Air Fryer Croutons

No oven preheating, no babysitting a pan. Just toss cubed bread with olive oil and seasonings, air fry until golden, and you've got crunchy little flavor bombs for salads, soups, or straight-up snacking.

I toss them on salads, creamy soups, veggie bowls, and even my Cherry Tomato Soup when I need something cozy and crunchy at the same time. And you bet these pair perfectly with my Kale Apple Cheddar Salad too.

Quick Answer

Air Fryer Croutons

• Time: 8 minutes total (6 to 8 minutes air frying)
• Texture: Golden, crispy outside with a light crunch
• Flavor: Garlicky, herby, and buttery from olive oil
• Best for: Salads, soups, snacking, or anyone using up leftover bread
• Method: Toss bread cubes with olive oil and seasonings, air fry at 380°F, shake halfway

These croutons crisp up fast in the air fryer and stay crunchy for days. You'll know they're done when they smell amazing and rattle in the basket when you shake it.

The ingredients

Day-old baguette or crusty bread: Ideal for air fryer croutons because the dryness helps them crisp fast. If you want extra flavor, sourdough croutons in the air fryer are amazing.

Olive oil: Gives that golden color. And yes, air fryer croutons with olive oil taste way better than using butter alone.

Dried parsley:For color and a hint of herb flavor.

Salt and pepper: Keep it simple. I always go a little heavy because my boys snack on these like popcorn.

For the ingredients quantities go to the recipe card below

Sophie Tips

If your bread is fresh: Put the cubes in the air fryer for 2 minutes to dry them out before adding oil and seasonings. This fixes the "why are my croutons soggy" problem every time.

Shake the basket 2 to 3 times: I used to only shake halfway, but I get way more even browning if I shake at 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and again right before they're done.

Listen for the rattle: When the croutons are ready, they'll sound dry and rattly when you shake the basket. If they're still soft and quiet, give them another minute.

The smell test: Your kitchen will smell like garlic and toasted bread when they're almost done. That's your cue to check them.

You can absolutely make croutons in an air fryer using gluten-free bread. Just pick a firmer loaf and watch them closely since they don't brown as much.

For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning before air frying.

Variations

• Garlic Parmesan Croutons: Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the bread cubes before air frying, then toss with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan right when they come out of the basket.
• Air Fryer Sourdough Croutons: Sourdough bread gives the best chewy-crisp texture with a tangy flavor that's amazing on Caesar salads.
• Smoky Croutons: Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika for milder flavor) to the olive oil before tossing with bread.
• Buttery Croutons: Swap half the olive oil for melted butter. This makes them taste more like restaurant-style croutons.
• Italian Herb Croutons: Use Italian seasoning instead of dried parsley, or add a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.

Serving Ideas

• On soups like tomato, butternut, or creamy veggie soups
• With any salad, especially kale salads
• Tossed into pasta salads for crunch
• On casseroles as a quick topping
• Straight out of the bowl when the kids aren't watching

Storage Tips

• Store fully cooled croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in a zip-top bag on the counter and they stay crispy the whole time.
• If they soften (which can happen if there's humidity), put them back in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes to crisp them up again.
• Avoid storing them in the fridge. The moisture makes them go soft faster.

FAQ