How to Make Vegan Air Fryer Croutons (3 Oil-Free Recipes) - Vegan with Gusto (2024)

Learnhow to make vegan air fryer croutonswith3 oil-free recipesand 1 easy method that takes10 minutesfor healthy, crispy croutons.

I've been convinced that the air fryer is the best method for making crispy, oil-free tofu and, more recently, vegan cauliflower bites. But it took me nearly a year of playing and a tragic event when I turned my back to the oven and burned my croutons to a crisp before it occurred to me that homemade air fryer croutons take minutes. So simple. Why didn't I think of this earlier?

⭐ My Crouton-Making Backstory

I tried making oil-free croutons by putting fresh bread cubes and seasonings in an airtight container for several hours and shaking them periodically. The croutons tasted ok, but I knew there was more to explore. Then, I used a trick to roast veggies - tossing with a wet ingredient and seasonings. That was my crouton game-changer.

So, what wet ingredient worked best? I tried three, with different densities, and built seasonings around each for variety. Each has pros and cons, which I'll share below.

No air fryer? No worries, I've got tips for baking croutons in the oven.

📋 Ingredients and Notes

Bread cubes. I've used sourdough bread and homemade whole wheat bread for my testing. Ok, once I use 2 leftover homemade hamburger buns. Use any cubed bread, including gluten-free varieties. Denser bread, like French bread or day-old bread, works well for croutons.

Aquafaba. For my first recipe, I used aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Use the liquid from a can of white beans as a substitute. It's a great way to moisten croutons and browns nicely. The con is that you need to drain a can of chickpeas unless you collect it.

Balsamic and Mustard. Recipe 2 includes a mix of balsamic vinegar and prepared mustard. I used Dijon, but any mustard will work. Mix them before adding them to the bread cubes. The flavor compliments Italian seasonings like basil, thyme, and rosemary.

Vegetable broth. Recipe 3 uses 2 tablespoons of vegetable broth. I mixed it with water and ½ a teaspoon of powdered broth. Vegetable broth is thinner than aquafaba, so it will readily absorb into the bread. Be quick about tossing it so it doesn't soak some bread cubes while leaving the other dry.

Herbs and spices. The recipe card lists suggested herbs and spices, but you can take croutons anywhere.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

📖 Recipe Variations

During my oil-free crouton pursuit, I used some simple ingredients you might consider. Add 2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast or a tablespoon of vegan parmesan cheese for cheesy flavor. This works well with aquafaba and vegetable broth.

Balsamic and mustard are a great base for black pepper croutons and are delicious with a clove (or 2) of fresh pressed garlic for amazing garlic croutons.

⏲️ How to Make Croutons in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Place 3 cups of bread cubes in a large mixing bowl or bag with the spices and 2 tablespoons of the wet ingredient.

See Also

Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe Homemade Sweet Pickles RecipeAir Fryer Garlic Bread - Air Fryer RecipesFocaccia - Focaccia Bread - Focaccia Recipe - Rasa MalaysiaThe BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts!

Step 2: Cover the bowl and shake the ingredients until they are well mixed.

Step 3: Place the croutons in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Step 4: Air fry at 400 F (200 C) for 2 minutes. Shake the croutons and air fry for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

How to Bake Croutons in the Oven

• Tips for Baking Croutons
• Allow 15-20 minutes to bake croutons at 375 F (190 C). Cooking time depends on the true temperature of your oven.
• Baking croutons requires a little diligence because they can quickly burn if you forget them. I usually set a time on my phone, which helps a lot.
• Toss them often and turn the baking sheet halfway through.

🔪 Pro Tips

• Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into 1-inch cubes.
• Premix the spices in a small dish so you can quickly add it to the bread cubes. This also ensures a more even distribution of flavors.
• Toss the croutons while the air fryer preheats so the moisture doesn't have enough time to soak through the bread.
• The first time you make air fryer croutons, check the 1-2 minutes. Air fryers vary; you'll soon know the perfect timing.
• You may need to adjust the amount of liquid you add depending on the kind of bread you use. For less dense bread, softer bread, like white bread, start with 1 tablespoon of vegetable broth (or aquafaba or balsamic/mustard) and quickly toss it. Add more if needed.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

Salads. Try a fresh salad with crunchy croutons with a delicious plant-based dressing like quick maple and mustard dressing, creamy cashew ranch with fresh herbs, or avocado green goddess salad dressing.

Soups. Croutons make your favorite soups even better. Try them on creamy leek and potato, asparagus soup, or Italian white bean soup.

Casseroles. Tossed croutons over leftover vegan tuna and mushroom casserole was a big hit in our house.

💭 Frequently Asked Questions

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