Bread crunch, this crisp and delicious snack, is the favorite of many people. If you can turn ordinary bread into golden, crispy and delicious bread crunch with rich floury aroma in just a few minutes, would you find it novel and interesting? Don't doubt it, this is the unique charm of the air fryer.
If you have been looking for a great way how to make croutons in air fryer, then take a look here. This cooking method not only saves time, but also ensures that the ideal crispy effect can be achieved every time without consuming too many calories. Whether you want to add a little crispy taste to Caesar salad, want a few more crunchy layers to creamy soup, or just want to taste a delicious snack, air fryer croutons are a great choice!
Why Making Croutons in Air Fryer Is Better?
Croutons are not only a great crispy partner for salads and soups, but also a choice for enhancing the flavor of various dishes. Traditionally, the oven has always been the main battlefield for baking croutons. But now, the emergence of air fryers has brought us all kinds of unexpected conveniences:
- Quick speed and high efficiency. Compared with waiting for the oven to preheat and baking for a long time, the air fryer can cook croutons crispy in just a few minutes, which is a good choice for temporary preparation.
- Uniform, crispy and delicious. The air fryer has a built-in cyclone circulation to ensure that each side is heated evenly, making it completely crispy inside and out, which is far beyond the reach of an oven.
- Light and healthy, low in calories. The air fryer requires very little oil for cooking, and only a little oil stain can meet the crispy and fragrant needs, making croutons a new choice for light and healthy.
- Simple and convenient, small size, and great performance. The air fryer preheats amazingly quickly, is easy to clean, and will not bring heat to the kitchen. It truly becomes a valuable companion during hot weather.
- Versatile. Air fryers are not limited to making bread cubes. Once you master the tricks, you can also cook a variety of snacks and staple foods besides homemade croutons in air fryer. It is a new favorite in the kitchen.
Prepare the Necessities and Ingredients
We believe you have been attracted by the benefits of making croutons in an air fryer, so let's pick up the spatula and gather the necessary ingredients and tools. The beauty of this air fryer croutons recipe is actually its simplicity and plainness. It doesn't need too much complexity. A few homely things are enough to start the crispy journey:
Ingredients list
- Bread. It doesn't matter whether it is white steamed buns or whole wheat bread, old-fashioned baguettes or fresh soft European bread, any kind of bread you like can be tried.
- Olive oil or butter. In order to make the croutons fragrant, we need a little oil to mix.
- Seasoning. According to personal taste, sprinkle some salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Italian spices, chili powder, in short, to satisfy your taste buds.
Tools are all available
- Air fryer. This expert is naturally the protagonist. If you don’t have an air fryer or the one you have at home is not easy to use, we strongly recommend the SCHWUA Air Fryer Oven. It has a 10L capacity that is enough for a big family, and its easy-to-operate smart touch interface makes even beginners turn into instant chefs.
- Mixer. Used for mixing bread cubes with oil and seasonings.
- Knife and cutting board. Cut the bread into even small cubes.
Steps to Make Croutons in Air Fryer
Okay, now that the materials and tools are ready, let's start making croutons in air fryer. Follow the steps below to ensure that you will be satisfied every time you make it.
1. Preparing the Bread
Whether it is freshly baked soft European bread or a slightly stale French baguette, both are excellent choices. Use a knife to cut the bread into small cubes about 1 inch square on a cutting board. Cutting evenly ensures uniform cooking and avoids the embarrassing problem of individual burnt or raw steamed bread.
2. Seasoning to enhance aroma
Put the cut bread cubes in a large bowl, drizzle some olive oil or butter, and gently mix them to make each piece evenly oiled. This not only adds a crispy aroma, but also helps the final crispy taste. Then sprinkle with classic salt, pepper and garlic powder for seasoning, or add Italian herbs, chili powder, etc. according to personal preference, and mix them however you like. Finally, stir again to make the seasoning fully penetrate every corner.
3. Preheating the air fryer
If your air fryer needs to be preheated, set the temperature to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. This will allow the bread cubes to heat up as soon as they are placed in the air fryer, making the beautiful image of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside even more perfect.
4. Starting cooking
The seasoned bread cubes should be neatly placed in the inner basket of the air fryer. Be careful not to overcrowd them to affect the hot air circulation. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may need to process them in batches. Set the timer for 5 minutes and let them simmer for a while.
After 5 minutes, open the air fryer basket and flip the bread cubes with a spoon or spatula. Flipping evenly is the key to ensuring that the overall heating level is uniform. Continue baking for 3-5 minutes and wait for the bread cubes to be golden and crispy.
5. Checking the doneness
In the end, you must always check the doneness of the bread cubes. They are ideally browned and crispy on all sides. If you feel it is not quite done, don't worry, you can extend the baking time by 1-2 minutes. When the color is right, take the bread cubes out of the fryer immediately, and let them cool naturally for a while. Note that they will become more crispy and delicious during this process!
Conclusion
In short, mastering the trick of how to make croutons in air fryer will allow you to make crispy and delicious food with less effort. With simple ingredients and a few steps, you can easily enhance the taste of the bread. Don't be fooled by the well-made but tasteless croutons in the store. Try the handmade flavor brought by the air fryer! Whether you are a senior chef or a cooking enthusiast, We believe this new way of making will definitely bring you a unique experience.
