These homemade air fryer croutons take about 10 minutes and are the best thing to happen to a day-old loaf. Crispy, well-seasoned, and better than anything from a box.
I have shamelessly snacked on croutons straight from the box...I bet you have too! But now I make these satisfying, bite-sized, crunchy bread cubes at home in an air fryer, offering a much healthier, less expensive, and tastier option than store-bought bread cubes.
Whether using up the last bits of bread or grabbing a fresh loaf, these air fryer croutons combine with just a few pantry staples in mere minutes.
They are delicious and quick to make if you want to top vegan soups & stews like Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup and Kale Potato and Leek Soup, or a salad like Vegan Caesar Salad.
For another delicious topping, checkout Vegan Bacon Bits and Crispy Shallots.
Jump to:
Why Air Fryer Croutons Beat the Box
- Turn forgotten bread heels, orphaned bun halves, or leftover slices into crunchy air-fried croutons in minutes
- Many store-bought croutons contain dairy (not sure why), like Romano cheese, whey, natural butter flavor, or other milk ingredients.
- You don't have to worry about consuming harmful preservatives that manufacturers add to store-bought croutons to increase their shelf life.
- You can customize the flavor of your croutons by adding different spices and herbs.
- Bread's a kitchen staple, so you can effortlessly turn slices into fresh, homemade croutons for salads, soups, and more-no more relying on bagged brands that go stale before you get around to them.
What You'll Need
Here is what you'll need to make delicious homemade croutons.
Olive Oil: Swap in avocado oil for olive oil, or go ultra-light with a quick spritz of cooking spray.
What Type of Bread Works Best for Air Fryer Croutons
Ideally, you want to choose a dense and sturdy bread that can hold its shape during cooking. That said, I have also made croutons with regular slices of white or whole grain bread, and they come out fine too.
By not preheating the air fryer, the gradual ramp up helps dry them out and gets them crispy.
Some bread options that work well for air fryer croutons include dense and sturdy bread like a French baguette, sourdough, and ciabatta. But again, use whatever you have on hand. You can even make it healthier by using whole wheat or whole grain breads.
Creative Seasoning Ideas
I use a basic seasoning mix, but here are a few more ideas you can incorporate for variety.
- Use a Homemade Taco seasoning, Vegan Chicken Seasoning, or Cajun Seasoning for variety.
- Vegan Parmesan and black pepper make delicious croutons.
- Lemon pepper - Combine with lemon zest, black pepper, and salt.
- Add a smoky and spicy kick with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
- Everything bagel seasoning is delicious on croutons.
How To Make Croutons in the Air Fryer
The measurements in the recipe can be modified easily depending on whether you are making a large batch or a small amount for one serving. Use the recipe as a general guideline. See the recipe card for details.
Step 1: Cut the bread into small cubes, around ¾ inch in size.
Step 2: Drizzle in the oil in stages-about a tablespoon at a time-tossing between additions so every crouton gets a perfect slick of flavor. Then,
sprinkle the bread cubes with seasonings, and toss or shake to coat evenly.
Step 3: Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer.
Step 4: Set the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and cook for 2 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally for even crisping. Times may vary by model.
Tips for Crispy Croutons Every Time
- While stale bread's lower moisture lets it soak up oil and seasonings for crispy results, this recipe also shines with fresh bread because it skips the preheating. The air fryer's gentle, rising heat slowly draws out moisture, delivering evenly crunchy croutons even with fresh bread.
- Air fryers differ in wattage, basket size, and airflow intensity, so cooking times and crispiness can vary significantly from one model to another. For reference, I'm using the Instant Pot Vortex 6QT XL.
- Smaller pieces will toast faster, so adjust the times if you change the recommended size.
- Make sure the bread cubes are mostly spread out in a single layer. You can overcrowd the air fryer a little with good results, but shake the basket a few times throughout the cooking process for even browning.
- Add seasoning to taste. Adjust the amount of salt and dried herbs to your liking.
How To Use Air Fryer Croutons
Of course, these air fryer croutons shine as a crunchy salad topper or sprinkled over soups like Vegan Carrot and Ginger Soup or Butternut Squash Carrot Soup - but don't stop there! Try them as:
- A savory snack straight from the bowl.
- Make them into bread crumbs with a quick blend in the food processor. Use the crumbs as a topping for pasta dishes like Vegan Chili Mac and Cheese or a binder in veggie ball mixtures. Add them as a salty, crunchy layer on avocado toast or for coating tofu cutlets or veggie fritters.
Air Fryer Crouton FAQs
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they'll stay crispy for up to 5 days.
Yes, you can freeze air-fried croutons. When they are cool, transfer them to an airtight container or bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before using. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain their crispness.
Yes. For the oven, preheat to 375°F (190°C), toss bread cubes with oil and seasonings, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and crisp. On the stove, heat a skillet over medium, toss the bread cubes with oil and seasonings, and cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
It depends on the brand - some croutons sneak in butter, cheese powders, buttermilk, or even honey, while others are just seasoned bread cubes and oil. Always scan the ingredients for dairy (butter, cheese, whey), eggs, or honey, and if you see a vegan-certified label (or nothing but flour, oil, herbs, and salt), you're in the clear.
Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Air Fryer Croutons recipe. Your feedback is invaluable-did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Recipe Card
Homemade Air Fryer Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ounces bread about 3-4 heaping cups sliced into ¾ inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder to taste
- cracked fresh pepper
Instructions
- Slice: Slice the bread into crouton-sized cubes, about ¾ inch cubes.
- Combine: Drizzle in the oil in stages-about a tablespoon at a time-tossing between additions so every crouton gets a perfect slick of flavor. Then, sprinkle the bread cubes with seasonings and toss or shake to coat evenly.
- Air fry: Place the bread cubes in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket before you turn it on. Set the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and start the cycle-your cubes will warm up as the fryer preheats. Once it hits temperature, let them cook for 2 minutes (or until golden and crisp), then check and add 30 second bursts as needed-air fryers vary, and croutons can go from perfect to burnt in a flash.
- Serve: Wait a few minutes to cool down before serving, and enjoy!
Regi Pearce says
These crispy, golden air fryer croutons are the easiest way to use up leftover bread while adding crunch and flavor to your favorite dishes. A simple, budget-friendly staple that takes minutes to make and instantly elevates soups, salads, and more!