Name: Air Fryer Croutons
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 cups bread cubes, in 1-inch cubes (sourdough, baguette, or any bread, slightly stale works best); 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp dried oregano (or thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning); 1/4 tsp salt; Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste); 2–3 tbsp olive oil

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Air fryer croutons are one of the best things about having an air fryer. They’re golden, crunchy bites that ready in just minutes! Perfect for topping soups, salads, or snacking straight from the bowl. All you need is a loaf of bread, a bit of olive oil and your favorite seasonings.

A hand with painted nails holds a single crouton above a bowl filled with more croutons. The crouton is golden brown with a crispy texture.

Why you’ll love these

Quick & easy: Ready in 5-8 minutes with hardly any effort.
Perfectly crisp: The air fryer makes them soo crispy
Customizable: Use any bread and season them however you like.
Reduces waste: Great for using up stale bread before it goes bad.

Ingredients

Bread: Sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, or even sandwich bread. Slightly stale bread is perfect! If use a soft bread it can be a bit harder to cut the pieces into squares, so in that case I find it easier to rip the bread into pieces.
Olive oil: Not too much but it helps the croutons crisp up beautifully.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dried herbs.

How to make air fryer croutons

Cut your bread into bite-sized cubes (about 1 inch).
Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and any herbs you’re using. Drizzle over olive oil and toss together to coat. Ensure the bread cubes are evenly coated but not overly oily.

Person cutting a loaf of bread on a wooden board. The bread has a crusty exterior and soft interior. Hands are holding a knife, slicing through the loaf. The background features a white tiled wall.

A hand pouring olive oil over a bowl filled with cubed pieces of bread. The bread looks rustic with a mix of brown crust and soft white interior. The scene suggests preparation for a recipe, possibly croutons or bread salad.

Add the bread cubes in a single layer to the air fryer basket. I use a couple of the pieces of bread so scrape out any seasonings left in the bowl.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (180°C) checking and shaking the basket halfway through. Keep an eye on them, as they can brown quickly!

Close-up of diced bread pieces being toasted in an air fryer. The bread appears crispy and golden brown, with some pieces showing a soft, fluffy interior.

Close-up of golden-brown croutons with a crispy texture, slightly seasoned and piled together. They appear crunchy and well-toasted, ideal for adding to salads or soups.

Let the croutons cool slightly—they’ll crisp up even more as they cool. Use immediately, or store for later.

Tips for Success

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer. You might need to cook them in batches.
Adjust the Timing: Different air fryers and bread types cook at slightly different rates, so check the croutons often after 4 minutes.

How to Serve Air Fryer Croutons

On soups: Perfect for pea and potato soup, tomato soup, or creamy pumpkin soup.
On salads: Adds crunch to Caesar salads, panzanella, or garden salads.

Close-up of grilled croutons on a creamy green soup, garnished with a small mint leaf. The croutons are golden brown and seasoned, sitting on a light swirl of cream on the soups surface.

Storing

At room temperature: Store in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 1 week.
In the freezer: Freeze croutons in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to restore their crispyness.

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Yield: 4 cups