Air fryer croutons (10 min): recipes, times & weights – Neary

Sep 16, 2025Lou0 comments

Air Fryer • Anti-waste • Express snack

Air fryer croutons (10 min): recipes, times & weights

Homemade Golden and Crispy Air Fryer Croutons — Neary

Do you dream of golden, crispy and fragrant croutons 🥗 to boost your salads, soups or pokebowl? With the air fryer , you can recycle stale bread into perfect homemade croutons in less than 10 minutes 🔥. Zero waste, ultra-fast, and above all… much better than industrial bags! Here, discover the simple method, cooking times according to quantity, tips for success every time and variations for all tastes 🤩.

By Lou
Neary Kitchen Tested • Updated: September 16, 2025 • Slug: croutons-maison-air-fryer-temps

✅ Express response

Stale bread (100 g) Air Fryer 200 °C • 6–8 min • turn halfway through cooking

Fresh bread (100 g) 200 °C • 7–9 min (keep an eye on it, take it out as soon as it turns golden)

Large quantity (200–250 g) 200 °C • 8–10 min • spread well, stir 2×

Sandwich/soft bread 190°C • 5–7 min • watch for browning

Anti-waste tip ♻️: Stale bread is perfect for homemade croutons! The drier it is, the crispier it becomes 💡. You can also use whole-grain bread, cereal bread, or even sandwich bread for a change. Croutons can be stored for 1 week in an airtight container.

Time, temperature & weight of air fryer croutons

Type of bread	Weight	Temperature	Time	Oil	Trick
Stale baguette bread	100 g	200°C	6–8 min	1 tbsp olive oil	Turn over halfway through cooking
Fresh bread	100 g	200°C	7–9 min	1.5 tbsp oil	Monitor the coloring carefully
soft bread	50–100 g	190°C	5–7 min	1 tbsp. neutral oil	Stir once
Large quantity	200–250 g	200°C	8–10 min	2–3 tbsp. oil	Spread well, stir 2×

How to Make Homemade Croutons in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (for maximum crispiness!).
Cut the bread into regular cubes (1–2 cm). No need to remove the crust, it's what gives it flavor 🤩.
Mix the cubes in a salad bowl with 1 tbsp of olive oil (or neutral), a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, herbs according to your taste. You can add smoked paprika or grated parmesan cheese for ultra-gourmet croutons 🧀.
Arrange the croutons in the basket in a single layer . They will cook better and brown evenly.
Cook for 6–8 min (see table above ), shaking or stirring halfway through. Watch for browning after 5 minutes!
Let cool on a wire rack. The croutons will become even crispier as they cool.

Gourmet tip 😋: for garlic croutons like Provençal croutons, rub the bread cubes with a clove of garlic before adding the oil, or sprinkle with herbes de Provence before cooking.

FAQ — Homemade Air Fryer Croutons

Which bread to choose?

Anything works: baguette, wholemeal bread, seeded bread, sandwich bread... Stale bread makes ultra-crispy croutons and absorbs less oil!

Can you make croutons without oil?

Yes, you can, but they will be less golden and less melting. A drizzle of olive oil (or neutral oil) is enough to boost the taste and texture 🫒.

How long do homemade croutons keep?

1 week in an airtight container away from moisture. Let them cool completely before sealing them to keep them crispy.

Any ideas for using my croutons?

Caesar salads, soups, veloutés, gazpacho, gratins, vegetable tartares… Or even as a topping on a pan of roasted vegetables. Let your creativity run wild 🥗!

Why are croutons soft?

Either they didn't bake enough, or the bread was too fresh or too tightly packed in the basket. Place them on a wire rack to cool and bake for another 1–2 minutes if necessary 🔥.

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