This post may include affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here. Thanks for the support!
Versatile, crunchy, and so easy to make- these air fryer croutons are exactly what you need to make your soups and salads more fun to eat! With just 10 minutes and simple vegan ingredients, you’ll have a flavorful side that is also extremely healthy.
Once I came upon how to make croutons in the air fryer, I could never go back to the oven method.
It is faster and more efficient, and the results are just as crunchy and delicious if not better.
The best part? These vegan homemade croutons require minimal effort and just a spec of oil, making them a healthier option than the store-bought ones.
Whether you’re hunting for an ideal topping for your salads, soups, or breakfast bowls, or simply want something for casual snacking, this recipe vegan croutons are the way to go.
Get ready to indulge in golden and crispy goodness!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Quick & Easy: With just a few simple ingredients, you can make crispy croutons in 10 minutes. The air fryer does all the work!
- Healthy Option: These croutons are made with minimal oil and are a great alternative to deep-fried options.
- Customizable Flavors: You can easily adjust the seasonings to fit your taste, such as fresh herbs, ginger, and spices- anything goes!
- Perfect for Leftover Bread: This is a fantastic way to use up any leftover bread, turning it into something delicious and crunchy.
- Multifaceted: Whether you want to top a salad, add crunch to your soup, or indulge it as a snack, these homemade croutons made in the air fryer fit any occasion.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Croutons
Bread: Use any type of bread you have—sourdough, baguette, whole wheat, or even gluten-free bread. Just make sure it’s a bit stale for the best texture. My preferred choice is whole-wheat bread.
Olive Oil: A light drizzle of olive oil helps achieve that crispy texture. You can also use cooking spray as well.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper make up my go-to seasonings for recipe vegan croutons.
How to Make Croutons in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Cut your bread into cubes—aim for 1-inch pieces for the perfect crunch. If your bread is too fresh, leave it out for a few hours or overnight to dry out a little. Drier bread helps the croutons become extra crispy in the air fryer.
Step 2: Season the Croutons
Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil, sprinkle garlic powder, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper over the bread cubes, and toss. Make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This will ensure that the croutons get crispy right from the start.
Step 4: Air Fry the Croutons
Place the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and don’t overcrowd it to cook the bread evenly. Air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy!
Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute. They’ll get even crispier as they cool down. Now, your homemade croutons air fryer are ready to be sprinkled over salads, and soups, or enjoyed as a tasty snack.
Oven Method (optional):
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the bread cubes as instructed above—drizzle with olive oil and season with your favorite spices.
- Spread the bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t overcrowded, as this will prevent them from getting crispy.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, tossing them halfway through, until they’re golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them towards the end to prevent burning.
- Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before using.
The oven-baked croutons are just as crispy and flavorful as the air fryer version, but it will take a bit longer, and you’ll need to monitor them closely to get that perfect crunch.
Tips & Variations
Extra Crunch: For croutons with extra crunch, leave them in the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes but keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn.
Herb-Flavored Croutons: Try adding fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil for a burst of aromatic flavor.
Cheesy Croutons: If you want a cheesy flavor, sprinkle in some nutritional yeast before air frying. This adds a savory, umami flavor to the croutons.
Serving Options
In salads: Air fryer croutons are a great addition to any salad. Whether it’s a simple green salad or a vegan Caesar salad, they add the perfect crunch.
With soup: They’re a classic addition to soups! Add them to your favorite tomato soup, potato mushroom soup, or creamy broccoli almond soup for a satisfying crunch in between.
As a snack: Enjoy these croutons on their own! Pair them with a vegan dip like hummus, tater tot sauce, or guacamole for a healthy snack.
In breakfast bowls: Add croutons to vegan Buddha bowls, grain bowls, or cottage cheese bowls to give them an extra crunch. They pair well with roasted veggies (just like cabbage carrot stir-fry) and tahini dressing.
How to Store
In the fridge: Store your air fryer croutons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay nice and crunchy for a few days.
In the freezer: You can freeze your homemade croutons for up to 2 months. Simply place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Reheating: To restore the crunchiness, just pop the croutons back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or bake them in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
Meal prep: Coat the bread with seasonings, and store them in an air-tight container before air frying. Make a large batch and enjoy them for the whole week.
FAQs
Can I use any type of bread for air fryer croutons?
Yes! You can use any bread you like, but drier, slightly stale bread works best. Sourdough, baguette, whole wheat, and even gluten-free bread are all great options.
Can I make air fryer croutons without oil?
Yes, absolutely! Just skip the oil and instead use a light spritz of water or vegetable broth to coat the bread cubes. You will not get the richness that the oil provides but they will still end up nice and crispy.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Please rate and comment if you make these air fryer croutons so I know how much you like them.
Easy And Crunchy Air Fryer Croutons (Vegan!)
Ingredients
- 4 slices Bread of your choice cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Red Chili Flakes
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper Powder
Instructions
- Cut your bread into cubes—aim for 1-inch pieces for the perfect crunch. If your bread is too fresh, leave it out for a few hours or overnight to dry out a little. Drier bread helps the croutons become extra crispy in the air fryer.
- Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil, sprinkle garlic powder, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper over the bread cubes, and toss. Make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This will ensure that the croutons get crispy right from the start.
- Place the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and don't overcrowd it to cook the bread evenly. Air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time.
- Once the croutons are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute. They’ll get even crispier as they cool down. Now, your homemade croutons air fryer are ready to be sprinkled over salads, and soups, or enjoyed as a tasty snack.
- The oven-baked croutons are just as crispy and flavorful as the air fryer version, but it will take a bit longer, and you'll need to monitor them closely to get that perfect crunch.
Oven Method (optional):
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).Prepare the bread cubes as instructed above—drizzle with olive oil and season with your favorite spices.
- Spread the bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t overcrowded, as this will prevent them from getting crispy.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, tossing them halfway through, until they’re golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them towards the end to prevent burning.
- Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before using.
Notes
- Extra Crunch: For croutons with extra crunch, leave them in the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes but keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn.
- Herb-Flavored Croutons: Try adding fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil for a burst of aromatic flavor.
- Cheesy Croutons: If you want a cheesy flavor, sprinkle in some nutritional yeast before air frying. This adds a savory, umami flavor to the croutons.