Bread is Irelands most wasted food with 40% of households saying old bread makes it way to the bin. There are a few nifty thrifty ways to use up old bread and give it a new lease of life. There is “Less Waste and More Taste” with these homemade croutons in 3 different flavours (herb, chilli and curry) that go deliciously well with soup in winter and salads in the summer.
I joined the air fryer community a few months ago and I have to say making a batch of croutons in the air fryer with old cubed bread is a cinch and very satisfying. Raid the spice rack and add some exciting flavours while you’re at it. If you don’t have an air fryer just toast the bread in the oven.
Tip: Old bread works best for croutons. Cut the pieces of bread into roughly the same sized cubes for even cooking.
My young kids adore these with their soup…and we munch and crunch on them chat about which flavour we like best.
Lou 🙂
Ingredients: makes 3 different flavours and 3 small bowls
- 6 slices old bread – white slice pan/ sour dough/ batch loaf/ GF whatever you have
- 1-2 tsp dried mixed herbs
- 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
- 1-2 tsp curry powder
- cooking oil
- salt and pepper optional
Method:
- For the herby croutons: Slice and cube 2 slices of bread and add them to a mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle in the dried mixed herbs and mix, add a drizzle of oil to coat season with a small pinch of salt and pepper if you wish. Toss the croutons to coat in the oil.
- Pour the cubed bread into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 180ºC for 8-10 minutes shaking half way through.
- You can toast the croutons in the oven -Preheat your oven 180ºC, put the bread cubes on a baking tray and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes, check and shake half way through.
- The croutons should be evenly toasted and brown all over.
For chilli croutons: Repeat the method above but for step 2 instead of dried mixed herbs add paprika and chilli flakes.
For curry croutons: Repeat the method above but for step 2 instead of dried mixed herbs add curry powder.
