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Home Method Air Fryer
5
/5
7 minutes

Air Fryer Croutons (best texture!!)

Nut Free Nut Free Vegan Vegan Vegetarian Vegetarian
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard4 Comments
Posted: 4/16/21 Updated: 4/20/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Air fryer croutons are the best of both worlds: crispy on the outside, yet slightly soft on the inside. Seasoned with a simple blend of spices, they are ready in under 10 minutes!

When it comes to salads, I'm all about the vinaigrettes and tasty add-ins. And who can resist homemade croutons? They taste so much better than store bought and are surprisingly quick to make, especially when the air fryer is involved.

close up shot of air fryer croutons in bowl
Jump to... show
1 Reasons you'll ♡ this recipe
2 Recipe video
3 Ingredients you'll need
4 Step by step directions
5 Air fryer models that work
6 FAQ
7 Storage
8 Use your croutons up in
9 More salad recipes
10 Air Fryer Croutons (BEST texture!)

These croutons should come with a warning: dangerous- these are highly addictive! Add them to a kale caesar salad, or jazz up a strawberry spinach salad. They are so good in pretty much any salad!

Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

Reasons you'll ♡ this recipe

  • they have the best texture: soft on the inside, yet crisp and browned on the outside
  • the blend of spices is simple yet delivers big on flavor
  • the air fryer has these cooked through in 5 minutes or less, and requires less oil than a pan

Recipe video

See exactly how to make air fryer croutons by watching the video below! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

Ingredients you'll need

ingredients required to make air fryer croutons on grey background
  • bread- I love the flavor of sourdough bread, but you could use any sturdy loaf: french bread, challah or baguette would all work well. Day-old bread is easier to cut, but don't use completely stale bread- you want that soft texture on the inside!
  • olive oil- we need half the volume of oil to make these air fryer croutons compared to conventional stove top or oven recipes; you could swap for avocado oil if you'd like
  • seasonings- we are using onion powder, garlic powder and salt on these croutons. Using powdered ingredients instead of fresh helps to disperse the flavors over the surface of the bread. You could certainly get creative here.

Step by step directions

bread cubes on cutting board

1. Prepare bread- Cut your bread into 1 to 1 ½ inch cubes. Day old bread is easier to cut, if you have fresh bread, you may want to tear it using your hands. You'll need 4 cups of bread cubes for this recipe, which is roughly half of a boule of sourdough.

bread cubes tossed in oil and spices in bowl with spatula

2. Season bread cubes- Toss the bread cubes in olive oil until evenly coated, then add the garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Toss well.

croutons in air fryer before cooking

3. Cook- Pre-heat your air fryer at 400°F/200°C for at least 5 minutes. Add the bread cubes to the basket or tray, and cook for 3-5 minutes*, shaking occasionally. Depending on how closely together your breadcrumbs are positioned, you may need to cook for up to 7-8 minutes.

*if you are using an air fryer oven, place the croutons on the lowest tray.

croutons in the air fryer after cooking

4. Serve- Croutons are ready when they are golden brown all over (as shown above). Cool slightly before adding to your salad.


Air fryer models that work

This recipe was tested in two different air fryer models:

  • Cosori XL air fryer- this large basket-style air fryer cooked the croutons through in 4-8 minutes (depended on how big the batch size was)
  • Instant Pot Vortex air fryer oven- placed on the lowest tray, the croutons cooked through in 3-4 minutes

The biggest determinant in cook time was how many croutons were in the basket/on the tray. Keep an eye on them, shaking/turning as needed and using your judgment as to when it's time for them to come out- when they are evenly golden on all surfaces.


FAQ

What is the best type of bread to use for croutons?

I personally recommend sourdough as it adds depth of flavor to your croutons! You may use any crusty loaf such as french bread, challah or a baguette.

Are croutons healthy?

Well...they are made from bread and oil, so I do put them in the 'in moderation' category. These air fryer croutons require half the amount of oil as oven baked or pan-fried croutons, so they are slightly healthier.

Are croutons vegan?

Many commercially available croutons contain dairy products and are not vegan. These air fryer croutons are made with bread, olive oil and spices, so they are vegan.

air fryer croutons in blue bowl

Storage

Homemade croutons store well, but will not last as long as store bought croutons. Cool completely before storing.

  • Store in an open container (uncovered) at room temperature for up to 2 weeks; if you live in a humid environment, you will want to store in a bag or air tight container.
  • It may be possible to freeze them, though I have not tried. If you find them soggy upon thawing, toss them back in the air fryer to crisp up!

Use your croutons up in

  • kale caesar salad
  • cobb salad
  • broccoli cheese soup
  • butternut squash soup
  • cauliflower gratin
  • chicken and cauliflower casserole

More salad recipes

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    Falafel Salad Bowls (Meal Prep)
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    Chopped Chickpea Salad (Make Ahead)

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

close up shot of air fryer croutons in bowl

Air Fryer Croutons (BEST texture!)

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 7 mins
Print Rate
Air fryer croutons are the best of both worlds: crispy on the outside, yet slightly soft on the inside. Seasoned with a simple blend of spices, they are ready in under 10 minutes!
8 people

Ingredients

  • 4 cups sourdough bread cut in 1-1 ½ inches; see note 1
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil note 2
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions 

  • Prepare bread- Cut your bread into 1 to 1 ½ inch cubes. Day old bread is easier to cut, if you have fresh bread, you may want to tear it using your hands. You'll need 4 cups of bread cubes for this recipe, which is roughly half of a boule of sourdough.
    bread cubes on cutting board
  • Season bread cubes- Toss the bread cubes in olive oil until evenly coated, then add the garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Toss well.
    bread cubes tossed in oil and spices in bowl with spatula
  • Cook- Pre-heat your air fryer at 400°F/200°C for at least 5 minutes. Add the bread cubes to the basket or tray, and cook for 3-5 minutes*, shaking occasionally. Depending on how closely together your breadcrumbs are positioned, you may need to cook for up to 7-8 minutes.
    *if you are using an air fryer oven, place the croutons on the lowest tray.
    croutons in air fryer before cooking
  • Serve- Croutons are ready when they are golden brown all over (as shown above). Cool slightly before adding to your salad.
    croutons in the air fryer after cooking

Tips:

1- day old bread cuts easier than fresh, but I don't recommend completely stale bread. You can use sourdough, french bread, baguette, or any sturdy loaf
2- avocado oil would be another good option
Storage
  • Store in an open container (uncovered) at room temperature for up to 2 weeks; if you live in a humid environment, you will want to store in a bag or air tight container.
  • It may be possible to freeze them, though I have not tried. If you find them soggy upon thawing, toss them back in the air fryer to crisp up!

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 72kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 217mg, Potassium: 21mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Cynthia says

    Posted on 1/15/22 at Posted on 1/15/22

    5 stars
    Excellent and easy!

    Reply
    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Posted on 1/15/22 at Posted on 1/15/22

      Hi Cynthia, so glad you enjoyed! Thanks for sharing a review!

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    Posted on 1/12/22 at Posted on 1/12/22

    5 stars
    Perfect recipe for some fast and easy croutons! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Posted on 1/12/22 at Posted on 1/12/22

      Hi Becky, so glad you enjoyed! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a rating and review!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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