These Air Fryer Croutons are crunchy, garlicky bread cubes tossed with olive oil or melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and Parmesan, then air fried at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes. I make them to use up bread that is starting to go stale. Four slices of bread make four servings, enough for a big salad or a few bowls of soup. They are handy in the fall and around Thanksgiving, when there is extra bread on the counter and soup on the stove.
I make croutons in the air fryer because there is no oven to heat up, no big sheet pan, and the kitchen stays cool. Hot air moves around the bread so each piece browns all over. You can open the basket, give it a quick shake, and see how they are doing. It is fast, uses less oil, and works well for small batches when you only need enough for one salad or a couple bowls of soup.
When you’ve got extra bread and need a quick topping, these come together fast and turn out the same each time. They cool crisp and stay that way; if they soften in the container, a short reheat in the air fryer brings them back. Make a small batch for tonight’s salad or a bigger batch for the week. They’re easy to keep on hand for lunches or for topping soup without last-minute prep.
Use whatever bread you have: sandwich bread, sourdough, buns, or a baguette. Day-old bread is drier, so it browns faster, gets crisp without soggy centers, and takes on seasoning well. Fresh works too; it may need a touch more time. Cut the cubes close in size so they brown evenly. Smaller pieces cook faster and get crunchier; bigger pieces keep a softer center. I like them on my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup.
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💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ready in about 11 minutes from start to finish.
- Uses up stale bread instead of throwing it out.
- Simple ingredients: bread, olive oil or butter, garlic powder, salt, and Parmesan.
- The air fryer makes them crisp without needing much oil.
- Good for topping salads, soups, or snacking.
➡️ Ingredients you’ll need
⏲ How to make air fryer croutons
👉 Easy ingredient swaps
- Bread: Any type works: white, sourdough, Italian, whole wheat, or even multigrain.
- Cheese: Try grated Romano or Asiago instead of Parmesan.
✨ Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne.
- Herb Lovers: Mix in dried basil or oregano for extra flavor.
- Cheesy Snack: Toss the cooled croutons in a bit more grated cheese right before serving.
〰️ How to serve
- Snacks: They are easy to eat by the handful once they cool.
💬 FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay crisp if fully cooled before sealing.
Can I use fresh bread instead of stale?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly softer. If using fresh bread, you can add an extra minute or two in the air fryer for more crunch.
How do I re-crisp leftover croutons?
Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes to bring back the crunch.
📚 More recipes to try
For a sweet way to put the air fryer to work, try my air fryer pineapple: brown sugar, cinnamon, and golden edges in about 20 minutes.
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Air Fryer Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 slices storebought bread, white, sourdough, or Italian (stale bread works best)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning or parsley (optional)
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 350 °F.
- Slice Bread: Slice 4 slices storebought bread into ½-inch cubes.
- Season: In a large mixing bowl, toss the bread cubes with 2 Tablespoons olive oil or melted butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional). Mix until evenly coated.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Sprinkle ¼ cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese and ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning or parsley (optional) over the bread and toss again.
- Air Fry: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 4-6 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Cool Then Serve: Let croutons cool slightly, then serve as desired.
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