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Air Fryer Croutons are so easy and quick to make at home! Ready in under 10 minutes, perfectly seasoned, and crunchy with a chewy interior.

Croutons in a white bowl next to a spoon and a kitchen towel on a marble board.

Turn day-old bread into flavorful croutons with a bit of help from your Air Fryer! Making croutons at home is super easy and they are so much tastier than store-bought croutons which are often stale and don’t have much flavor.

This is a simple recipe that can easily be customized with any bread you have on hand (even gluten-free bread) and seasoning! Any salad or soup tastes even better with some crunchy golden homemade croutons on top.

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

  • Perfect for using leftover day-old bread
  • Add your favorite seasoning
  • It takes less than 10 minutes to make from scratch
  • They taste so much better than storebought croutons

Ingredient notes

Here is an overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for quantities.

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Croutons.
  • Bread – You can use any bread you have on hand but a loaf of sourdough or baguette works better than sandwich bread in my experience. You could also use cornbread to make cornbread croutons.
  • Olive Oil – I use olive oil because it is easier to use than butter and adds flavor but you can also use melted butter and any other oil for example avocado oil.
  • Seasoning – My go-to seasoning is dried oregano and a bit of garlic powder because it goes with everything but you can also use a combination of other seasonings depending on your taste.

How to make this recipe 

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page on the printable recipe card.

Steps for making croutons in the Air Fryer.
  1. Prep: Start by cutting the bread into 3/4-inch cubes. This works best with a serrated bread knife.
  2. Combine: Toss the bread cubes with the oil and seasonings in a large mixing bowl until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Bake: Bake the croutons at 380 degrees F for 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and crisp. Make sure to test the croutons after 5 minutes to make sure they are not too crisp.
  4. Finish and serve: Pour onto a baking sheet lined with paper towels so they stay crispy or serve immediately with your favorite soup or salad.

Expert tips for success

  • The bread should be day-old but not stale for the best texture. You can also use fresh bread.
  • A loaf of crusty bread works best! For example, baguette, sourdough, or french bread.
  • Use your favorite seasonings! We use oregano and garlic for seasoning because it goes with everything from salads to soups but seasoned salt, dried parsley, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or any other seasoning also works well.
  • You can leave the crust on or cut it off if you prefer.
  • Depending on your Air Fryer you might have to preheat it for the best result. Cooking times can also vary depending on your Air Fryer.
  • Homemade croutons make a great topping for salads and soups but also a great snack.
  • To make bread for stuffing and bread puddings, leave out the oil and seasoning and follow the same method to dry out the bread.

Recipe FAQs

Which bread is best for homemade croutons?

A crusty loaf works best in my opinion. Sourdough, challah, or baguette are perfect for making croutons in the Air Fryer.

Can I make croutons in the oven?

Yes, you can also make croutons in the oven if you don’t have an Air Fryer. They will take longer to cook but you can make a bigger batch. Bake them for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees F.

Can I use fresh bread for making croutons?

Yes, you can use fresh bread. It will be harder to cut into cubes so I recommend tearing it apart instead and it will take longer to bake.

A close up shot of crispy, golden croutons.

Serve it with

Homemade croutons are a perfect topping for salads, especially caesar salad, and soups. We also love to snack on them. Some of our favorite dishes to serve with air-fried croutons:

Leftovers

Leftover croutons can be stored in an air-tight container and stay fresh for about a week. Make sure they have cooled to room temperature before storing them to keep the croutons crispy.

A white bowl filled with croutons next to two spoons.

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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Croutons

Air Fryer Croutons are so easy and quick to make at home! Ready in under 10 minutes, perfectly seasoned, and crunchy with a chewy interior.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 8 oz bread
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper

Instructions 

  • Cut the bread into 3/4-inch cubes with a serrated knife. You should have about 4-5 cups.
  • Toss the bread with the oil and the seasoning in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add to the Air Fryer Basket and air fry at 380 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 5-7 minutes. Shake every 2 minutes to ensure even browning.
  • Serve immediately or spread out on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet.

Notes

  • The bread should be day-old but not stale for the best texture. You can also use fresh bread.
  • A loaf of crusty bread works best! For example, baguette, sourdough, or french bread.
  • Use your favorite seasonings! We use oregano and garlic for seasoning because it goes with everything from salads to soups but seasoned salt, dried parsley, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or any other seasoning also works well.
  • You can leave the crust on or cut it off if you prefer.
  • Depending on your Air Fryer you might have to preheat it for the best result. Cooking times can also vary depending on your Air Fryer.
  • Homemade croutons make a great topping for salads and soups but also a great snack.
  • To make bread for stuffing and bread puddings, leave out the oil and seasoning and follow the same method to dry out the bread.
  • Leftover croutons can be stored in an air-tight container and stay fresh for about a week. Make sure they have cooled to room temperature before storing them to keep the croutons crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
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About Julia Foerster

Hi, I'm Julia! Born in Germany, I call Canada now my home and love to share my favorite dishes with you! Here you'll find hundreds of recipes, all made from scratch, with lots of tips and detailed step-by-step instructions.

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