blend of rosemary, oregano, thyme, and basil), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, or red pepper flakes.
Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
- Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes. Try to keep the sizes similar to ensure even cooking.
- In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes with your chosen oil and seasonings. Toss or mix until all the pieces are evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned bread cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap.
- Air fry for 2 minutes, then open the air fryer and give the basket a shake to move the pieces around.
- Continue cooking for 1-3 minutes, depending on how golden and crispy you like your croutons. Keep an eye on them, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.
- Once done, remove the croutons from the air fryer and sprinkle with a little extra salt while they are still hot. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Storage:
Store any leftover croutons in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to a week, and you can always pop them back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes to restore their crunch.
Tips:
- For the best results, cook the croutons in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This ensures that all the edges get golden and crispy.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can also make these croutons in the oven by spreading the seasoned croutons on a baking sheet and baking until golden.
Enjoy your homemade croutons, and feel free to experiment with different breads and seasonings to find your favourite combinations!
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Best bread for air fryer croutons
You can use any bread to make croutons in an air fryer, but some types are more popular than others.
Sourdough, whole wheat, French bread, and baguettes are all recommended. You can also use gluten-free bread. Stale bread is perfect for making croutons, and you can use any leftover bread you have, such as hot dog buns or sandwich bread.
Some recipes suggest using white bread, but this is not essential.
Tips for Making Croutons in an Air Fryer
- Cut the bread into evenly-sized cubes so they cook evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
- Season the bread with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Air fry for 2 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for another 1-3 minutes, depending on how golden you want the croutons to be.
- Allow the croutons to cool slightly before serving, as this will make them crisp up.
- Store leftover croutons in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks.
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Air fryer temperature for croutons
The air fryer temperature for croutons varies depending on the recipe used, but generally, it ranges between 350 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius).
One recipe recommends preheating the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and cooking the croutons for 5 to 6 minutes, or 4 to 5 minutes without any oil or seasonings for drying out bread.
Another recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (199 degrees Celsius) and cooking the croutons for a total of 6 to 8 minutes.
A third recipe calls for preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and cooking the croutons for a total of 6 minutes.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the type of bread used and the specific air fryer, so adjustments may be necessary to achieve the desired level of doneness.
Additionally, it is recommended to shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.
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How long to cook croutons in an air fryer
Making croutons in an air fryer is a simple and quick process. The total time taken to cook croutons in an air fryer is around 15 minutes, including preparation and cooking time.
Firstly, you will need to prepare your ingredients. This includes cutting your chosen bread into bite-sized cubes and adding your chosen seasonings and oil. You can use any type of bread, such as sourdough, French bread, or white bread. For the oil, extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use avocado oil or melted butter. For seasonings, you can use Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or get creative with your own combinations.
Once your bread cubes are seasoned, add them to the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (177-200°C). The cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of crispness and the strength of your air fryer, but on average, it will take 6-10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and a nice golden colour.
Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your homemade croutons as a crunchy salad or soup topping, or even as a snack on their own!
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Storing air fryer croutons
If your croutons lose their crunch, simply pop them back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to restore their crispiness. Alternatively, you can put them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 5 minutes to prep supplies and mix the ingredients. The croutons take about 8-10 minutes to cook in an air fryer. In total, it takes around 15 minutes to make croutons in an air fryer.
Your homemade croutons will last around a week in a sealed container at room temperature.
Any bread will work, but crusty or hearty bread such as sourdough is recommended. Stale or leftover bread can also be used to reduce food waste.
No, you do not have to use stale bread. However, stale bread will result in crunchier croutons.
Allow the croutons to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
