If you love salads and soups, then you need to know how to make homemade croutons. It is super easy and worth the few minutes it takes to cut up the bread and toast it. Once you try these croutons, you will never go back to buying store-bought versions again!
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Homemade Croutons Video Recipe
Homemade Croutons Ingredients
When you make homemade croutons, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Bread slices - We have several bread recipes on the blog. So we use our homemade loaves of French, Italian, or no knead ciabatta bread, but you can use your favorite type of bread.
- Olive oil - You could use your preferred light tasting oil.
- Salt - You can skip or add as much as you like.
- Spices - You’ll need a combination of garlic powder, oregano, and dried basil.
How to make homemade croutons in air fryer
Here’s what you’ll need to do to make homemade croutons in the air fryer.
- First, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the slices of bread into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Next, mix the olive oil and herbs in a small bowl.
- When the spices are ready, toss the bread crumbs with the oil and herb mixture in a large bowl until well coated.
- Next, place the cubes into the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, toss them, and then cook for an additional minute.
- Finally, serve the croutons with your favorite soups or salad.
Making Croutons on the stove top
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make croutons on the stove top. To do this, follow all instructions to coat the croutons and then:
- First, heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Next, add in the oil coated bread cubes and saute the pieces.
- Finally, saute the breadcrumbs, turning frequently, until all sides turn a golden brown color.
Ways to use homemade croutons
When you make homemade croutons, you can use them with your favorite soups and salads. Some suggestions include:
- Add to a Caesar salad
- Toss with an Italian salad
- Add some crunch to tomato soup or veggie soup
- Toss them with your favorite salad or soup
Seasonings and Variations
Croutons are super easy to make at home, and you can tailor them to fit your needs. Here are a few variations:
- Use butter instead of oil
- For some heat, add in black or red pepper flakes
- Use southwest seasonings to make a spicy crouton, perfect for a southwest style soup or salad
How to store salad croutons
Homemade croutons are often best served fresh, but you can store them for a few days if you want to make them ahead.
To store, first allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, add them to an airtight container. You can then store them on the counter for 4 to 5 days.
We recommend not freezing them since they will get a bit mushy when defrosted.
Pro Tips to make the best croutons ever
Here are some easy to follow tips when making the best croutons ever:
- Allow the croutons to cool completely before storing.
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer so it is hot when you add them to the basket.
- When making the croutons, make sure to toss them before the final minute of cooking to help ensure they get toasted on all sides.
Other great air fryer recipes to try
Air fryer croutons are great tasting and easy. If you love easy recipes made in the air fryer, then make sure to check out these other great treats:
- Air Fryer Pickles
- Zucchini Fritters
- Air Fryer Okra
- Broccoli Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Jalapeno Poppers
- Sweet Potatoes Air Fryer
More Bread Recipes
- No-Knead Ciabatta Berad
- Homemade Italian Bread
- French Baguette
- Mexican Bolillo Bread
- Cheese Garlic Bread
- Bruschetta
- Crostini
- Garic Naan
Let us know what you think
If you make this delicious crouton recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!
Homemade Croutons Recipe
If you love salads and soups, then you need to know how to make homemade croutons. It is super easy and worth the few minutes it takes to cut up the bread and toast it. Once you try these croutons, you will never go back to buying store-bought versions again!
Ingredients
- Our Homemade Italian Bread or store bought bread (1/2 loaf) cut into cubes
- Olive oil 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
- Oregano ½ tsp
- Dried basil ½ tsp
Instructions
How to make homemade croutons in air fryer
Here’s what you’ll need to do to make homemade croutons in the air fryer.
- First, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the slices of bread into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Next, mix the olive oil and herbs in a small bowl.
- When the spices are ready, toss the bread crumbs with the oil and herb mixture in a large bowl until well coated.
- Next, place the cubes into the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, toss them, and then cook for an additional minute.
- Finally, serve the croutons with your favorite soups or salad.
Making Croutons on the stove top
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make croutons on the stove top. To do this, follow all instructions to coat the croutons and then:
- First, heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Next, add in the oil coated bread cubes and saute the pieces.
- Finally, saute the breadcrumbs, turning frequently, until all sides turn a golden brown color.
Notes
Recommended Products
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McCormick Basil Leaves (Dried Basil), 5 oz -
McCormick Oregano Leaves (2.12 ounce) -
Bertolli 100% Pure Olive Oil Mild Taste -
McCormick Classic Garlic Powder, Value Size, 8.75 Oz -
Morton Salt Iodized Sea Salt, 26 oz, 2 pk -
Gourmia GAF400 Electric Multipurpose Classic Rapid Air Fryer with Dual Dial Timer & Temperature Controls, 10 Cup/4.5 Qt. Capacity, 1230W, Black -
GoWISE USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer and 50 Recipes for your Air Fryer Book (Black) -
Mealthy CrispLid for Pressure Cooker - Turns your Pressure Cooker into an Air Fryer - Air fry, Crisp or Broil fits 6 & 8 Q Pot Basket, Trivet, Silicone Mat, Tongs plus Instant access Free Recipe App -
Instant™ Vortex™ 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air Fryer with Roast, Broil, Bake, and Reheat functions -
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid 6 in 1, No Pressure Cooking Functionality, 6 Qt, 1500 W -
Instant Vortex Plus 10 Quart Air Fryer, Rotisserie and Convection Oven, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate and Warm, 1500W, Stainless Steel and Black