Easy Air Fryer Garlic Butter Croutons

Skip the bland store-bought croutons and make these crispy, buttery garlic croutons at home in under 10 minutes using your air fryer.

I LOVE my Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo. It's seriously one of my favorite kitchen tools, especially for RV living. When you're cooking in a small space, having one appliance that can do it all-pressure cook, air fry, steam, bake, broil, and more-is a total game changer. It saves space, cuts down on clutter, and allows me to create just about anything without hauling out a bunch of gear.

Homemade Croutons > Store-Bought

If you're anything like me, croutons can absolutely make or break a salad. I want them crispy on the outside, buttery on the inside, and packed with garlic flavor. The problem? Store-bought croutons are usually too hard and just plain bland.

Thankfully, making homemade croutons is incredibly simple, especially when you use an air fryer. This method gives you that perfect crunch without heating up your whole RV (or kitchen) with the oven.

These air fryer garlic butter croutons are done in about 10 minutes and are perfect for tossing on salads, soups, or even snacking straight from the basket (you've been warned).

Choosing the Best Bread

I like using sourdough, but French baguettes and ciabatta loaves also work beautifully. Their air pockets crisp up nicely, and the flavor holds its own after being tossed in garlic butter.

That said, just about any bread will work. Stale bread is ideal, but fresh bread can be dried out a bit on the counter first. Just avoid super dense loaves-they don't crisp as well.

Tip: This is a great way to use up stale bread, but if your bread isn't day-old, cube it and let it sit out on a baking sheet for an hour or so before air frying.

Let's Gather Up the Ingredients

Organizing all of your ingredients ahead of time not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures you have everything required to complete the dish successfully. You can find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

• A crusty loaf of bread - Sourdough, French, or ciabatta. Stale is best!

• Butter - A whole stick. Don't skimp.

• Olive oil - Helps the butter coat evenly and adds crispness.

• Fresh garlic - Sliced thin. Garlic powder works in a pinch.

• Salt + pepper

• Fresh parsley - Optional, but adds a pop of color and freshness.

Step By Step: How to Make Garlic Butter Croutons

The garlic butter is truly what takes these air-fried croutons over the top. And it's really easy to make.

1. Make the Garlic Butter

Slice 2-3 garlic cloves thin and add them to a small saucepan with a stick of butter and a splash of olive oil. Cook over medium-low heat until the garlic turns golden around the edges-then pull it off the heat immediately.

Tip: Garlic burns fast. Once it turns golden, strain it out quickly to avoid bitterness.

Strain the butter and save the crispy garlic chips. They make a fantastic garnish later.

2. Prep and Toss the Bread

Cut your bread into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl, pour the garlic butter over top, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until the cubes are evenly coated and glistening.

3. Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spread the cubes in a single layer in the basket (a little overlap is fine), and air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Cook time will vary slightly depending on your air fryer and how crispy you like them. I go for deep golden edges and a firm crunch.

Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before serving-hot croutons can burn the roof of your mouth fast.

Storing & Freezing

Let croutons cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

• Counter: Good for 2-3 days.

• Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to a month. Reheat at 400°F for 4-5 minutes directly from frozen.

Easy Variations

• Herb Croutons - Add fresh parsley, thyme, or dried Italian seasoning to the garlic butter.

• Cheesy Croutons - Toss in finely grated Parmesan, Asiago, or Romano.

• Make-Ahead Croutons - Make a double batch and freeze extras for later.

Tip: Use a Microplane to finely grate cheese so it sticks better.

More Ways to Use Homemade Croutons

Don't stop at salads! Try them…

• Over creamy soups like tomato basil or broccoli cheddar

• Crumbled onto casseroles before broiling

• As a topping for baked pasta dishes

• Blended into breadcrumbs for meatloaf, pork chops, or chicken tenders

• Mixed into biscuit or cornbread batter for extra crunch

• Sprinkled on Caesar Roasted Brussels Sprouts

FAQ

Why are my croutons soggy?
They were likely stored before they cooled completely. Warm croutons release steam, which causes moisture buildup.

How long do homemade croutons last?
Up to 1 week in an airtight container, but they're best the first couple of days.

Can I make these without an air fryer?
Yes! Bake them on a sheet pan at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

More Recipes to Try

Final Thoughts

These homemade garlic butter croutons are one of those little things that really elevate a meal. You can whip them up with just a few pantry staples, and they taste way better than anything you'll find in a bag.

Whether you're topping a salad, adding crunch to soup, or just snacking, I promise these will become a new favorite.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a review or snap a quick photo and tag me on Facebook. 

Every time you share one of my recipes, it helps me grow this blog-and I'm so grateful for your support.

As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours!