10 Easy Steps to Make Croutons in the Air Fryer

To make croutons in the air fryer, start by choosing your favorite bread, preferably day-old for extra crunch.

Cutting the bread into 1-inch cubes helps ensure even cooking. Toss the cubes with olive oil and your chosen seasonings like garlic powder or herbs for added flavor.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, then spread the cubes evenly in the basket. Air fry for about 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote crispiness.

Let the croutons cool before storing them in an airtight container to keep them crisp.

Keep going to discover tips for perfect flavor and texture when making croutons in the air fryer. These simple steps will help you achieve delicious, crunchy results every time.

Enjoy your homemade air fryer croutons as a tasty addition to salads and soups.

Key Takeaways

Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and toss with olive oil and preferred seasonings like garlic powder and dried herbs.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes to ensure even and crispy cooking.
Arrange bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation and prevent sogginess.
Air fry at 400°F for 4 minutes, toss or shake the basket, then cook an additional 2 minutes until golden and crunchy.
Cool croutons completely on a paper towel, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make croutons in the air fryer, you’ll need just a few key ingredients: bread, olive oil or melted butter, and your favorite seasonings like garlic powder and salt. Start by cutting your bread into uniform cubes, about 1-inch each, which helps guarantee even cooking and a consistent crunch.

Next, grab a mixing bowl to combine these bread cubes with olive oil and your chosen seasonings—garlic powder is a great staple, but you can add dried herbs for extra flavor. Toss everything well so each cube is evenly coated.

This simple preparation sets the stage for perfectly crispy croutons from your air fryer, turning basic ingredients into a delicious topping for salads or soups.

Choose the Best Bread

Picking the right bread can make all the difference when you’re aiming for perfect croutons. Using day-old bread or stale bread for croutons is the best part, as it crisps up nicely in the air fryer. Here are three great options to reflect upon:

Sourdough bread offers a rustic look and complex flavor, perfect for seasoned croutons with a sturdy texture.
Whole wheat bread provides a nutty taste and added fiber, giving your croutons a healthy twist.
Experiment with different types of bread like baguette, Italian, or rye to reveal unique flavors that elevate your salads and soups.

Choosing your bread wisely sets the foundation for tasty, crunchy croutons every time!

Prepare the Bread Cubes

Preparing the bread cubes properly is key to getting evenly crispy croutons. Start by choosing stale bread for croutons, as it creates a better crunch and helps reduce waste. Cut the bread into uniform 1-inch cubes to guarantee they cook evenly in the air fryer basket.

Once cut, toss bread cubes with olive oil and your preferred seasonings like garlic powder. This light coating helps the flavors stick and encourages crispiness. After tossing, let the bread cubes sit for a few minutes so the oil and seasonings absorb well.

This simple step enhances the flavor throughout. When you place them in the air fryer basket, spread them out evenly to allow hot air circulation, resulting in perfectly crisp croutons every time.

Select Your Seasonings

Anyone can customize their croutons by selecting seasonings that suit their taste. To create the perfect flavor blend, consider these three key tips:

Customize your croutons with seasonings that perfectly match your taste for an irresistible flavor blend.

Start with classic seasonings like garlic powder, dried oregano, and seasoned salt to build a savory base.
Add depth by experimenting with onion powder, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika for a unique twist.
Enhance freshness by mixing in chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary, and sprinkle grated cheese like Parmesan for an extra savory kick.

Adjust salt levels to fit your dietary needs, ensuring the natural flavors shine through. By thoughtfully choosing your seasonings, you’ll elevate your air fryer croutons to a delicious new level.

Mix Olive Oil and Spices

Start by choosing extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor and crisping power. Mix in popular spices like garlic powder, seasoned salt, and dried herbs to enhance the taste.

Make sure to combine everything well so the bread cubes get evenly coated before air frying.

Choosing the Right Oil

While extra virgin olive oil is ideal for making croutons because of its rich flavor and even browning, mixing it with spices like garlic powder and dried herbs lets you tailor the taste to your liking. Choosing the right oil is essential for achieving perfectly seasoned bread cubes with great flavor and texture.

Here’s a quick guide:

1. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil per 4 slices of bread to avoid greasy homemade croutons. 2. Combine your olive oil with spices and herbs in a bowl before tossing the bread cubes for even flavor distribution. 3. For added richness, mix olive oil with melted butter to enhance both flavor and texture.

This simple approach guarantees your recipe to make delicious, crispy croutons is a success every time.

Popular Spice Combinations

Three popular spice combinations can instantly elevate your air fryer croutons by mixing them with olive oil before tossing the bread cubes. Olive oil acts as the perfect base, helping garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and fresh herbs stick to the bread, enhancing the flavor.

For a classic touch, Italian seasoning—packed with rosemary, thyme, and basil—adds a robust herbal note. If you like heat, red pepper flakes or smoked paprika bring a smoky, spicy kick. Here’s a quick guide:

Spice Combination	Flavor Profile
Garlic powder + Italian seasoning	Herbal & savory
Smoked paprika + red pepper flakes	Smoky & spicy
Fresh herbs + onion powder	Fresh & aromatic
Cumin + coriander + olive oil	Warm & exotic

Try mixing these spice combinations with olive oil for flavorful, customized croutons.

Tips for Even Coating

To get the most flavor from your chosen spice blend, whisk the olive oil and spices together in a bowl before adding the bread cubes. This step is key for achieving an even coating on your homemade Air Fryer Croutons. Follow these simple tips:

Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil per 4 slices of bread to keep the croutons crisp, not soggy.
Toss the bread cubes gently in the oil and spice mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated for consistent flavor.
Let the bread sit for a few minutes after tossing, allowing the oil and dried herbs to absorb and release their essence.

These steps will elevate your air fryer recipe with perfectly seasoned, flavorful croutons every time.

Coat the Bread Cubes Evenly

A large mixing bowl is the best place to start when coating your bread cubes evenly. Place the bread cubes inside and drizzle melted butter or olive oil over them. This makes certain each piece gets a light coat without becoming soggy.

Next, sprinkle your favorite seasonings like garlic powder and parsley flakes for consistent flavor throughout. Use your hands or a spatula to gently toss the bread cubes in the mixing bowl, making sure every cube is coated evenly without crushing them. After tossing, let the coated bread cubes sit for about 2 minutes.

This resting time allows the butter or oil to absorb fully, enhancing both flavor and texture in your croutons. Following these steps guarantees perfectly coated bread cubes every time.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Once your bread cubes are well coated and rested, it’s time to get your air fryer ready. To preheat the air fryer effectively and guarantee your croutons cook evenly with a crispy texture, follow these steps:

Use the preheat setting on your air fryer to quickly reach the desired temperature, typically 400°F (200°C).
Allow about 3-5 minutes for preheating, depending on your air fryer model.
Check your air fryer’s manual for specific instructions to optimize preheating.

Proper preheating helps reduce moisture from the bread, resulting in the perfect crunch. Skipping this step may cause uneven cooking and soggy croutons.

Arrange Bread in the Basket

Make sure to arrange your bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket, as proper airflow is key to getting them crispy.

If you have a lot, it’s better to cook in batches to keep every crouton perfectly toasted.

Single Layer Arrangement

To get perfectly crispy croutons, you’ll want to arrange the bread cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. This single layer setup is essential for the air fryer to cook every cube evenly, ensuring ideal crispiness without any burnt spots. Avoid overcrowding, as it disrupts airflow and results in unevenly cooked croutons.

Here’s how to nail it:

Spread the bread cubes evenly in one layer, allowing space for air circulation.
Use a non-stick basket or parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to redistribute the cubes, so all sides get toasted perfectly.

Following these steps guarantees your croutons come out golden, crunchy, and delicious every time.

Avoid Overcrowding Basket

Arranging bread cubes in a single layer sets the stage for evenly cooked croutons, but it’s just as important not to overcrowd the basket. Overcrowding in your air fryer restricts airflow, causing uneven cooking and soggy spots. To achieve consistent crispiness, spread the bread cubes without overlapping, ensuring each piece gets enough heat.

If you have a lot of bread, don’t hesitate to cook in batches—around 1-2 cups per batch works well depending on your air fryer’s size. This way, you maintain ideal air circulation and even cooking. Also, shaking the basket halfway through is helpful, but only if the basket isn’t packed.

This redistributes the bread cubes, promoting uniform browning and that perfect crunch you’re aiming for.

Air Fry the Croutons

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to get the perfect crispiness on your croutons. Once heated, place your seasoned bread cubes in a single layer inside the basket to guarantee even airflow and cooking.

Follow these steps for best results:

Air fry the croutons for 4 minutes.
Toss them with a spatula to promote uniform browning.
Cook for an additional 2 minutes until they turn golden brown.

Keep an eye on cooking times since they can vary by model. When done, your croutons should be crispy and golden brown.

Let them cool properly before transferring them to an airtight container to maintain their crunch.

Cool and Store Your Croutons

Once your croutons are air fried, let them cool completely on a paper towel to keep them crisp. You’ll want to store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunchiness.

Using the right container and avoiding moisture is key to keeping your croutons fresh and tasty.

Cooling Techniques

After air frying your croutons, you’ll want to let them cool on a paper towel-lined plate for about five minutes to soak up any extra oil and lock in their crunch. Proper cooling techniques are key to preserving that crunchy texture. Here’s what to do:

Allow croutons to cool completely to prevent moisture buildup, which can ruin crispiness.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep excess oil from making them soggy.
If your croutons lose their crunch, simply re-crisp them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.

Avoid refrigerating croutons since moisture will soften them. By following these steps, you’ll maintain that perfect crunch and enjoy your croutons longer.

Storage Containers

Though cooling your croutons properly is essential, choosing the right storage container is just as important to keep them crisp. Use airtight containers made of glass or plastic with tight-fitting lids to maintain crunch and prevent moisture absorption. These storage containers are perfect for long-term storage, helping your croutons stay fresh for up to 1-2 weeks.

Be sure to store them in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight, to prolong shelf life and guarantee peak freshness. If your croutons start to lose their crispness, don’t worry—you can easily re-crisp them in your air fryer or oven for a few minutes before serving. Proper storage and handling will keep your homemade croutons delicious and crunchy every time.

Maintaining Crunchiness

To keep your croutons crispy, let them cool completely on a paper towel-lined plate right after air frying. This step is essential to maintain their crunchiness and prevent sogginess.

Once cooled, follow these tips to preserve that perfect crisp texture:

Store your croutons in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and crunchy for up to a week.
If your croutons lose their crunch, simply re-crisp them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes.
For extra flavor, sprinkle seasoning or grated cheese immediately after cooking while croutons are still warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Make Croutons Using an Air Fryer?

To make croutons in your air fryer, start by cubing your bread and tossing it with olive oil and your favorite seasonings. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, then spread the bread cubes in a single layer inside.

Cook for 4 minutes, shake or toss them, then air fry for another 2 minutes until crispy. Let them cool on a paper towel before storing to keep them crunchy and delicious.

How Do You Make Homemade Croutons?

You know what they say: “Waste not, want not.” To make homemade croutons, cut day-old bread into cubes and toss them with olive oil and your favorite seasonings.

Spread them out evenly, then bake or air fry until they’re golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.

Once cooled, store in an airtight container. It’s a simple way to turn leftovers into a tasty snack or salad topper!

How to Crisp up Bread in an Air Fryer?

To crisp up bread in an air fryer, start by preheating it to 400°F. Cut your bread into evenly sized cubes so they cook uniformly. Toss the cubes with a bit of oil and your favorite seasonings to boost flavor and browning.

Spread them in a single layer in the basket, then air fry for 4-6 minutes, shaking halfway through. Let them cool slightly after cooking to get perfectly crispy results.

What Oil Is Best for Air Fryer Croutons?

Extra virgin olive oil is your best bet for air fryer croutons because it adds great flavor and helps them brown evenly. If you want a richer taste, melted butter works well too. Avocado oil is another solid choice since it handles high heat without smoking.

You can even try flavored oils, like garlic-infused olive oil, to give your croutons an extra kick. Just use about 1-2 tablespoons for four bread slices to keep them crispy without being greasy.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, chosen your bread, and seasoned it just right, it’s time to air fry, cool, and store your homemade croutons.

You’ll enjoy the crunch, you’ll love the flavor, and you’ll savor the freshness.

Making croutons in the air fryer is quick, simple, and satisfying.

So go ahead—crisp, season, and create your perfect croutons anytime you want a delicious, homemade touch to your meals.

With these easy air fryer croutons, you can elevate salads, soups, and snacks effortlessly.

Discover how simple it is to make crispy, flavorful croutons right at home with your air fryer.