Air-Fried Garlic Croutons: A Crunchy, Easy Treat

Garlic croutons are a perfect crunchy addition to soups and salads. They are also great as a standalone snack. Making garlic croutons in an air fryer is super simple and can be done in under 10 minutes. All you need is some bread, olive oil or butter, and seasoning. You can use any type of bread, but thicker-cut, day-old bread works best. Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes, toss with olive oil or melted butter, and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or any other spices you like. Place the seasoned bread into the air fryer basket and cook at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-7 minutes, tossing the croutons halfway through.

How to Make Garlic Croutons in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right bread

When it comes to choosing the right bread for your garlic croutons, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use stale or day-old bread. This is because stale bread will give your croutons that desired crispy texture. You can use any type of bread you like, such as sourdough, whole wheat, white, or even leftover baguettes or French bread. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try using gluten-free bread or focaccia bread with rosemary and lemon thyme.

While you can use any type of bread, thicker-cut bread tends to work better for croutons. This is because thicker slices will hold up better to the air-frying process and give you a more satisfying crunch. In addition, crusty loaves are preferable to regular sandwich bread as they will provide a nicer texture for your croutons.

When preparing your bread, cut it into bite-sized cubes or slices. This will ensure that your croutons are the perfect size for topping salads or soups. You can also remove the crusts from your bread, but this is optional.

Remember, the key to choosing the right bread for your garlic croutons is to look for something stale or day-old, preferably with a thicker cut and a crusty texture. This will give you the best results in terms of taste and texture. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread and find the one that works best for you!

Preparing the seasoning

For a basic garlic crouton seasoning, you'll need garlic powder, salt, and olive oil or butter. You can melt the butter and mix it with the garlic powder and salt, or you can blend the olive oil with the garlic powder and salt. If you're using olive oil, a light drizzle or a few sprays should be enough to coat your bread cubes. You can also use other oils, such as avocado oil or olive oil spray.

Once you've blended your seasoning, you can set it aside until you're ready to toss your bread cubes in the mixture. You can also add other spices and herbs to your seasoning blend to create different flavour profiles. For example, you can add onion powder, Italian seasoning, parsley, or even cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your favourite garlic crouton seasoning. You can also try using different types of bread, such as sourdough, whole wheat, or French bread, to see which gives you the best results.

Coating the bread

To make garlic croutons in an air fryer, you can use any bread you like, including leftover bread, stale bread, or day-old bread. You can also use any type of bread, such as white, wheat, sourdough, whole wheat, rye, or French bread. If you're planning to use them in a Caesar salad, you might want to opt for a crustier loaf than regular sandwich bread.

Once you've chosen your bread, cut it into bite-sized cubes. You can either use a serrated knife or a very sharp knife to cut the bread, and cutting it into cubes is ideal because the bread won't tear.

Now it's time to coat the bread cubes. You can use olive oil, butter, or avocado oil for this step. If you're using butter, melt it first before adding your chosen seasonings. For garlic croutons, you'll want to include garlic in your seasoning blend. You can use garlic powder, garlic salt, or fresh garlic. Other seasonings you can add to enhance the flavour include onion powder, parsley, Italian seasoning, oregano, and seasoned salt.

Combine the oil or melted butter with your chosen seasonings in a medium-sized bowl. Then, add the bread cubes to the bowl and stir carefully until the bread is evenly coated with the seasoned oil or butter. Make sure all the pieces are well-coated for maximum flavour.

Air-frying the croutons

First, cut your bread into cubes. You can use any bread, but ideally, it should be a day or two old. Sourdough or crusty loaves work particularly well. Place the bread cubes into a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can also add your choice of seasonings at this point. Toss the bread cubes to ensure they are evenly coated.

Next, place the bread cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set the temperature to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 3 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket regularly to prevent burning. The croutons are done when they are golden and crisp.

Once cooked, transfer the croutons to a plate to cool. They can then be served immediately or stored in an airtight container for up to a few days.

Storing the croutons

Once you've made your garlic croutons in the air fryer, it's important to let them cool down to room temperature before storing them. This will ensure that they don't become soggy. Place the croutons in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. This will keep them fresh and crispy.

Your homemade garlic croutons will last for about two to three days if stored properly. However, some sources suggest they can last for up to five days or even up to two weeks. It's best to eat them within a few days to enjoy them at their freshest and crispiest.

If you want to make a bigger batch of croutons to enjoy over a more extended period, you can also freeze them. Place the cooled croutons in a freezer bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to use them, simply thaw them at room temperature or pop them into the toaster or oven to crisp them up again.

These homemade garlic croutons are a great way to use up leftover bread, and they're so much better than store-bought ones. Now you can enjoy them anytime by making a big batch and storing them for future use!

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