Air Fryer Croutons: A Crunchy Bread Makeover

Making croutons in an air fryer is a simple, low-maintenance method that produces perfect results every time. It is also a great way to use up stale or leftover bread. You will need bread, oil or butter, and seasonings of your choice. Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes, then toss with your chosen oil or butter and seasonings. Place the bread cubes in the air fryer basket and cook at around 350-400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Once golden brown, remove from the air fryer and allow to cool before serving or storing.

Croutons from stale bread

Stale bread is perfect for making croutons and a great way to reduce food waste. You can use any type of stale bread, but a crusty, hearty bread like sourdough or French bread will give you the ultimate crunch. If your bread is fresh, you can leave it out to dry before making your croutons.

Ingredients

• Stale bread
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, parsley, onion powder, smoked paprika)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F.
• Cut the stale bread into bite-sized cubes.
• In a bowl, mix the bread cubes with olive oil or melted butter and your chosen seasoning. Toss until all the pieces are coated.
• Place the seasoned bread cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's okay if they overlap a little, but try not to overcrowd the basket.
• Air fry at 350-400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.
• Remove the croutons from the air fryer when they are golden brown. Sprinkle with a little extra salt while they are still hot, if desired.
• Allow the croutons to cool slightly before serving. They will become extra crunchy as they cool.

Storage

Store your homemade croutons in an airtight container or sealed bag at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week. If they start to soften, 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 tasty way to add some crunch to your soups and salads. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect croutons from fresh bread:

Ingredients

You will need:

• Fresh bread of your choice (sourdough, baguette, white sandwich bread, or any crusty bread with a lot of flavour)
• Olive oil (extra virgin or regular) or melted butter
• Seasonings (such as garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and pepper)
• Air fryer

Preparation

• Cut the fresh bread into bite-sized cubes. The size can vary, but aim for about 1-inch cubes.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes with your chosen oil or butter. Drizzle or toss the bread cubes until they are well coated.
• Add your desired seasonings to the bowl. You can use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and pepper, or experiment with other herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, or parsley.
• Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring that each bread cube is evenly coated with oil or butter and seasoned to your liking.

Cooking

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (180-200°C).
• Place the seasoned bread cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's important not to overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry the croutons for 4 minutes, then give the basket a shake to move the cubes around. Continue air frying for another 2-4 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning. The total cooking time will be around 8-10 minutes.
• Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.

Storage

Store your homemade croutons in an airtight container or sealed bag at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to revive their crunch, simply pop them back into the air fryer for a quick reheat.

Croutons from sourdough bread

Making croutons from sourdough bread in an air fryer is a simple and tasty way to use up leftover bread. The process is straightforward and quick, and you can have delicious homemade croutons in under 15 minutes. Here is a detailed guide on how to make croutons from sourdough bread using an air fryer.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make croutons from sourdough bread:

• Sourdough bread
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter)
• Seasonings (such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and parsley)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Start by cutting your sourdough bread into bite-sized cubes or pieces. The size of the cubes can vary, but aim for consistency so that the croutons cook evenly. Day-old bread is easier to cut, but it is not necessary to use stale bread. You can use fresh sourdough and tear it into pieces if you prefer.

Step 2: Season the Bread Cubes

Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle or pour your chosen oil over the bread cubes, ensuring that all pieces are coated. Then, add your desired seasonings and toss the bread cubes until they are evenly coated with the spices. You can use a rubber spatula or your hands to mix everything together.

Step 3: Cook the Croutons

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature and cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so adjust accordingly. Place the seasoned bread cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook the croutons for 3 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly.

Step 4: Serve and Store

Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. These homemade croutons are perfect for adding a crunchy texture to your favourite salads and soups. To store any leftovers, let the croutons cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or sealed bag. They should stay fresh for about a week at room temperature.

Croutons from French bread

Making croutons from French bread in an air fryer is a simple and tasty way to elevate your salads, soups, and cheese boards. Here's a detailed guide to help you make delicious croutons from French bread using your air fryer.

Ingredients:

• French bread (stale or day-old bread is perfect for extra crunch)
• Extra virgin olive oil (or avocado oil/melted butter)
• Herbs and spices: garlic powder, oregano or Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper
• Optional: onion powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or grated parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
• Cut the French bread into bite-sized cubes. Try to make the cubes similar in size for even cooking.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano or Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can use your hands or a spatula to toss the bread cubes until they are evenly coated.
• Place the seasoned bread cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
• Air fry at 350-400°F for 2 minutes. Then, open the air fryer, shake the basket lightly to move the bread cubes around, and cook for an additional 1-3 minutes, depending on how golden you want your croutons.
• Remove the croutons from the air fryer and sprinkle with a bit of salt while they are still hot. Allow them to cool slightly, and they're ready to serve!

Storage:

You can store any leftover croutons in an airtight container or sealed zip lock bag at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks. To revive their crunch, simply pop them back into the air fryer for a quick reheat. Alternatively, you can transform them into breadcrumbs by pulsing them in a food processor.

Croutons from gluten-free bread

Making croutons from gluten-free bread is easy and budget-friendly. You can use any gluten-free bread you like, but dry bread works best for croutons. Here is a step-by-step guide to making gluten-free croutons in an air fryer.

Ingredients

• Gluten-free bread
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or melted vegan butter/ghee)
• Spices (garlic powder, dried oregano or Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper)

Method

• Cut the gluten-free bread into bite-sized cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes with the oil and spices. Use your hands or a spatula to ensure all pieces are coated evenly.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C).
• Place the seasoned bread cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Air fry for 2-4 minutes. Then, shake the basket and cook for another 1-4 minutes, depending on how golden you want your croutons.
• Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt while still hot. Allow to cool slightly, and they're ready to serve!

Storage

Store any leftover croutons in an airtight container or sealed bag at room temperature. They should stay crispy for up to a week. If they lose their crispness, you can pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crunch.

Frequently asked questions