December 8, 2021

Easy Homemade Air Fryer Gluten-Free Croutons

Name: Easy Homemade Air Fryer Gluten-Free Croutons
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 12 min
Ingredients: 3 slices gluten-free bread; 2 tbsp extra light olive oil; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp parsley; 1 pinch salt; 1 pinch black pepper

Share with friends!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Croutons in a bowl with a caesar salad in the background

One of the things that I wouldn’t have guessed I’d miss after avoiding gluten is croutons. When I used to eat gluten, I often overlooked croutons because my eyes and stomach were typically focused on main dishes like pasta and desserts like cake. After eating many sad, one-note salads, I realized the one thing that I was unexpectedly craving – the crouton. Croutons really are an underrated addition to salads. They add so much extra texture and change the flavor profile of a salad. You’re going to love how tasty this recipe is and how quick and easy it is to prepare. You can also make them ahead and store them in an air-tight container for 2-3 days.

While the exact origins of the crouton aren’t clear, many believe that they came from France in the 17th century. The word crouton originates from the French word croûton which is a diminutive of croûte meaning crust. After eating a crunchy crouton after a full year without them, it made the meaning of the word very clear. For this recipe, you can use any type of crusty bread. You could use bread from a homemade loaf or store bought bread. I love this recipe because it is a great way to use up bread that is about to go bad or is getting stale. Today, I am using Aldi’s Wide Pan Gluten Free Whole Grain bread. Traditionally, croutons are made from baguettes.

For this recipe, I decided to use an air-fryer. Lately, I’ve been OBSESSED with using the air fryer. It’s so convenient because it takes less time in the oven and in my opinion gives better results. The model I used for this recipe is part of the Instant Pot series. I have the Duo Crisp and 8-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker. It’s a great appliance and has been a worthwhile investment because I use it ALL the time. It’s awesome that it works as an air fryer and a pressure cooker. Check out our Pot in Pot White Rice Recipe that I made with the pressure cooker functionality.

Use these croutons for:

Salads – pairs well with caesar salad
Soups – a great topping for tomato soup
Stuffing – perfect addition for the holidays

The croutons that we are making today are herby, savory, and crunchy.

To make these croutons, you’ll need three main ingredients:

Bread – Use store bought or homemade bread
Oil – Use an oil with a higher smoke point
Seasoning – Feel free to improvise and use what you have on hand

How to Prepare

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees. Depending on your model, it may take longer for it to get to this temperature. Make sure to follow your manufacturer’s guide to ensure you operate your air fryer safely.

Stack your bread on top of each other and cut into bite sized pieces (approximately 1 inch by 1 inch pieces).

Three slices of bread stacked on top of each other on a cutting board

Bread cut into 1 inch pieces on cutting board

In a medium sized bowl, add the spices and mix together. Then add in your cut up bread and olive oil and toss lightly with tongs so that the croutons are coated evenly.

Medium sized metal bowl with bread pieces coated with olive oil and seasonings

Once the air fryer has reached 375 degrees, add in the pieces of bread and air fry for 12 minutes. This time may differ depending on the model of your air fryer and how you like your croutons. If you want them to be crunchier, you can keep them in the air fryer longer.

Remove from the air fryer and let them cool. Enjoy them as a topping for salads and soups or for dishes like stuffing and casseroles or even eat them as a snack!