These easy air fryer croutons are golden, crunchy, and ready in under 10 minutes. They are the perfect way to use up leftover bread, and they turn any soup or salad into something special. Once you make homemade croutons in the air fryer, you will never buy the boxed kind again.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Croutons
Ready in under 10 minutes. Faster and easier than the oven, with no preheating a big appliance.
Uses up leftover bread. A perfect way to rescue day-old or stale bread from the bin.
Extra crispy. The air fryer circulates hot air for crunchy croutons every time.
Budget friendly. Homemade croutons cost a fraction of the store-bought kind and taste so much better.
Totally customizable. Change up the seasonings to match whatever you are serving.
There is something so satisfying about turning a few slices of forgotten bread into a batch of crunchy, golden croutons. They make a simple soup or salad feel special, and they are almost impossible to stop snacking on straight from the basket.
What You Need to Make Air Fryer Croutons
Just a handful of simple ingredients. Full measurements are in the recipe card above.
Leftover bread. About 3 cups, cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Day-old or slightly stale bread is best.
Olive oil or melted butter. Helps the croutons crisp up and the seasonings stick.
Garlic powder. For that classic savory, garlicky flavor.
Italian seasoning. A blend of dried herbs that makes them taste like the real deal.
Salt and pepper. To season and bring everything together.
You will also want a good air fryer for the crispiest results, though I have included an oven method below too.
The Best Bread for Croutons
The beauty of air fryer croutons is that almost any bread works, which makes them perfect for using up odds and ends. Day-old or slightly stale bread is actually ideal, since it is drier and crisps up faster. Sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, and regular sandwich bread are all great choices, each giving you a slightly different texture. Heartier, chewier breads like sourdough and ciabatta make sturdy croutons that hold up beautifully in soup, while soft sandwich bread makes lighter, more delicate ones. If your bread is very fresh and soft, leave the cubes out for about 15 minutes before cooking, or add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the cook time.
How to Make Air Fryer Croutons
Here is the quick walk-through, and the full recipe is in the card above.
Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F for 2 to 3 minutes.
Toss. Toss the bread cubes with the oil until evenly coated, then add the seasonings and toss again. Oil first helps the seasonings stick.
Air fry. Cook in a single layer for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. Work in batches so they do not steam.
Check. They should be golden and crisp on the outside. Small cubes can go from golden to burnt fast, so check at 5 minutes.
Cool. Spread them out to cool completely; they get crunchier as they cool.
Tips for the Crispiest Croutons
Cut even cubes. Uniform pieces cook at the same rate and crisp evenly.
Do not overcrowd. A single layer is key, so the cubes roast instead of steam. Work in batches if needed.
Oil first, then season. Coating the bread in oil first helps the seasonings cling to every cube.
Shake the basket. Tossing halfway gives you even, all-over browning.
Let them cool. Croutons firm up and get their signature crunch as they cool, so do not judge them straight from the basket.
Flavor Variations
Plain croutons are wonderful, but they are so easy to dress up. Add grated Parmesan in the last minute of cooking for cheesy croutons, or a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky warmth. Ranch seasoning makes them taste like your favorite snack crackers, everything bagel seasoning is amazing on a brunch salad, and a little cayenne adds heat. For a sweeter twist, toss the bread with melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar for dessert croutons to top yogurt or ice cream. Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano all work beautifully too.
Ways to Use Air Fryer Croutons
These croutons are endlessly useful. The obvious move is piling them onto a big green salad or a classic Caesar, but they are just as good floating on top of a bowl of soup. They add the perfect crunch to creamy tomato or blended vegetable soups (they go especially well with the thyme in a blended vegetable soup), and they make a great topping for a grain bowl or even scrambled eggs. Honestly, I love them best as a snack straight from the container. However you use them, a handful of homemade croutons makes everything feel a little more special.
How to Store Air Fryer Croutons
Homemade croutons store really well, so it is worth making a big batch. Once they are completely cool, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure they are fully cooled before storing, since any trapped warmth creates steam that can make them go soft. If they lose their crunch, they are easy to revive: just air fry them for 1 to 2 minutes at 350 degrees F to bring back that fresh, crispy texture. I would not recommend the fridge, which tends to make them stale faster.
No Air Fryer? Use the Oven
If you do not have an air fryer, the oven works great too. Toss the bread cubes with oil and seasonings the same way, spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer, and bake at 375 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crisp. The oven takes a bit longer and is nice for making a really big batch at once, but the air fryer is my go-to for a quick handful of croutons with less heat and less time.
More Recipes to Serve Them With
These croutons are made for topping soups and salads. Here are a few favorites to pile them on:
What bread is best for air fryer croutons?
Day-old or slightly stale bread works best. Sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, and sandwich bread are all great.
Can I use fresh bread?
Yes, but let the cubes dry out for about 15 minutes first, or add 1 to 2 minutes to the cook time.
How long do homemade croutons last?
Up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Re-crisp in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Can I make them gluten free?
Absolutely. Just use your favorite gluten-free bread and follow the same steps.
Why are my croutons not crispy?
They were likely overcrowded or not cooked long enough. Use a single layer, and remember they crisp up more as they cool.
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Croutons
The Ingredients
Ingredients and Substitutions
Leftover bread – sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, or sandwich bread; use gluten-free bread if needed.
Olive oil or butter – olive oil for crisp, dairy-free croutons; melted butter for richer flavor.
Garlic powder – fresh minced garlic works, but watch it closely so it does not burn.
Italian seasoning – or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme, or ranch seasoning.
Salt and pepper – season to taste; add grated Parmesan or smoked paprika for variety.
What You Need
The Steps
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 2 to 3 minutes.
Toss the bread cubes with the oil in a bowl until evenly coated, then add the seasonings and toss again. Adding the oil first helps the seasonings stick.
Air fry in a single layer for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Work in batches if needed so the cubes do not steam.
Check and finish. They should be golden and crisp on the outside.
Spread them out to cool completely. They get crunchier as they cool.
Recipe Tips
Bread: day-old or slightly stale bread works best; sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, and sandwich bread are all good choices.
Soft bread: leave the cubes out for 15 minutes before cooking, or add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the cook time. Watch the end: small cubes can go from golden to burnt quickly, so check them at 5 minutes.
Storage: keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; to re-crisp, air fry for 1 to 2 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
These easy air fryer croutons are golden, crispy, and ready in under 10 minutes, and they are hands down the best way to use up leftover bread. A quick toss with olive oil and simple seasonings, a few minutes in the air fryer, and you have crunchy, flavorful croutons that put the boxed kind to shame.
Once you make these at home, you will be hooked. They add the perfect crunch to soups and salads, they cost pennies to make, and they come together faster than a trip to the store. This is one of those little recipes that quietly upgrades everything you serve it with.
2-3 cups leftover bread (cut into 3/4-inch cubes, about 3 to 4 slices)
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 2 to 3 minutes.
Toss the bread cubes with the oil in a bowl until evenly coated, then add the seasonings and toss again. Adding the oil first helps the seasonings stick.
Air fry in a single layer for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Work in batches if needed so the cubes do not steam.
Check and finish. They should be golden and crisp on the outside.
Spread them out to cool completely. They get crunchier as they cool.
Notes
Bread: day-old or slightly stale bread works best; sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, and sandwich bread are all good choices.
Soft bread: leave the cubes out for 15 minutes before cooking, or add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the cook time. Watch the end: small cubes can go from golden to burnt quickly, so check them at 5 minutes.
Storage: keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; to re-crisp, air fry for 1 to 2 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
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