Royalty Fast Food

Croutons, those crispy, seasoned bread cubes that add a delightful crunch to salads, soups, and more, are a kitchen staple for many. Traditionally, croutons are made by oven-baking or pan-frying bread cubes until golden brown and crispy. However, with the rise in popularity of air fryers, making croutons has become quicker, easier, and arguably tastier.

What Are Air Fryer Croutons?

Air fryer croutons are a healthier alternative to traditional croutons since they require little to no oil for cooking. These crunchy nuggets of flavor are made by tossing bread cubes with seasonings of your choice and then air frying them until perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cubed bread (such as French or Italian bread)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
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2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread, olive oil, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat the bread evenly with the seasonings and oil.
3. Place the seasoned bread cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
4. Air fry the croutons at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.
5. Check the croutons after 5 minutes; if they’re golden brown and crispy, they’re ready. If not, continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning.
6. Once the croutons are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before using them to top salads or soups, or enjoy them as a crunchy snack.
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Tips

1. Bread Consistency: Use day-old bread or slightly stale bread for better texture.
2. Seasoning Distribution: Ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed among the bread cubes for consistent flavor.
3. Monitoring Cooking Time: Monitor the croutons as they cook to prevent burning. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your bread cubes and the efficiency of your air fryer.