Air fryer croutons are the perfect addition to soups and salads. Two of our personal favorites are creamy potato soup and Caesar salads.
Made with a few slices of bread, butter, and some common spices, these perfectly crispy croutons are a versatile ingredient that can even be a light snack on their own.
Ingredients
- Bread – White sandwich bread or French bread work well.
- Butter – We use unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter if you prefer. In that case, reduce the extra salt you add. Oil also works.
- Garlic powder – For extra flavor; adjust to taste.
- Salt – Adjust to taste. Use less if you’re using salted butter.
- Black pepper – For a hint of spice.
- Fine herbs – Optional for extra flavor. You can also use Italian-style seasoning.
Recipe Tips
- We prefer making croutons with slightly stale bread since it is easier to cut. Just leave the slices out for a few hours. You can also use fresh bread; just be gentle when cutting it.
- You can change the spices to suit your taste. We like garlic powder and some herbs, but you can also add some cayenne pepper for a hint of spice.
- Be sure to watch the croutons towards the end of their cooking time since they can go from perfectly brown and crispy to burnt rather quickly.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer so the croutons can brown evenly. Also, shake the air fryer basket regularly.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
First, cut the bread into 3/4 to 1-inch (2-2.5 cm) pieces and add them to a bowl.
Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and fine herbs (optional). Toss to coat.
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). When it’s hot, add the bread pieces and gently shake the air fryer basket to settle them in an even layer.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – otherwise, the croutons might not get as crispy.
Air fry the croutons for about 4-7 minutes or until browned and crispy. Shake the air fryer basket every 2 minutes to help with even cooking.
Keep a close eye on them towards the end since you don’t want the croutons to burn.
When they’re done, remove the croutons from the air fryer and snack on them as is or use them in soups or salads. They add the perfect crunch to a creamy Caesar salad. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have leftover croutons, allow them to cool and then store them in a sealed container (a mason jar works well) on the counter, where they’ll keep for about a week.
Related Recipes
We have lots of other great air fryer recipes for things that you can snack on or add as an ingredient to other dishes:
- Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Air Fried Tofu
- Tortilla Chips Made in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Edamame
- Tempeh in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 slices white sandwich bread
- 2-3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon fine herbs seasoning, or Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Cut 4 slices white sandwich bread into 3/4 to 1-inch (2-2.5 cm) pieces and add them to a bowl.
- Drizzle the bread with 2-3 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon fine herbs seasoning (optional). Toss or gently mix with a spoon until the bread is evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- When the air fryer is hot, add the bread pieces and gently shake the air fryer basket to settle the bread in one even layer. Don't overcrowd the air fryer, or the croutons might not get as crispy. If you have a very small air fryer, make less or cook in batches.
- Cook the croutons at 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for 4-7 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Shake the air fryer basket every 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them towards the end since you don't want the croutons to burn.
- Once done, remove the croutons from the air fryer and snack on them as is or use them in soups and salads.
Notes
- We use white sandwich bread for our croutons, but you can also use French bread.
- We prefer making croutons with slightly stale bread since it is easier to cut. Just let the bread sit out for a few hours. You can also use fresh bread; just be gentle when cutting it.
- If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of extra salt you add.
- Instead of butter, you can also use oil.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer so the croutons can brown and crisp evenly.
- Watch the croutons towards the end since they can go from perfect to burnt rather quickly.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
Love many these as they fast and easy. I prefer pumpernickel bread or marble bread. Enjoy