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.