Air Fryer Croutons - 5 Delicious Flavors
Blog: www.nextinlime.com
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread - cut into 1-inch cubes - around 3 to 3.5 cups of cubed bread. See Note A below
- 2 tablespoons olive oil - See Note B below
- seasoning of your choice - See Note C below
Italian Medley (Seasoning Option 1)
- 1.5 teaspoons dried italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Garlic Parmesan (Seasoning Option 2)
- 1.5 teaspoons grated parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Spice Delight (Seasoning Option 3)
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Lemon and Herb (Seasoning Option 4)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Simple Ranch (Seasoning Option 5)
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add olive oil and seasoning of your choice. Choose any of the 5 flavor options I've shared. Mix the oil and the seasoning together with a spoon.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the bread cubes. Then add the seasoning paste on top. Using a spatula or your hands, mix gently until all bread cubes are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Transfer the seasoned bread cubes to the preheated air fryer basket. Shake the basket to spread out the croutons in a single layer. If the batch is too large to fit in the air fryer, divide it into smaller portions and cook in multiple rounds to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the croutons for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through. Cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer, bread, and crouton size. You can also make croutons in the oven or the stovetop. See Note D below for those options.
- Once done, let them cool for 2-3 minutes to get a crunchier texture, then use as desired. For storage instructions, see Note E below.
Notes
Note A: Bread - You can use almost any bread of your choice. I have shared some bread options in the blog post above. Leave the crust on for added texture and flavor, or remove it for even-looking croutons.
Note B: Olive Oil - You can replace olive oil with any other cooking oil that has a high smoke point (e.g., avocado oil or safflower oil). Avoid using butter as it has a low smoke point and will break down during the high temperature cooking in the air fryer.
Note C: Seasonings - You can keep your croutons simple by seasoning them with some salt and pepper or try one of the 5 seasoning options I've shared. You can also try using store-bought seasoning blends such as za'atar, everything bagel, jerk, or chili.
Note D: Oven and Stovetop Methods
Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Spread seasoned bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-18 minutes on the middle rack, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Stovetop: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add seasoned bread cubes and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping every 90 seconds. or so, until golden brown and crispy.
When the croutons are done, let them cool for a few minutes so they can crunch up a little more. Then use them as needed.
Note E: Storage - To store croutons, allow them to cool completely, place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag lined with kitchen paper, and store in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing in the refrigerator or humid areas. Properly stored, croutons will stay fresh for 5-7 days. If the croutons have lost a little crunch, preheat the air fryer to 300 F (150 C) and reheat for 2-4 minutes, checking every minute. Then allow them to cool for 2-3 minutes before using.
Note F: Nutrition - The nutrition facts are for croutons made using the Italian Medley Seasoning (seasoning option 1).