These Air Fryer Croutons couldn't be easier to make! Simply toss bread cubes with oil and seasonings and air fry until golden and crunchy.
About This Recipe
I love my air fryer. It's so convenient for reheating food, cooking things up on weeknights, and of course, getting an amazing crunch. I use it for everything from grilled cheeses and chicken wings to roasted asparagus. Recently, I tried air-frying some homemade croutons, and they turned out fantastic. Super crispy, and they were done in a fraction of the time.
Of course, croutons are best with salads and soups, but even just as a snack, they are amazing. They're salty, savory, and have an addictive crunch. I found myself eating a handful every time I passed my kitchen. And now, I need to make another batch because I'm almost all out.
My favorite part about making your own croutons is that you can customize their doneness to your liking. Store-bought croutons are pretty much all the same...very dry and overcooked. But with homemade croutons, you can decrease the cooking time slightly to make the inside a bit softer. I personally love it when it's a bit soft in the middle.
Key Ingredients
Bread: Any type of bread will work for this recipe, and crusts are optional. Some people say stale bread is better, but I have found it doesn't matter too much.
Olive oil: This adds richness to the croutons and helps them brown during cooking.
Italian seasoning: This is my favorite seasoning for croutons because it adds lots of depth. If you don't have Italian seasoning, I would suggest dried oregano as a substitute since that is the most important herb in the blend.
Garlic powder: For garlicky flavor, obviously! You can also use fresh garlic, but I find the croutons go bad quicker when using fresh.
Dried parsley: Adds grassy notes.
Salt and pepper: I suggest about ½ a teaspoon of each but you can add more to your own taste.
Instructions
STEP 1: Add the bread cubes to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
STEP 2: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
STEP 3: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
STEP 4: Air fry for 6-7 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown.
Air Fryer Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread (cut into ¾-inch cubes)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Add the bread cubes to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Spread the bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 6-7 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown.
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