I love homemade croutons. It is something I always have in my kitchen to add to salads, soups, or just to snack on. I often bake my own homemade bread, and make an extra-large loaf to turn a part of it into homemade croutons. Whether you want to make croutons in the oven, or in the Air Fryer, it’s always a good idea as they taste much better than the store-bought ones and you can season them with your favorite seasonings. Think Italian seasoning, parmesan, or just plain salt and pepper croutons. You can also use your favorite bread to make them. I like Sourdough croutons, wholewheat croutons, cornbread croutons, and often use my bread machine bread to make the bread (what I’m using in the images of this recipe!).
The Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Bread: Choose your favorite! I often use stale bread that is 1-2 days old as it’s easier to cut compared to fresh bread. Go for a regular white loaf, wholemeal bread, sourdough, french baguette, cornbread, brioche, you name it! It all works.Oil: Olive oil is the best choice for croutons as it adds an awesome flavor. You can also use melted butter for buttery croutons. Other oils like peanut, sunflower, or avocado oil also work here.Seasonings: I used Homemade Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can do just rosemary and garlic, garlic and thyme, curry croutons, smoked paprika, or parmesan croutons.
How to Make Croutons in the air fryer
Top Tips
Air Fryer Oven. I use a large basket style Air Fryer, but if you’re using an Air Fryer oven them use the lower rack for the croutons.Weigh Them Down. I didn’t have a problem with the bread flying around the Air Fryer, but I heard that some of you experienced this. This depends on what type of bread you’re using. If this happens to you, you can weigh the croutons down with a metal trivet, this will prevent the bread from moving around. Remove the hot trivet with mittens when you’re done.
Storing Tips
Room Temperature: Store leftover croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Freezer: Homemade croutons freeze very well. Just place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat in the Air Fryer just to warm them up and help them crisp up again.
Adding Croutons to Salads
The main reason why I love to make croutons is to enjoy them in a large bowl of homemade Caesar Salad! To make a really delicious Caesar salad, make your Caesar Dressing from scratch, get fresh and crunchy romaine lettuce, freshly grate parmesan cheese, and make your own homemade croutons. I recommend adding your crunchy croutons right before serving, so if you’re making this ahead. Store the croutons and the dressing separately. Dressing the salad, adding croutons, and then keeping it in the fridge will make the lettuce and the croutons a little soggy which is not the best. And If you want to make a Chicken Caesar Salad or a Shrimp Caesar Salad, I have a wonderful recipe for you!
How to Eat Homemade Croutons
Salad: As I mentioned above, add them to your Caesar Salad. You can make different variations of it, try this Caesar Pasta Salad, or turn the salad into wraps and make Caesar Chicken Wraps. And if you want to try something new, substitute the croutons with these crunchy Air Fryer Chickpeas. Burrata Salad can also be made extra special with some crunchy croutons on top. Try adding them to a simple tossed green salad too. Panzanella Salad and this delicious Copycat Olive Garden Salad also use these croutons. Soups: Just like crackers are delicious in soups, so are seasoned croutons. Try topping Roasted Carrot Soup, Tomato Soup, or Cauliflower Leek Soup with these crunchy croutons. © Little Sunny Kitchen
