Air Fryer Sourdough Croutons (Printer View)

Golden sourdough bites with garlic and herbs, crisped to perfection using an air fryer.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 4 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, preferably day-old (approximately 200 g)

→ Seasoning

02 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, or blend)
05 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)

# Method steps:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 2-3 minutes.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried herbs, salt, and pepper.
03 - Add the sourdough cubes to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
04 - Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary.
05 - Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the croutons are golden and crisp.
06 - Transfer to a bowl and toss with fresh parsley if using. Allow to cool before serving or storing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Your salads and soups suddenly taste like you hired a personal chef, yet it takes barely longer than boiling water.
  • Air frying means no oil splatter on your stovetop, just pure crispy satisfaction without the cleanup guilt.
  • Day-old bread transforms into something so crave-worthy you'll find yourself eating them straight from the cooling bowl.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway shake—I learned this the hard way when the bottom layer came out slightly darker than the top, and now I set a timer so I don't forget.
  • The air fryer temperature matters more than you'd think; anything below 370°F takes forever and leaves them slightly soft inside, while anything above 385°F can toast them too quickly before the insides dry out.
03 -
  • Invest in a quality air fryer basket liner or a small perforated tray—it prevents any tiny seasoned oil drips from hitting the heating element and creating smoke.
  • If you're doubling the recipe, resist cooking both batches simultaneously in separate baskets if your air fryer allows it; sequential batches cook more evenly because you're not competing for hot air circulation.
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