Air-Fryer Croutons: The Perfect Salad Topper

Making croutons in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to elevate your salads and soups. They are crunchy, addictive, and highly versatile. You can use any bread you have on hand, such as sourdough, French bread, or even gluten-free bread. The air fryer transforms stale or day-old bread into golden, crunchy nuggets with a soft centre. The best part is that they are ready in under 10 minutes!

Choosing the right bread

The best part about making croutons in an air fryer is that you can use any type of bread you have on hand. Whether it's French bread, sourdough, Italian, wheat, white, or even gluten-free bread, they will all work great. You can also use leftover stale or day-old bread to achieve that ultimate crunch.

If you want to go the extra mile, a hearty loaf with an airy crumb, like sourdough, will give you those extra crispy croutons. The large holes in sourdough bread create a rustic look, and the complex and savory flavor add depth to your croutons.

However, if you're looking for a more convenient option, a baguette is a great choice. People often have a partial loaf of baguette leftover, and it creates similar croutons to sourdough, but with more crunchy edge pieces due to its higher ratio of exterior crust.

For a more classic, slightly sweet-tasting crouton, you can use white sandwich bread. The downside is that you have less control over the crouton thickness as the bread comes pre-sliced.

Ultimately, the best bread for croutons is a matter of personal preference. You can't go wrong by using your favorite bread and getting creative with your seasonings.

Olive oil vs butter

Homemade croutons in the air fryer are simple to make and taste much better than store-bought. While some recipes call for butter, others suggest olive oil, and some even recommend a combination of the two.

Olive oil is a healthier alternative to butter, as it contains monounsaturated fats, which are known to lower the risk of heart disease and improve blood cholesterol levels. Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants and can reduce inflammation. It has a lower smoke point than butter, so it may not be suitable for cooking methods that require high heat. However, for air-frying croutons, olive oil is a good option as it adds flavour and helps the croutons crisp up nicely.

Butter, on the other hand, has a higher smoke point, making it suitable for cooking methods that require high heat. It also has a rich, creamy flavour that can enhance the taste of the croutons. Butter is a good source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as a source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a fatty acid that may offer health benefits. However, butter is higher in saturated fat and calories than olive oil, so it may not be the healthiest option.

When choosing between olive oil and butter for air-frying croutons, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Olive oil will give your croutons a golden colour and a crispy texture, while butter will add a rich, creamy flavour. You can also experiment with a combination of both to get the best of both worlds.

Seasoning options

The seasoning options for your air fryer croutons are endless. You can use any dried herbs and spices you like, or a blend of your choice. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Italian Seasoning

A blend of Italian herbs and spices is a great option for croutons. You can buy a pre-made Italian seasoning blend, or make your own using a combination of oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and/or marjoram. This blend is very versatile and goes well with many dishes.

Garlic and Parmesan

Garlic is a popular choice for croutons, and you can use fresh, powdered, or salt. Parmesan cheese is also a great addition, adding a boost of flavor and a crispy texture when baked or air-fried.

Onion Powder

Onion powder is another great way to add flavor to your croutons. It can be used on its own or in combination with other spices.

Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out the flavors in your croutons. You can use regular salt, seasoned salt, or garlic salt. Black pepper will add a nice kick.

Other Options

You can also experiment with other spices and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, parsley, paprika, red pepper flakes, and more. You could also try cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist, which works great on salads with fruit.

Air fryer temperature

The air fryer temperature you should set will depend on the type and power of your air fryer, as well as the type of bread you are using.

Most recipes suggest preheating your air fryer to around 400°F/200°C. However, one recipe recommends a lower temperature of 325°F/163°C.

If you are using an air fryer oven, you may need to place the croutons on the lowest tray and cook them for a shorter amount of time. For example, one recipe recommends cooking the croutons at 400°F/200°C for 3-4 minutes on the lowest tray of an Instant Pot Vortex air fryer oven.

If you are using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the croutons in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket as the croutons need space to crisp up.

The cooking time will depend on the temperature of your air fryer, the type of bread you are using, and how golden you want your croutons to be. For example, one recipe recommends cooking the croutons for 6-7 minutes at 390°F/199°C, while another recipe suggests cooking them for 6-8 minutes at 325°F/163°C.

If you are using stale or day-old bread, it may cook faster than fresh bread. Fresh bread has more moisture, so it may take a minute or two longer to cook.

Keep in mind that the cooking time can vary, so it is important to keep an eye on your croutons to ensure they don't burn. You may need to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure the croutons cook evenly on both sides.

If you are unsure, it is better to under-bake the croutons as you can always put them back in for longer. You can also pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes at a higher temperature (around 400°F/200°C) to revive their crunch.

Storage and reheating

Storing your croutons correctly is essential to preserving their texture and taste. Homemade croutons will keep for up to two weeks if stored properly.

To store your croutons, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or sealed bag. If you live in a humid environment, opt for a sealed bag or airtight container to prevent moisture from affecting your croutons' texture.

If you want to freeze your croutons, you can do so for up to two months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply air fry the frozen croutons at 300°F until they're crispy and thawed.

To revive the crunch of your stored croutons, pop them into the air fryer for a quick reheat. You can also transform any leftover croutons into breadcrumbs by pulsing them in a food processor.

Frequently asked questions