Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love making croutons in the air fryer because they cook quickly and become wonderfully crisp without requiring much oil. I also find this recipe useful whenever I have bread that’s starting to become a little stale.

Another reason I make my own croutons is that I can control the seasonings. I can keep them simple with garlic and Italian herbs or experiment with Parmesan, spices, and fresh herbs to complement whatever I’m serving.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

4 cups bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

I cut the bread into approximately 3/4-inch cubes. I try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
I place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil.
I add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. If I’m using Parmesan, I add it at this stage as well.
I toss the bread cubes thoroughly until they’re lightly and evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
I preheat my air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 2–3 minutes if my model recommends preheating.
I transfer the seasoned bread cubes to the air-fryer basket. I arrange them in a relatively even layer and avoid overcrowding when possible.
I air fry the croutons at 350°F (175°C) for about 5–8 minutes. I shake the basket every 2 minutes so the croutons brown evenly.
I remove the croutons when they’re crisp and golden brown. Since they continue to crisp slightly as they cool, I avoid cooking them until they’re excessively dark.
I let the croutons cool completely before serving or storing them.

Servings and Timing

I get approximately 4 cups of croutons from this recipe, which is usually enough for about 6–8 salad or soup servings.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5–8 minutes
Total time: 10–13 minutes
Yield: Approximately 4 cups
Servings: 6–8

Variations

Garlic Parmesan Croutons

I add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and a few tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan. I love these croutons on Caesar salad or tomato soup.

Herb Croutons

I increase the Italian seasoning or use a combination of dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. I adjust the herbs depending on the dish I’m serving.

Spicy Croutons

I add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture. I like this version when I want a little heat in salads or creamy soups.

Ranch-Style Croutons

I season my bread cubes with a dry ranch-style seasoning blend instead of the Italian seasoning. I find that this gives the croutons a tangy, savory flavor.

Vegan Air Fryer Croutons

I use olive oil and skip the Parmesan or replace it with a dairy-free alternative. The croutons still become crisp and flavorful without cheese.

Storage/Reheating

I make sure my air fryer croutons are completely cool before storing them because trapped warmth can create condensation and soften them. I transfer them to an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them at room temperature for about 1 week.

I don’t normally refrigerate croutons because moisture in the refrigerator can affect their crisp texture.

If my stored croutons lose some of their crunch, I put them back in the air fryer at 325°F (165°C) for about 1–3 minutes. I watch them carefully because already-cooked croutons can brown very quickly.

FAQs

What type of bread can I use for air fryer croutons?

I can use French bread, Italian bread, sourdough, baguette, sandwich bread, or another sturdy bread. I particularly like bread that’s a day or two old because its slightly drier texture helps it become crisp.

Do I need to use stale bread?

No. I can make air fryer croutons with fresh bread, although slightly stale bread often gives me a crispier result. If my bread is very soft, I simply watch the cooking time and add another minute or two if necessary.

Why are my air fryer croutons not crispy?

When my croutons aren’t crispy enough, I usually find that the basket was overcrowded, the bread contained a lot of moisture, or the croutons needed a little more cooking time. I return them to the air fryer for another 1–2 minutes and check frequently.

Can I make air fryer croutons without oil?

I can make them without oil, but I find that a small amount of oil helps the seasonings stick and encourages more even browning and crispness. If I omit the oil, I expect the finished texture and flavor to be slightly different.

How do I know when air fryer croutons are done?

I remove my croutons when the exterior is dry, crisp, and golden brown. I remember that air-fryer models vary, so I begin checking them early and shake the basket frequently to prevent burning.

Conclusion

Air fryer croutons are a quick and practical recipe I use whenever I have extra bread on hand. With a little olive oil and a few simple seasonings, I can turn ordinary bread into crispy homemade croutons in around 10 minutes. I love adding them to salads and soups, and I can easily c

Air Fryer Croutons Recipe

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Air fryer croutons turn leftover bread into crispy, golden bites with olive oil, garlic, and savory herbs. They are ready in minutes and perfect for salads, soups, casseroles, or snacking.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5–8 minutes
Total Time: 10–13 minutes
Yield: Approximately 4 cups, 6–8 servings
Category: Side Dish
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

4 cups bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

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Instructions

Cut the bread into approximately 3/4-inch cubes, keeping the pieces similar in size for even cooking.
Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the Parmesan cheese if using.
Toss thoroughly until the bread cubes are lightly and evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes if recommended for your model.
Transfer the seasoned bread cubes to the air-fryer basket in a relatively even layer, avoiding overcrowding when possible.
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5–8 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes to promote even browning.
Remove the croutons when crisp and golden brown. Avoid cooking them until excessively dark because they will continue to crisp slightly as they cool.
Let the croutons cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

French bread, Italian bread, sourdough, baguette, sandwich bread, or another sturdy bread can be used.
Day-old or slightly stale bread works especially well because its lower moisture content helps the croutons become crisp.
For garlic Parmesan croutons, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and a few tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan.
For herb croutons, use additional Italian seasoning or a combination of oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
For spicy croutons, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
For vegan croutons, omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.
Do not overcrowd the air-fryer basket, as this can prevent the croutons from becoming evenly crisp.
Store completely cooled croutons in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for about 1 week.
If stored croutons lose their crunch, air fry them at 325°F (165°C) for 1–3 minutes, checking frequently to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 125 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 245 mg
Fat: 5 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3.7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 2 mg

hange the seasonings to match whatever I’m making.