Air Fryer Croutons
Air fryer croutons turn stale bread into crunchy, golden cubes in 6 minutes, with no oven and almost no oil. Homemade croutons beat the boxed kind for flavor, and the basket gives you even color with a quick shake halfway. This recipe covers the cubes, the seasoning and the times for sourdough, baguette and other breads, plus the secret to keeping them crunchy.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 16min
- Prep time
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 140kcal
Why the air fryer works for croutons
A crouton is just dry bread with fat and seasoning, so the job is to remove moisture without burning the outside. The oven does this slowly and uses a lot of energy for a small handful of bread. In the air fryer, hot air moves through a loose layer of cubes, so water leaves each piece quickly and the edges brown evenly in about 6 minutes.
Because the cubes are so light, the amount of oil and the size of the cut matter more than the temperature. Too much oil makes them greasy, and large cubes stay soft in the center. Aim for even ¾-inch pieces and a thin, even coat of oil, and you get a crunch that lasts through a whole bowl of salad.
How to make croutons in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the bread Cut day-old bread into ¾-inch cubes, trimming the crust if you like. Fresh bread works too, but it needs 1–2 extra minutes.
- Season Put the cubes in a large bowl, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Toss with your hands until every cube is lightly coated.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for . Do not preheat with loose bread inside, because light cubes can lift toward the heating element.
- Cook and shake Spread the cubes in the basket in a loose single layer, filling no more than half the basket. Cook for , shaking the basket after , until golden and dry. Cook in two batches if you have more than 4 cups.
- Cool Pour the croutons onto a plate or sheet pan and let them cool for . They crisp up further as they cool, so do not judge them too soon.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Croutons | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sandwich bread, ¾-inch cubesShake after 3 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 6 min |
| Sourdough or baguette | 375 °F (190 °C) | 6–7 min |
| Fresh bread | 350 °F (180 °C) | 7–8 min |
| Garlic parmesanAdd cheese at the end (not vegan) | 375 °F (190 °C) | 6 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Use day-old bread. Stale bread has already lost moisture, so it crisps quickly. If your bread is fresh, leave the cubes on a plate for 30 minutes first.
- Do not fill the basket. A single loose layer and a shake at the halfway point give the most even color. Cook in batches for more than 4 cups.
- Let them cool. Croutons feel slightly soft when they come out of the basket and turn crunchy within 5 minutes.
What to serve with croutons
Croutons are made for Caesar salad, but they also belong on tomato soup, French onion soup, chili and a green salad with vinaigrette. Serve them with a main such as chicken breast or salmon and a big bowl of greens. You can also use leftover garlic bread cut into cubes for extra flavor.
Storing and reheating
Let the croutons cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. If they soften, re-crisp them in the air fryer at 350 °F for 2 minutes.
Variations
- Garlic Parmesan: Toss the hot croutons with 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan right after cooking (not vegan).
- Italian: Use Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic powder.
- Everything bagel: Replace the oregano with 1 tsp of everything bagel seasoning.
- Sweet: For dessert croutons, toss with melted butter, cinnamon and sugar and cook at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes (not vegan or dairy-free).
If it does not turn out right
- The croutons are chewy in the middle
- The cubes were too large or the bread too fresh. Cut ¾-inch cubes and add 1–2 minutes, then let them cool completely.
- The croutons are burned on the edges
- The temperature was too high or the batch too small and light. Lower the temperature to 350 °F and check at 4 minutes.
- The seasoning falls off
- Toss with the oil first so the herbs and garlic powder stick, and add grated cheese only after cooking.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook croutons in the air fryer?
About 6 minutes at 375 °F, shaking halfway. Large cubes or fresh bread can take 8 minutes, and thin ½-inch cubes are done in 4–5 minutes.
What temperature is best for air fryer croutons?
375 °F gives golden, crisp cubes in 6 minutes. At 350 °F they take 8 minutes and brown more gently, which is useful for thin cubes.
Can I make croutons without oil?
Yes. Spray the cubes lightly with cooking spray instead, or skip the fat and cook at 350 °F for 6–8 minutes. They will be drier and a little less rich.
What is the best bread for air fryer croutons?
Sourdough, baguette, ciabatta and plain sandwich bread all work. Sturdy, slightly stale bread gives the crunchiest result.
What did you think of this recipe?
Be the first to rate this recipe.
