Crispy, golden brown croutons can instantly elevate a simple salad or bowl of soup. But instead of buying lackluster store-bought croutons, it’s easy to make your own crisp and flavorful ones at home using an air fryer.
In just minutes, you can transform plain bread into tasty croutons with a quick toss in flavored butter and spices. The air fryer works its magic, crisping the bread evenly on all sides for irresistible crunch without the hassle of oven baking.
In this post, I’ll share my easy method for making perfect air fryer croutons as well as plenty of tips for customizing them to suit any salad or soup. I’ll also include some fun flavor variations beyond the basic parsley, garlic, and onion powder seasoning.
From herb-packed Italian croutons to sweet and cinnamon-y raisin croutons to ultra cheesy and indulgent parmesan croutons, there’s an option for every palette.
Follow my simple step-by-step instructions for crisp, golden croutons ready in just minutes. Once you discover how fast and convenient it is to make your own, you’ll never buy premade again!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect Texture– the air frying method produces croutons with an irresistibly crispy, golden exterior while keeping the insides light and airy. The air fryer circulates hot air evenly around the bread for fast, foolproof results without any flipping or stirring.
Easy– it’s incredibly easy – with just a few basic ingredients and two simple steps, you’ll have delicious homemade croutons in under 10 minutes. No tedious oven baking required!
Cheap– making croutons at home is much cheaper than buying pre-made ones from the store. You likely already have all the ingredients on hand. And you can customize them to suit your tastes – add different spices, use various bread types, shape or size.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this croutons in air fryer recipe you will need these ingredients:
- 4 slices Bread
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Butter (melted)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion (powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic (powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy croutons air fryer recipe:
Step 1
Start by preheating the air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, combine the butter, salt, onion powder, parsley, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Mix them well.
Step 2
Cut the bread into small pieces, Add it to the bowl, and coat it evenly with the butter and spices.
Step 3
Place the bread into the air fryer basket and air fry for 6-7 minutes. The bread will be toasted and ready for serving. That’s it! Enjoy these tasty air fried croutons!
💡Tips
1. Try Different Bread Types
The basic recipe calls for white or wheat bread, but don’t be afraid to branch out! Brioche makes exceptionally light and tender croutons thanks to its egg and butter enrichment.
For heartier fare, use multigrain, seeded breads, or sourdough. Adjust air frying times accordingly, as dense breads take longer to crisp and may need extra tossing.
Mix up bread types in one batch for variety. Just cut them to similarly sized pieces so they cook evenly. Get creative with homemade bread too – that day-old rosemary loaf would shine as crispy croutons.
2. Using Different Spices
While the parsley, garlic, and onion powders make a tasty topping, you can easily substitute or add other dried herbs and spices. Popular options include oregano, basil, dill, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and cajun seasoning.
3. Add Some Parmesan Cheese
Want to take your air fryer croutons from ordinary to extraordinary? Add some finely grated parmesan cheese to the spice mix. The cheese melts deliciously into the hot buttered bread, forming a crispy, savory shell on each crouton. Use high quality parmesan.
An aged parm with crystalline texture works great. For an extra punch of flavor, look for cheese seasoned with black truffle or herbs. Just be sure to cut back on salt since parmesan can be quite salty on its own.
4. Don’t Overcrowd The Basket
With its compact size, it’s tempting to overload the air fryer basket to make the most of each batch. Avoid the urge! Just like oven baking, air flow is critical for even crisping. Overcrowding leads to steam trapped between pieces, which makes bread go soggy instead of crispy.
Work in smaller batches for best results, being careful not to overstack. Use a single layer for uniform cooking. The good news is that croutons cook quickly, so you’ll have multiple flawless batches in no time.
5. Toss Halfway Through
Partway through cooking, open the air fryer basket and toss the croutons with tongs. This exposes all sides to the circulating hot air. Be cautious when handling the hot basket. Use oven mitts to carefully slide it out.
Work quickly while tossing to prevent heat loss. A mid-cook toss helps prevent undercooked spots.
6. Cool Completely Before Storing
Resist the temptation to try a hot, freshly fried crouton! Allow them to come to room temperature before storage. Transferring steaming hot croutons into a sealed container creates condensation that leads to sogginess.
Spread them out on a sheet pan first. Once cooled completely, store croutons in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. Enjoy their crunch on salads and soups!
Variations
1. Italian Herb Croutons- Swap the parsley and garlic powder for 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, and rosemary. The aromatic herbs infuse the bread with delicious Italian flavor.
For extra zing, add 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Scented with the flavors of the Mediterranean, these croutons are perfect for topping salads or soups inspired by Tuscan cuisine.
2. French Bread Croutons– Instead of plain white bread, use half of a French baguette, cutting it into 1-inch cubes. The crusty bread soaks up the garlic-scented butter, transforming into crispy yet chewy croutons with rich flavor.
Scatter them over Caesar salad, French onion soup, or Provençal vegetable stew for delightful texture and taste. Their rustic style suits hearty dishes.
3. Cheesy Croutons– Before coating with the flavored butter, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan over the bread. As the croutons bake, the cheese forms a nice crust, intensifying the flavor.
The crunchy, melty morsels are delicious on top of creamy soups like broccoli cheddar or potato leek. Their salty sharpness balances lighter dishes.
4. Cinnamon Raisin Croutons- Use 4 slices of cinnamon raisin bread instead of plain white. The sweet bread caramelizes beautifully when air fried, creating croutons with a wonderful hint of cinnamon sugar flavor.
They make green salads much more interesting, as the burst of sweetness plays against the sharp vinaigrette. Scatter them over fruit salads too.
Keto / Low Carb Version
To make a keto and low carb version of this homemade croutons air fryer recipe, instead of using regular bread, use a low carb bread or cloud bread.
Cloud bread is made primarily from eggs and cream cheese or cottage cheese. It has very few carbs. You can find recipes for keto cloud bread online.
Gluten Free Version
To make a gluten free version of this air fried crouton recipe, use gluten free bread in place of regular bread.
I recommend using a sturdy gluten free bread that will hold up well to being cut into cubes and air fried, such as gluten free sourdough or sandwich bread.
Storage
These air fried croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. To preserve freshness and prevent sogginess, store the croutons in a sealed bag or container, removing as much air as possible.
For longer term storage, the croutons can be frozen in freezer bags or airtight containers for up to 3 months. Allow the frozen croutons to come to room temperature before using.
The key is keeping air out and preventing moisture from causing the croutons to lose their signature crunch. Follow the storage tips above and these homemade croutons will stay crispy and delicious for days!
You’ll Love These Recipes Too
Make sure to check out these great bread air fryer recipes too:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Make These Croutons Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can make gluten-free croutons by using gluten-free bread. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so just ensure your bread choice fits the bill. Keep in mind that gluten-free bread textures vary, so cooking times might need slight adjustments.
2. How small should I cut the bread for the croutons?
Cut the bread into 3/4 to 1-inch cubes. Pieces that are too small may burn or get overly crispy in the air fryer. Pieces too big may not get crispy enough in the center.
3. What else can I season the croutons with?
Feel free to customize the seasoning to your tastes! Other options include lemon zest, dried tomato flakes, cajun seasoning, parmesan cheese, chili powder, smoked paprika, and more.
Add the Croutons to These Salads
Air fryer croutons are crunchy, delicious bites of bread that can take a salad to the next level. If you’re looking for some fresh salad inspiration, try adding homemade air fryer croutons to any of these tasty creations:
1. Classic Caesar Salad- A bed of crisp romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan, and creamy Caesar dressing is the perfect base for a sprinkle of croutons. The crunch factor goes through the roof.
2. Cobb Salad – Bacon, egg, avocado – what’s not to love about the Cobb? Air fryer croutons add some welcome texture to this protein-packed salad.
3. Greek Salad – Tangy feta, olives, tomatoes, and cucumber are hallmarks of a good Greek salad. Buttery, garlic-infused croutons make it even more delicious.
4. Spinach Salad- Leafy spinach with red onion, mushrooms, hard boiled egg, and bacon or turkey goes well with just about any type of crouton you can dream up. Get creative with flavors!
So the next time you make a salad, consider giving it some extra bite by topping it off with crispy air fryer croutons. They’re simple to make and add so much to greens, veggies, chicken, and more!
And there you have it – deliciously crispy, flavorful croutons made right in your air fryer! With just a few simple ingredients and minutes of cook time, you can make croutons in air fryer!
Feel free to get creative with different breads, herbs, spices, and cheeses in the seasoning mix to customize these croutons to your liking.
I hope you’ll give this easy air fryer croutons recipe a try soon. Be sure to visit the site for many more air fryer recipes and cooking tips. Let me know in the comments how they turned out for you and what variations you ended up trying!
Air Fryer Croutons
- 4 slices Bread
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Butter (melted)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion (powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic (powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Start by preheating the air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, combine the butter, salt, onion powder, parsley, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Mix them well.
- Cut the bread into small pieces, Add it to the bowl, and coat it evenly with the butter and spices.
- Place the bread into the air fryer basket and air fry for 6-7 minutes. The bread will be toasted and ready for serving.
