These air fryer croutons are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in just 10 minutes. I make them with a baguette, olive oil, and whatever seasonings I'm craving that day. They're about a million times better than the cardboard ones from the store, and honestly, once you try homemade you won't go back
Perfect for Caesar salad, tomato soup, or just snacking straight from the basket (I won't tell). If you love easy bread-based recipes, you'll also want to check out my Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
The baguette gets golden and crunchy while staying a bit soft in the center. You can season them any way you want, but my go-to is just olive oil, salt, and pepper. Simple but so good.
Quick Answer
Air fryer croutons are small cubed pieces of bread tossed in olive oil and seasonings, then air fried until golden and crispy.
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 5-8 minutes
- Texture: Crunchy outside, slightly tender inside
- Perfect for: Salads, soups, snacking
- Method: Cube bread, toss with oil and seasonings, air fry at 375°F
- Dietary: Can be made vegan, gluten-free with appropriate bread
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The Ingredients
Bread Use day-old or slightly stale baguette. Fresh bread works too but won't get as crispy. Sourdough, French bread, or even sandwich bread all work.
Olive Oil This helps them crisp up and adds flavor. You can use avocado oil or melted butter if you prefer.
Salt and Pepper The base seasoning. Don't skip the salt or they'll taste flat.
Optional Add-ins Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, paprika, onion powder. Go wild.
See Recipe Card Below for Quantities
How to Make the Air Fryer Croutons
Cut the bread into cubes. Use a serrated knife and cut your baguette into roughly 1-inch cubes. They don't have to be perfect. I usually eyeball it.
Toss with olive oil and seasonings. Put the bread cubes in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil (about 2 tablespoons for half a baguette). Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings. Toss with your hands until every cube is coated.
Arrange in the air fryer basket. Spread them out in a single layer. Don't overcrowd or they'll steam instead of crisp. If you have a lot, cook them in batches.
Air fry at 375°F for 5-8 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through. They're done when they're golden brown and crunchy. Mine usually take 6 minutes, but ovens vary.
Cool before using. Let them sit for a couple minutes. They'll crisp up even more as they cool.
Sophie's Tips
The drier your bread, the better. If your baguette is super fresh, leave it out for a few hours or toast it lightly in the oven first.
Don't use too much oil. You want just enough to coat them, not soak them. Too much oil makes them greasy instead of crispy.
Shake the basket. I set a timer halfway through so I don't forget. This helps them brown evenly.
Let them cool completely before storing. If you bag them while warm, they'll get soggy from the steam.
Variations
Garlic Parmesan Croutons Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 tablespoons grated parmesan to the oil mixture. So good on Caesar salad.
Italian Herb Croutons Use Italian seasoning, dried basil, and a pinch of oregano. Great for minestrone or pasta salad.
Everything Bagel Croutons Toss with everything bagel seasoning instead of salt and pepper. I put these on avocado toast.
Spicy Croutons Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Perfect for creamy soups.
Cheesy Croutons Toss with nutritional yeast or powdered cheddar cheese. My kids love these as a snack.
Serving Ideas
Toss them on a classic Caesar salad or any green salad that needs crunch.
Float them on top of tomato soup, French onion soup, or creamy potato soup.
Use them as a topping for mac and cheese or baked pasta dishes.
Serve alongside a cheese board with crackers and nuts.
Crush them up and use as a topping for casseroles instead of breadcrumbs.
Snack on them plain. I do this way more than I should.
Storage Tips
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 5 days. They'll stay crispy if you make sure they're completely cool before sealing.
Freezer: You can freeze them for up to 3 months. Spread them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer bag.
Reheating: If they lose their crunch, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. They'll crisp right back up.
FAQ
Can you make croutons in an air fryer with fresh bread?
Yes, but they won't get as crispy as croutons made with day-old or stale bread. Fresh bread has more moisture, so it takes longer to dry out and crisp up. If you only have fresh bread, cut it into cubes and leave it out for a couple hours, or toast it in the oven at 250°F for 10 minutes before air frying.
How do you keep air fryer croutons from getting soggy?
Make sure your bread cubes are in a single layer with space between them so air can circulate. Don't use too much oil (just enough to lightly coat), and let them cool completely before storing. If they do get soft, reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crunch.
What's the best bread for air fryer croutons?
Baguette or French bread are my favorites because they have a sturdy texture and get really crispy. Sourdough also works great and adds a tangy flavor. You can use sandwich bread, whole wheat, or even gluten-free bread, but the texture will be a bit different. Avoid soft, fluffy breads like brioche unless you want a sweeter crouton.
Air Fryer Croutons
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the bread. Use a serrated knife to cut the baguette into roughly 1-inch cubes.
- Season the bread cubes. Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the top, then add salt and pepper (plus any optional seasonings). Toss everything together with your hands or a spoon until each cube is evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
- Load the air fryer. Arrange bread cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between pieces for air circulation. Don't overcrowd. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry the croutons. Set air fryer to 375°F and cook for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking time. Check at 5 minutes. They're ready when golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool and serve. Transfer croutons to a plate or bowl and let them cool for 2-3 minutes. They'll get even crispier as they cool. Use immediately or store in an airtight container
Sophie says
These Air Fryer Croutons are crispy, golden, and ready in just 10 minutes. Made with baguette, olive oil, and simple seasonings, they're perfect for salads, soups, or snacking. Way better than store-bought and so easy to customize with garlic, parmesan, or Italian herbs. A quick homemade side that elevates any meal.