Homemade Croutons in the Air Fryer
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These Air Fryer Croutons are one of those small things that instantly make a meal feel more special! They come out perfectly crisp, full of flavor, and way better than anything from a package.
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Air Fryer Croutons
These crispy, golden croutons are packed with flavor and ready in minutes! Perfect for salads, soups, or snacking straight from the bowl.
If you’ve ever bought a bag of croutons that were overly dry or bland, you’re in for a treat. These homemade croutons in the air fryer are crunchy on the outside, slightly chewy in the center, and packed with savory flavor thanks to garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and olive oil.
I love keeping a batch on hand because they stay crunchy and taste so much better than the bagged kind! I use them on everything, from a chicken Caesar salad to roasted tomato soup. And if you’re trying to eat more salads, these croutons make it a lot easier to look forward to your next bowl of greens!
The best part of all is that they’re ready in under 10 minutes and can be made in batches to last you all week. Once you make a batch, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them in the first place.
Ingredient Notes for Air Fryer Croutons
- Sourdough Bread |Slightly stale bread works best since it holds its shape and crisps up nicely without drying out. Crust-on or crust-off is up to you!
- Olive Oil | Helps the bread toast evenly and carries all the seasonings. A good-quality olive oil adds depth of flavor.
- Italian Seasoning | A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme adds an amazing flavor.
- Garlic Powder | A must for classic crouton flavor which resembles garlic bread.
- Parmesan Cheese | Grated Parmesan adds saltiness and helps create that toasty golden finish.
- Sea Salt | A small amount enhances all the other flavors. Don’t skip it!
Variations and Substitutions
- Bread: Use French bread, ciabatta, or any rustic loaf instead of sourdough.
- Spice: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Seasoning Blend: Swap Italian seasoning for a mix of dried dill and parsley for a ranch-inspired flavor.
- Dairy free: Omit Parmesan for dairy-free croutons.
- Caesar Variation: Try the Caesar variation by using garlic powder, Parmesan, caraway seeds, and sea salt for a sharper, bolder flavor.
How to Air Fry Croutons
This recipe is so easy to put together—all you need is a knife, a bowl, and your air fryer!
PREHEAT. Set the air fryer to 370 degrees and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes while you prep the ingredients.
PREP THE BREAD. Use a serrated knife to slice the sourdough into thick 1-inch slices, and then cut it into cubes. You may remove the crust if you like, but it is not necessary. You’ll need 6 cups of cubed bread.
MIX THE SPICES. In a large bowl, stir together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and sea salt.
SEASON THE BREAD CUBES. Add the bread cubes to the bowl and toss gently with a rubber spatula until all the pieces are evenly coated.
AIR FRY. Add a single layer of the seasoned bread to the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the croutons are toasted and golden brown. Note: You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
STORE. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
More Recipe Success Tips
Storage and Reheating Tips
Once cooled, store your air fryer croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. To revive slightly soft croutons, toss them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 370°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just be sure to use a sturdy gluten-free loaf so the croutons hold their shape during cooking.
Definitely! To make homemade croutons in the oven, spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 375°F oven for 10–15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Looking for More Air Fryer Recipes?
This easy air fryer truffle fries recipe and baked potatoes in the air fryer are always great side dishes. I have a yummy air fried okra recipe, too!
What to Serve With Homemade Croutons
These air fryer croutons are perfect on a Caesar salad with my homemade Caesar dressing recipe, a chopped kale salad, or even sprinkled over creamy soups like broccoli potato soup or sausage and tortellini soup.
You can also just snack on them straight from the container (no judgment here)! They’re a pantry staple you’ll always want to have on hand!
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Air Fryer Croutons
Ingredients
- ½ loaf sourdough bread 6 cups cubed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 370 degrees and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes while you prep the ingredients.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the sourdough into thick 1-inch slices, and then cut it into cubes. You may remove the crust if you like, but it is not necessary. You'll need 6 cups of cubed bread.
- In a large bowl, stir together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and sea salt. Add the bread cubes to the bowl and toss gently with a rubber spatula until all the pieces are evenly coated.
- Add a single layer of the seasoned bread to the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the croutons are toasted and golden brown. Note: You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Caesar Croutons: For a Caesar-style twist, season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and ½ teaspoon caraway seeds instead.
- Use slightly stale bread if possible. Day-old bread gives you the best texture. it’s dry enough to crisp up well but still holds some moisture inside.
- Cut bread evenly. Try to keep the cubes around 1 inch thick for consistent cooking. Smaller cubes will toast faster and may burn if left too long.
- Toss gently. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to gently coat the bread with oil and seasonings so you don’t crush the cubes.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket! Cook the croutons in a single layer, even if it means doing multiple batches. Overcrowding leads to uneven browning.
- Cool completely before storing. Let the croutons cool fully so they stay crisp. Storing them warm can trap steam and make them go soft.
- Once cooled, store your air fryer croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. To revive slightly soft croutons, toss them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 370°F.
- To make homemade croutons in the oven, spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 375°F oven for 10–15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
