These Air Fryer Croutons are made in less than 10 minutes using just a handful of basic ingredients! Toss on top of soups or salads to add a satisfying crunch and a delicious garlic and herb flavor.
Store-bought croutons are convenient but some things are just better homemade, croutons being one of them in my opinion.
If you have day-old bread on hand, making these croutons will be a breeze.
You need less than 10 minutes!
Cube a day-old baguette, sourdough loaf, or French bread and seasoned with a simple blend of spices and a drizzle of olive oil.
Air fry until crispy and perfectly golden brown and then use them to top off salads and soups or eat them as a snack.
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Ingredients
Whip up these Air Fryer Croutons in under 10 minutes using a baguette, sourdough, or French bread.
Alongside bread, all that's required is olive oil, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. It's as straightforward as that!
Bread: Use any type of bread you have on hand. I used a day-old baguette but sourdough bread or French bread will work as well. If you have leftover stale or day-old bread that's even better! If you're gluten-free, you can use your favorite gf bread.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Not only does it add a delicious flavor, but it also contributes to achieving that golden color. While avocado oil or melted plant-based butter are great alternatives, olive oil is always my top choice.
Herbs: My go-to is dried oregano and parsley which are really versatile and go with many dishes but thyme, rosemary or even dried basil work great as well.
Seasonings: I kept it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Feel free to add smoked paprika, grated vegan parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for additional flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Helpful Equipment
To make these homemade vegan croutons, you'll need an air fryer. I use a Ninja Air Fryer XL.
Keep in mind that the outcome may differ based on the air fryer brand, so be sure to monitor the timing by checking often.
Once the croutons are golden and crispy, they are ready!
How to Make This Recipe
Making croutons is easier than ever using this air fryer method!
You'll never go back to store-bought after trying these garlic and herb croutons.
The full written recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Place 4 cups of cubed bread into a large bowl or spread on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the bread and mix until it is thoroughly coated then sprinkle on the seasonings. Toss together until evenly distributed.
Step 3: If needed, divide the croutons and air fry in two batches- this depends on the size of your basket.
Step 4: Air Fry at 400F for 4-5 minutes, no need to preheat the air fryer. Note that the second batch will cook quicker, I recommend checking and shaking the basket every 1-2 minutes.
Note: Please remember that all air fryers are different and can yield different results— you might need to adjust the cooking time. I recommend shaking the basket often and checking every 1-2 minutes to avoid burning, this is especially important during the second batch since it'll cook faster.
Substitutions & Variations
When you find yourself with day old bread, this crouton recipe is the perfect solution. Don't let it go to waste— turn it into delicious croutons instead!
Bread: You can use a variety of bread to make croutons. I often use a baguette, sourdough, or French bread. But ciabatta, whole grain, multigrain, rye, or sandwich bread can be used. You will need to adjust cook time.
Dried Herbs: Parsley and oregano are my favorites but basil, rosemary, and thyme are great as well. You could also use an Italian seasoning blend.
Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil adds the best flavor but feel free to use melted vegan butter or avocado oil.
Serving Ideas
I love having these croutons ready to sprinkle over a wide variety of soups and salads, providing that satisfying crunch!
Add to soups: My favorite soups to add croutons on top of are tomato basil soup, broccoli cheese soup, potato cauliflower and leek soup, and butternut squash soup.
On top of salads: Croutons are a delicious addition to most salads including a simple green salad with a vinaigrette. My personal favorite is on top of a vegan Caesar salad.
You can even use them to make homemade stuffing, breadcrumbs, or eat as a snack!
Tips & Tricks
You can use day old or fresh bread for croutons. Day-old bread, being firmer and drier, is easier to cube and absorbs olive oil more effectively. Fresh bread has a higher moisture content which may require an additional minute or so in the air fryer.
Adjust temperature depending on the bread used. I recommend shaking the basket often and checking every 1-2 minutes to avoid burning— this is especially important during the second batch since it'll cook faster.
Do not overcrowd the basket. Leave space between each crouton to allow even browning. If needed, cook the croutons in two batches, but avoid overfilling the basket.
Make sure to shake the basket often. The goal is to achieve crisp, golden brown croutons. They can go from perfect golden to burnt in seconds so check them often.
Let the air fryer croutons cool for a moment before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool!
Storage
You need to prevent moisture in order to keep these fresh.
Allow the croutons to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or a Ziploc bag for 5-7 days.
If the croutons aren't as crispy after storing, just pop them back in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes!
Keep in mind that homemade croutons don't contain preservatives, so they will have a shorter shelf life compared to store-bought options.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use a variety of bread to make croutons. I often use a baguette, sourdough, or French bread. But ciabatta, whole grain, multigrain, rye, or sandwich bread can be used as well.
Oftentimes, no. Store-bought croutons often contain dairy products. But thankfully, it's easy to make vegan croutons at home.
Yes, bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Recipe
Air Fryer Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cubed Bread see note
- 2 tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt see note
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Place 4 cups of cubed bread into a large bowl or spread on a baking sheet. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the bread and mix until it is thoroughly coated.
- Sprinkle the dried parsley, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper onto the bread. Toss together until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Air Fry at 400F for 4-5 minutes, no need to preheat the air fryer. If needed, divide the croutons and air fry in two batches- this depends on the size of your basket. Note that the second batch will cook quicker, I recommend checking and shaking the basket every 1-2 minutes. Keep in mind they will crisp up a bit more after air frying.
- Store leftover croutons in an airtight container or Ziplock bag, at room temperature, for up to 5 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent moisture.
Notes
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