Ingredients and preparation
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (such as oregano, basil, or thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor
Preparation:
- Choose the right bread: For the best croutons, use a sturdy, day-old bread like a French baguette, sourdough, or ciabatta. The slightly stale texture helps the bread hold up during cooking and absorb the seasoning without becoming soggy.
- Cut the bread: Slice the bread into 1-inch cubes. Try to keep the pieces uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- Season the bread: In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning. If you’re using Parmesan cheese, add it at this stage for a cheesy, savory twist.
Cooking instructions
Cooking instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheating ensures that the croutons cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior without drying out too much on the inside.
- Arrange the bread cubes: Place the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking. If necessary, cook the croutons in batches to ensure they all get crispy.
- Cook the croutons: Air fry the bread cubes for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary depending on the size of the bread cubes and the specific air fryer model. The croutons are ready when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool the croutons: Once the croutons are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. This helps them maintain their crispiness. If you cooked them in batches, repeat the process with the remaining bread cubes.
Tips for perfect croutons
Tips for perfect croutons:
- Use day-old bread: Fresh bread can be too soft and may not crisp up as well in the air fryer. Day-old bread has a firmer texture, which helps it hold its shape and absorb the seasoning without becoming soggy. If your bread is too fresh, you can dry it out slightly by leaving it uncovered for a few hours or toasting it lightly in the oven before cutting it into cubes.
- Don’t skimp on the oil: Olive oil is key to achieving that golden, crispy exterior. Make sure each bread cube is evenly coated with oil, but avoid drenching them. Too much oil can make the croutons greasy, while too little can result in dry, unevenly cooked croutons.
- Season generously: Croutons are all about flavor, so don’t be afraid to season them well. Garlic powder, dried herbs, and salt are classic choices, but you can get creative with your seasonings. Try adding smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat. If you’re using Parmesan cheese, make sure to toss it with the bread cubes before air frying so it melts and crisps up beautifully.
- Shake the basket: To ensure even cooking, shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time. This helps the croutons brown evenly on all sides and prevents any pieces from sticking together. If you’re cooking in batches, make sure to shake the basket for each batch.
- Watch the cooking time: Air fryers can vary in power, so keep a close eye on your croutons as they cook. They can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of minutes. Start checking them around the 5-minute mark, and adjust the cooking time as needed based on the size of your bread cubes and your air fryer’s performance.
- Cool completely before storing: If you’re making croutons ahead of time, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This prevents any residual heat from creating moisture, which can make the croutons soggy. Properly stored, homemade croutons can last for up to a week at room temperature.
- Re-crisp if needed: If your croutons lose their crunch after a few days, you can easily re-crisp them by popping them back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 350°F (175°C). This will bring them back to their crispy, crunchy glory.