Easy Air Fryer Croutons Recipe for Perfect Crispiness

Making air fryer croutons is quick, and easy and yields delicious, crunchy results every time. Not only are homemade croutons perfect for using up stale bread, they also let you control the portion size and ingredients like olive oil, and seasoning for the freshest homemade croutons.

A picture of a bowl of croutons with a salad in the background

I love making my own croutons. They’re fresh, tasty, and I can make as many as I need. They’re perfect for salads and soups.

Store-bought croutons are often hard, dry, and pricey. Homemade croutons, though, are light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Plus, they’re economical. Whether you prefer white bread, rye bread, French bread, or bagels, you can transform them into golden, crispy bites.

Why you will love this recipe

  • Quick and easy! Croutons cook faster in an air fryer than they do in a traditional oven.
  • Healthier! You can control the ingredients that you use to make these tasty bites.
  • Small batch! This recipe makes enough croutons for just a few servings.

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

  • Bread (any variety, preferably stale bread)
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Oregano

How to make air fryer croutons

a collage of process steps needed to make air fryer croutons as described in the steps below.
  1. Cut the bread into uniform-sized pieces.
  2. Place the cut bread pieces into a small mixing bowl and toss them with the oil and spices.
  3. Place the cubed bread in a single layer on an air fryer tray or basket and place them into a 400-degree f preheated air fryer for 6 minutes.
  4. Remove the croutons from the air fryer and let them sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes so that they cool off and crisp up.

Substitutions and variations

Bread – Use any type of bread that you have one hand. Experiment with different kinds of bread for varied textures and flavors. Rye bread and French bread both make excellent croutons.

Oil – Although I prefer olive oil, any type of cooking oil will work as well as melted butter which will make your croutons richer and more decadent.

Cheese – For a cheesy twist, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese onto your bread cubes before air frying.

Seasoning – A sprinkle of Italian seasoning can add a mix of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, making your croutons taste like they came from a fancy restaurant.

Spicy – Spice up your croutons and sprinkle in red pepper flakes, chili powder or cayenne pepper to the oil and seasonings.

Everything – Add a teaspoon or two of everything but the bagel seasoning.

an overhead view of croutons in white bowl with a salad

How to store homemade croutons

If you end up with leftover croutons, storing them properly will keep them nice and crispy. Once cooled, store your homemade croutons in an airtight container at room temperature. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.

If they are stored properly, they will stay fresh for up to a week. If your croutons become soggy or lose some crispness, you can easily refresh them by popping them back into the air fryer or oven at 375 degrees f for a couple of minutes.

Tips

  • Cut the bread into uniform pieces which will ensure even cooking. Aim for cubes that are one inch in size.
  • Don’t overcrowd the basket or tray to ensure that each piece gets enough air circulating around it for even cooking.

What to serve with air fryer croutons

Croutons are not just a tasty way to use of stale bread; they add a nice crunch and flavor to many dishes such as soups and salads. We like to pile the croutons into a crunchy kale salad, crunchy romaine salad, or an Italian hoagie salad.

Croutons also make a great snack on their own; season season them any way you like, croutons can cater to any taste craving. Try making a garlic and cheese version to serve at your next gathering.

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A picture of a bowl of croutons with a salad in the background

How to Make Air Fryer Croutons

Homemade croutons taste much better than store-bought and you and can make a small batch!
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Course: Snack
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 175kcal
Author: Anne Lawton

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces Bread about 4slices
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees f.
  • Use a sharp knife, serrated works best, to cut 4 ounces Bread into bite-sized pieces.
  • Place the bread cubes into a mixing bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 tablespoon Garlic powder, 2 teaspoons Onion powder and 1/2 teaspoon Oregano.
  • Arrange the cubed bread in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket and place them into a preheated (400 degrees F) air fryer – air fry for 6 minutes until the bread cubes are golden and crispy.
  • Remove the tray from the air fryer and let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes so that they are cool and crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
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Recipe FAQs

Can I make air fryer croutons with fresh bread?

Yes, you can make homemade croutons with fresh bread, it will take a little longer for them to cook, so start checking them periodically after about 8 minutes of cooking time.

Can I make this recipe in an oven instead of an air fryer?

yes, you can make croutons in an oven. Follow the instructions in the recipe card, but arrange the oil coated bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place them into a preheated 400 degree oven and bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Give them a toss and cook until golden and crispy – about 7 minutes longer.

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