Air Fryer Sourdough Croutons (Printable version)

Golden sourdough cubes infused with garlic and herbs, crisped to perfection in an air fryer.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread

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

→ 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 garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Set air fryer to 375°F and allow to preheat for 2-3 minutes.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Add sourdough cubes to the seasoning mixture and toss thoroughly until evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
04 - Distribute bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
05 - Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until croutons are golden and crisp.
06 - Transfer croutons to a serving bowl and toss with fresh parsley if desired. Allow to cool completely before serving or storing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Day-old sourdough transforms into something crispy and addictive instead of ending up in the compost bin.
  • The garlic and herbs actually infuse into the bread rather than just sitting on top, giving you a real flavor experience with every bite.
  • Eight minutes in the air fryer beats stovetop frying by a mile—no oil splatters, no babysitting, just set and shake.
02 -
  • Skipping the preheat or ignoring the halfway shake are the two fastest ways to end up with uneven croutons—some burnt, some still chewy.
  • The croutons continue to crisp as they cool, so pull them out when they look just shy of perfect golden brown.
03 -
  • If you want extra savory depth, toss a tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan into the oil mixture before coating—it'll crisp up beautifully and add umami.
  • Don't be afraid to cut your bread cubes slightly uneven; the irregular edges get extra crispy and are honestly the best part.
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