How to Make Croutons in the Air Fryer: Quick and Easy

Croutons are a great addition to breakfast or salads. Made in an air fryer, they not only cook quickly but also maintain the bread's soft and crispy texture. The recipe is simple and healthy, definitely worth trying.

Step 1: Choose the bread

Choosing the right bread is key to making delicious croutons. Slightly dry bread works best, such as baguettes, whole wheat bread, or toast. Fresh bread is too soft and moist, which can make the croutons soft and not crispy. The ideal choice is day-old bread, which has lost some moisture, making it slightly drier and better able to absorb added seasonings and oils.

Step 2: Cut into cubes

Cut the chosen bread into small cubes, about 1-2 cm. Try to keep the pieces uniform in size, as this ensures even heat distribution during baking. If the pieces are too large, the inside may not cook properly; if too small, they may burn.

Step 3: Coat with oil

Place the bread cubes into a large bowl, then pour in about 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil (melted butter works as well). Use your hands or a stirring stick to coat each piece of bread evenly. The oil helps make the croutons crispy on the outside and adds flavor.

Step 4: Add seasonings

Add seasonings according to your taste. Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. If you like an herby flavor, you can add some dried herbs like rosemary or thyme. For a cheesy flavor, sprinkle some grated cheese. After adding the seasonings, mix everything together by hand to ensure each crouton is coated evenly.

Step 5: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the croutons. Preheating helps stabilize the temperature inside the air fryer, ensuring a better crisping result. If you put the croutons in without preheating, the temperature may not be high enough, affecting the crispiness.

Step 6: Air fry the croutons

Place the seasoned bread cubes into the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd them, leaving some space between each piece so the hot air can circulate properly and cook all sides evenly. Set the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook for 8-10 minutes. Shake the basket gently every 2-3 minutes to flip the croutons and ensure even browning and crispiness.

Step 7: Check for crispiness

Once the cooking time is up, check the color and crispiness of the croutons. If they’re not as crispy as you like, add an additional 1-2 minutes of cooking time. Make sure every piece is golden and crispy on the outside, while still fluffy inside.

Step 8: Cool and enjoy

After baking, take the croutons out and place them on a cooling rack to cool slightly. This helps maintain their crispiness. Once cooled, the croutons are ready to be added to salads, enjoyed with soup, or eaten as a snack.

Are croutons made in an air fryer faster than in the oven?

Yes, croutons made in an air fryer are indeed faster than in an oven. The air fryer uses circulating hot air to heat the food, which allows the heat to quickly reach the surface of the ingredients and crisp them up.

In contrast, an oven requires preheating and doesn't heat up as quickly. The air fryer is more efficient in heat distribution, and typically, croutons can be done in 8-10 minutes.

Using an oven, however, might take 10-15 minutes, or even longer, especially when making a larger batch of croutons, where the time difference becomes more noticeable.

What dishes are air fryer croutons good for pairing with?

Here are some common and delicious pairings:

Salads

Croutons are the perfect "crispy element" in salads, adding a lot of texture. They go wonderfully with Caesar salad, Mediterranean salad, or roasted vegetable salad. The crispy croutons complement the fresh vegetables, creating a rich and flavorful bite.

Soups

Croutons are a classic addition to soups like tomato soup, pumpkin soup, or mushroom soup. After soaking in the soup for a while, the croutons absorb some of the broth, giving them a chewy texture and a fragrant, savory taste.

Cheese

Croutons also pair well with various cheeses, especially melted cheese. For example, adding croutons to a cheese fondue or baked cheese platter enhances the flavor and texture.

Chicken or Steak

Croutons make an excellent side for meat dishes like roasted chicken, steak, or pork chops. Their crispiness complements the tender meat, creating a delightful contrast in flavor.

Stews

Croutons work great with stews or braised dishes. When paired with braised beef or lamb, croutons absorb the meat juices, enriching the overall flavor of the dish.

How to ensure croutons don’t become too hard in the air fryer?

Here are some effective tips to prevent croutons from becoming too hard in the air fryer:

Control the amount of oil

Don't skip the oil.Ensure each crouton is coated with enough oil to prevent them from drying out.A light coating of cooking oil or melted butter not only enhances the aroma but also helps keep the croutons tender.

Adjust time and temperature

Start with a shorter cooking time,like 8 minutes,at a temperature of 180°C.Shake or flip the basket every 2-3 minutes to ensure even heat distribution and avoid overcooking certain parts,which could make them hard.

Don’t overcrowd the basket

When placing croutons in the air fryer,ensure there’s enough space between them for the hot air to circulate evenly.Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking,with some croutons being undercooked and others too dry.

Use drier bread

Opt for slightly drier bread,such as day-old bread,instead of fresh bread.Fresh bread contains more moisture and can lose too much during cooking,leading to dryness.Drier bread results in croutons that are crispy on the outside but soft on the inside.

Check regularly

Keep an eye on the croutons while cooking.As soon as they reach the desired crispness,remove them from the air fryer to avoid overcooking and hardening.