Cody Casey
Homemade croutons are a simple and tasty way to elevate your salads, soups, and cheese boards. With an air fryer, you can make crunchy and golden croutons in just a few minutes. All you need is some bread, oil or butter, and your choice of seasonings. You can use any type of bread, from sourdough to baguettes, and season them with herbs and spices like oregano, garlic powder, or smoked paprika. The air fryer ensures your croutons are perfectly crisp and golden without the hassle of oven baking. So, if you're looking for a delicious and easy way to upgrade your meals, making homemade croutons in an air fryer is a great option!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | White, wheat, sourdough, French, baguette, gluten-free, wholemeal, cornbread, brioche, country white, multi-grain, leftover/stale |
| Oil/Butter | Olive, avocado, vegetable, peanut, sunflower, melted butter |
| Seasonings | Parsley, oregano, Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 325-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 4-10 minutes |
| Storage | Airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread
The bread you choose for your homemade croutons is important, as it will determine the flavour and texture of the final product. Here are some tips to help you choose the right bread for your air fryer croutons:
Type of Bread
You can use almost any type of bread to make air fryer croutons, including sourdough, whole wheat, baguette, white sandwich bread, French bread, or even gluten-free bread. Sourdough bread has a complex and savoury flavour that translates into gourmet-tasting croutons, while baguette and white sandwich bread will give you a more classic, slightly sweet-tasting crouton. If you want your croutons to be extra crispy, opt for stale or day-old bread as it will be drier and easier to cut into cubes.
Oil or Butter
Olive oil is the best choice for croutons as it adds an awesome flavour and helps achieve that golden colour. However, you can also use melted butter for a buttery taste, or other oils like avocado, peanut, or sunflower oil. If you want the best of both worlds, you can use a combination of olive oil and butter.
Seasonings
The classic choice for crouton seasonings is oregano or Italian seasoning, which are very versatile and go with many dishes. You can also experiment with other herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dried parsley. For aromatics, try garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or smoked paprika. You can even add grated parmesan cheese to the mix!
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Using oil or butter
You can use either oil or butter to make homemade croutons in an air fryer. If you're using butter, make sure it's melted before you start. Olive oil is the most popular choice, but you can also use avocado oil, vegetable oil, or extra virgin olive oil. You can even use half oil and half butter for the best of both worlds.
Once you've chosen your fat, measure out around 2-3 tablespoons and pour it over your bread cubes. You can then add your chosen seasonings and toss the bread cubes until they're evenly coated.
If you're using oil, you can also add it directly to the air fryer. Place your bread cubes in the air fryer basket, and then drizzle the oil over them. Toss the cubes to ensure they're evenly coated, and then add your seasonings.
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Adding herbs and spices
A classic combination of herbs and spices for croutons includes oregano or Italian seasoning, which are versatile and pair well with many dishes. You can also experiment with thyme, rosemary, or dried parsley. For a stronger aroma, add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. If you want to add some heat, smoked paprika or red pepper flakes are a great choice. You can even try adding grated parmesan cheese to the mix.
When preparing your croutons, simply combine the bread cubes with olive oil, butter, or another oil of your choice, then add your desired herbs and spices. Toss the mixture until all the pieces are evenly coated. You can also use your hands to ensure everything is well combined.
- Oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
- Parsley, garlic powder, and seasoned salt
- Onion powder, parsley, garlic salt, and seasoned salt
- Sicilian blend (onion, oregano, red pepper, green pepper, basil)
- Cajun seasoning
- Rosemary and garlic
- Garlic and thyme
- Curry powder
- Smoked paprika
- Parmesan cheese
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Air fryer temperature and timing
The ideal temperature to air fry croutons is between 325°F and 400°F. If you are using a 6-quart air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. For other air fryer sizes, preheat to 390°F or 400°F.
The timing depends on the type of bread and the level of browning you want to achieve. For instance, if you are using fresh bread, it may take a minute longer than if you were using stale bread. Similarly, if you want your croutons to be golden, cook them for 6-8 minutes, but if you want them to be browner, you can cook them for up to 10 minutes.
- Cut the bread into cubes.
- Toss the bread with olive oil and spices.
- Place the bread in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 2 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and shake the basket to move the pieces around.
- Air fry for another 1-3 minutes, depending on how golden you want the croutons to be.
- Remove the croutons from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt while they are still hot.
- Allow the croutons to cool slightly before serving.
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Storing your croutons
Choosing the Right Container
Use an airtight container or a sealed zip lock bag to store your croutons. This will help keep them fresh and crunchy for longer periods. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag or container before sealing it.
Storage Temperature
You can store your air fryer croutons at room temperature. There is no need to refrigerate them. Keeping them in a cool, dry place in your kitchen is ideal.
Storage Duration
Your homemade air fryer croutons can last for quite some time if stored properly. They can be stored for up to 1-2 weeks at room temperature. However, it is recommended to consume them within a week for the best texture and taste.
Reviving Stale Croutons
If your croutons lose their crunch over time, you can easily restore them to their former glory. Simply pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to reheat and crisp them up. Alternatively, you can also use an oven for this purpose. This will bring back the desired crunchiness to your croutons.
Transforming Leftovers
If you have a large batch of croutons and anticipate not being able to finish them within the storage duration, you can transform them into bread crumbs. Pulse the leftover croutons in a food processor to create fresh, homemade bread crumbs that can be used in various recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need bread, oil or butter, and seasonings of your choice. For the bread, you can use any type you prefer, such as sourdough, whole wheat, baguette, or even gluten-free bread. For the oil, olive oil is recommended for its flavour and ability to brown the croutons evenly, but you can also use avocado oil, melted butter, or a combination of oil and butter. For seasonings, you can use dried herbs like oregano, Italian seasoning, parsley, thyme, or rosemary, as well as spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
First, preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (180-200°C). Cut your chosen bread into bite-sized cubes. In a bowl, toss the bread cubes with oil or melted butter and your desired seasonings until evenly coated. Place the seasoned bread cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Allow the croutons to cool before serving or storing.
Homemade air fryer croutons can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or bag for up to a week. To prolong their freshness, you can store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To maintain the crunch of your homemade croutons, it's important to store them in an airtight container or bag. Humidity will cause them to go stale and lose their crispness. If they do lose their crunch, you can place them in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Yes, using stale or day-old bread is actually ideal for making homemade croutons as it provides a better texture and is easier to cut into cubes. Just make sure the bread is not mouldy, as mouldy bread is unsafe to eat.
