These crispy Air Fryer Croutons come together in minutes and taste so much better than store-bought! They’re golden, buttery, and perfectly seasoned with just a hint of garlic. Toss them on your favorite salad or soup—or snack on them straight from the container. You only need five ingredients and your air fryer. It’s that easy!
If you’re a fan of homemade croutons and crackers, you’ll love my Parmesan Rosemary Crackers! These herby crackers are simple and easy to make, especially since you only need five ingredients.
If tortilla chips are more your style, try my Homemade Lime Healthy Tortilla Chips. The hint of lime and flaky sea salt makes them irresistible.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in under 15 minutes. No oven required!
- Perfectly Crisp: Air frying gives these croutons the ultimate crunch without over-drying.
- Zero Waste: A great way to use up stale or leftover bread.
- Versatile: Swap in different seasonings or use whatever bread you have on hand.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Stale Bread: Day-old bread works best since it’s drier and holds up to the butter and oil. Use sourdough, baguette, French bread, ciabatta, brioche, or whatever you have on hand. Just avoid super soft sandwich bread—it won’t crisp up the same.
- Salted Butter: Adds rich, savory flavor. You can use unsalted butter—just add a pinch more salt to taste.
- Olive Oil: Helps the croutons crisp up and gives a nice golden color. Avocado oil or another neutral oil also works.
- Granulated Garlic: Adds that classic savory flavor without overpowering. Garlic powder (1/8 teaspoon) is a fine swap, or use a garlic and herb seasoning blend for a little extra flair.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
Best Bread for Croutons
When it comes to homemade croutons, the bread makes all the difference. You want something sturdy enough to hold its shape and soak up all that buttery, garlicky goodness without turning to mush. Here are the best types of bread to use:
- Sourdough: Tangy and hearty with a chewy texture that crisps up beautifully.
- French Bread or Baguette: Light and crusty with the perfect crumb for croutons.
- Ciabatta: Airy and rustic, great for uneven craggy pieces that get super crispy.
- Brioche or Challah: A little softer and richer, but still toasts up beautifully (just skip if it’s too fresh).
- Multigrain or Whole Wheat: Adds a nutty flavor and works well if the slices are on the thicker side.
Ultimately, slightly stale bread works best! Day-old or two-day-old bread is ideal because it’s drier and holds up better to the oil and butter mixture before crisping up in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Croutons
Quick Overview
- Toss bread.
- Air fry.
- Cool.
Step by Step Instructions
Quick Tip From Bri
Shake the air fryer basket a few times while cooking to help the croutons brown evenly on all sides.
- Toss the Bread: In a large bowl, add the bread cubes, melted butter, olive oil, granulated garlic, and salt. Toss everything together really well so all the bread cubes are coated. You can use clean hands or a big spoon.
- Load Air Fryer: Do not preheat the air fryer. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry & Cool: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket 2-3 times while cooking. Watch closely near the end—they crisp up fast! Let the croutons cool completely in the air fryer basket or on a plate. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
These air fryer croutons are perfect for any of your homemade salads. Here are some of my favorites:
- Greek Salad: Made with a herby olive oil vinaigrette dressing, this yummy salad is refreshing, light, and perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
- Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula: This salad is hearty and full of different textures & flavors.
- Caesar Salad: A classic that you can’t go wrong with!
If you’re new to making salads at home, my post on How To Cut Romaine Lettuce for Salad is perfect for you!
Expert Tips
- Cut Evenly: Keep the bread cubes about ¾-inch for consistent cooking.
- Use Stale Bread: Slightly dry bread soaks up the butter/oil mixture better.
- Keep an Eye On Them: They can go from perfect to burnt quickly in the last few minutes.
Most Common Mistakes
- Using Fresh Bread: It won’t get as crisp and may turn soggy.
- Skipping the Shake: Tossing a few times ensures even browning.
- Overcrowding: Too many croutons at once leads to uneven texture.
Additions & Variations
- Cheesy Croutons: Sprinkle fresh parmesan over the warm croutons right after air frying for a salty, melty finish.
- Herb It Up: Swap the garlic for Italian seasoning, dried thyme, or rosemary. Even a pinch of dried basil works great.
- Smoky Twist: Add a little smoked paprika or chili powder to the mix for extra depth and a subtle kick.
- Use Any Bread: Sourdough, brioche, baguette, or even leftover hamburger buns—just about anything works!
- Lemon Pepper Croutons: For something a little brighter, try lemon pepper seasoning instead of garlic.
Recipe FAQs
Make sure they are well-spaced out on a shallow tray to ensure they crisp evenly and they don’t steam, causing them to become soggy. They also need to be in a single layer and not touching.
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Crispy Air Fryer Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups 3/4-inch stale bread pieces
- 2 Tablespoons melted salted butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
Instructions
- Toss the Bread: In a large bowl, add the bread cubes, melted butter, olive oil, granulated garlic, and salt. Toss everything together really well so all the bread cubes are coated. You can use clean hands or a big spoon.4 cups 3/4-inch stale bread pieces, 2 Tablespoons melted salted butter, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- Load Air Fryer: Do not preheat the air fryer. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry & Cool: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket 2-3 times while cooking. Watch closely near the end—they crisp up fast! Let the croutons cool completely in the air fryer basket or on a plate. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Cut Evenly: Keep the bread cubes about ¾-inch for consistent cooking.
- Use Stale Bread: Slightly dry bread soaks up the butter/oil mixture better.
- Don’t Overcrowd Them: Too many croutons at once lead to uneven texture.
- Keep an Eye On Them: They can go from perfect to burnt quickly in the last few minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
