Description
These crispy and golden air fryer croutons are the perfect quick and easy way to upgrade your soups, salads, or even enjoy as a snack. Made with just a handful of pantry staples and ready in 10 minutes, they offer all the crunch with only a fraction of the fat compared to store-bought versions. Ideal for anyone looking for healthy recipes, quick high protein meals, or simple recipes to try, these homemade croutons are a must-have in your kitchen. Try them as recipes appetizers and snacks or add them to your list of quick and easy dinner recipes with ground beef—they go with everything!
Ingredients
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3 cups (1/2 pound) bread
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1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
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2 twists black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon dried herbs (rosemary, Italian seasoning, or other)
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1/4 teaspoon spices (garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or other)
Instructions
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Prep the Bread: Cut the bread into slices and remove the crust, especially if using sourdough or rustic loaves. Dice into bite-sized cubes (⅓-inch to ¾-inch).
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Preheat: Heat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
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Season: In a bowl, toss the bread cubes with olive oil, salt, black pepper, dried herbs, and spices. Mix until evenly coated.
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Air Fry: Add the seasoned bread cubes to the air fryer basket. Set temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 5 minutes. Shake the basket once around the 3-minute mark.
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Adjust if Needed: For extra crunchy croutons, continue to air fry in 2-minute increments, shaking the basket in between. Croutons are done when golden and crunchy.
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Cool: Let the croutons cool for a few minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
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Use any bread you have on hand—sourdough, baguette, or sandwich bread all work well.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature.
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You can adjust herbs and spices to match your meal—try curry powder, Italian seasoning, or chili flakes for variety.
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Great as a crunchy topping for soups, Caesar salad, or even mac and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 batch
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg