These crunchy and tasty air fryer croutons are a breeze to do. Best use of stale bread.
Are you wondering why you should bother making homemade croutons when you can easily buy them at the store?
For starters, these taste so much fresher and crispier.
You can also customize them to your taste and preferences. Really easy to do.
Perfect for beginners!
You may also try wholewheat homemade bread, air fryer cashews, air fryer moong dal and air fryer mushroom puffs.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Versatility: You can use any type of leftover or fresh bread at home.
Such a nice way to use up stale bread.
Customizable: You can play around with the oil used and vary seasonings as per choice.
Easy, Quick, Tastier and Healthier: The recipe is really nothing much. Done in under 10 minutes and healthier than store bought, these are a win win.
Economical: Much cheaper making your own croutons.
You can salvage stale bread or even buy cheaper loaves closer to expiry date and make croutons from them.
Ingredients
Bread: I use multigrain or wholewheat bread.
A slightly stale baguette or sourdough also works well.
Oil: I use 2 tbsp. olive oil to give a lovely crunch to the croutons.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and oregano are what I used for these croutons.
Serving Suggestions
Salad: These croutons taste great in any salad for a terrific crunch.
Soup: I love croutons in my favourite soups like this tomato soup or pumpkin soup.
Pasta: These also taste great in saucy or creamy pastas like this pumpkin pasta or pasta in red sauce.
Snack: These croutons are a quick snack on their own. Have them plain or with a dip of choice.
Instructions
Take 4 to 6 slices of bread and pile them one on top of another.
Using a sharp or serrated knife, cut them horizontally and then vertically into equal sized cubes.
Assemble your seasonings together and mix them well.
In a large bowl take bread cubes, add seasonings and drizzle oil on top.
Mix well to coat evenly.
Meanwhile preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes.
Lay tossed bread cubes in air fryer basket and spread them out evenly. Don’t overcrowd.
Air fry for about 4 -6 minutes till the croutons are crispy and golden.
Remember they will continue to crisp up further once taken out so even if they feel a little softer, they will crunch up.
Take them out and cool them before storing in an air tight container.
Your air fryer croutons are ready to eat.
Expert Tips
Choosing the Bread: Opt for a slightly stale bread, any kind at hand works.
Fresh bread works too.
Cut Evenly: Try to cut your bread into even-sized cubes.
This helps them crisp up evenly.
Single Layer: Don't overload your air fryer basket.
Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer to allow for even cooking.
Season Generously: Don't skimp on the seasonings.
That way your croutons will have a good flavour.
Shake Halfway: Shake air fryer basket well midway during air frying for a consistent result.
Watch the Time: Keep a close eye on the croutons during the final minutes of cooking.
They can go from golden brown to burnt quite quickly.
Cool Before Storing: Let the croutons cool completely before storing.
They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
FAQs
Slightly stale bread works best for croutons as it soaks up the oil and seasonings better. But fresh bread works well too.
Yes. Store leftover croutons in an airtight container at room temperature.
They should stay fresh and crispy for up to two weeks.
Yes, feel free to use any oil that you prefer.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Air fryer Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 2 tbsp. oil
- ½ tsp. Pepper
- ½ tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Oregano
- ½ tsp. Garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. Paprika or Cayenne
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Instructions
- Take 4 to 6 slices of bread and pile them one on top of another.
- Using a sharp or serrated knife, cut them horizontally and then vertically into equal sized cubes.
- You can see the video.
- Assemble your seasonings together and mix them well.
- In a large bowl take bread cubes, add seasonings and drizzle oil on top. Mix well to coat evenly.
- Meanwhile preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes.
- Lay tossed bread cubes in air fryer basket and spread them out evenly. Don’t overcrowd.
- Air fry for about 6 -8 minutes till the croutons are crispy and golden.
- Remember they will continue to crisp up further once taken out so even if they feel a little softer, they will crunch up.
- Take them out and cool them before storing in an air tight container.
- Your air fryer croutons are ready to eat.
Notes
2. Cut Evenly: Try to cut your bread into even-sized cubes. This helps them crisp up evenly.
3. Single Layer: Don't overload your air fryer basket. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer to allow for even cooking.
4. Season Generously: Don't skimp on the seasonings. That way your croutons will have a good flavour.
5. Shake Halfway: Shake air fryer basket well midway during air frying for a consistent result.
6. Watch the Time: Keep a close eye on the croutons during the final minutes of cooking. They can go from golden brown to burnt quite quickly.
7. Cool Before Storing: Let the croutons cool completely before storing. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
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