Double-Cheese Air Fryer Croutons
These double-cheese air fryer croutons are so easy to make and add crunch, savory flavor, and a little character to soups and salads. They’re also a great way to use up leftover or stale sourdough.
I developed them to top my Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup. I had some Gouda left over and thought they would be perfect combined with a bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The double cheese gives the crouton so much more flavor …..and they’re great for snacking on too.
This recipe has been kitchen-tested to ensure consistent, reliable results.
Good to Know
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 4
Equipment Needed: Air fryer, cheese grater
Quick Tip: Save the crusts! Dry the removed crusts and process them into breadcrumbs.
Texture/Flavor Profile: Crisp, crunchy sourdough with melted Gouda and a savory Parmesan finish.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Croutons
- Double-cheese flavor: Gouda and Parmesan give every crunchy bite a rich, savory flavor.
- Use fresh or stale bread: Use fresh sourdough or give those leftover slices a delicious second life.
- Crispy without lots of oil: The air fryer crisps the bread with just 4 teaspoons of olive oil
- Easy to make, easy to snack on: A few simple ingredients turn into a crunchy topping for soups and salads, or a snack straight from the bowl.
Ingredients
Refer to the printable recipe card below for ingredient quantities and detailed instructions.
- Sourdough bread: Buy unsliced sourdough as you’ll be cutting thick slices yourself.
- Gouda: Finely grate it, so it melts easier
- Parmesan: Finely grated
How To Make Double Cheese Air Fryer Croutons
Refer to the printable recipe card below for ingredient quantities and detailed instructions.
1. Remove the crusts and cut the sourdough into 1-inch cubes.
2. Toss the bread with olive oil and salt.
3. Arrange the cubes in a single layer and air-fry at 275°F for 10 minutes
4. Once the cubes are crisp, sprinkle with half of the Gouda-Parmesan blend.
5. Air-fry at 325°F for 5 minutes; gently turn the cubes, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese
6. Air-fry for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden
Substitutions & Variations
- Leave the crusts on: For a more rustic look, leave the crusts on and measure 4 cups of cubes. The 147 g measurement comes from my crustless batch.
- Try another loaf: A sturdy white loaf or French bread is a good substitute if that is what you have.
- Change the seasoning: Try a little freshly ground black pepper, cayenne, or dried herbs with the salt.
- Cheese substitutions: Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère in place of the Gouda, keeping the Parmesan for its savory flavor.
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Expert Tips
- For less cleanup: If your air fryer’s manufacturer permits it, add a parchment liner beneath the crisped bread before the cheese stage to catch melted cheese. Keep it secured beneath the food, and never preheat with loose parchment.
- Fresh or stale bread both work: The initial air-frying stage brings either to the same crisp texture before the cheese goes on. Air-fry at 275°F for about 10 minutes, checking that the cubes are crisp before moving to the cheese stage.
- Leave space between the bread cubes during the initial air-frying stage so air can circulate and crisp them evenly. Once crisp, move them closer together before sprinkling on the cheese. This keeps more cheese on the bread instead of letting it fall to the bottom of the basket
Recipe Testing Notes (What Worked Best)
- I first tried Parmesan on its own, but it didn’t stick to the bread cubes; most of it fell into the bottom of the basket. Adding Gouda gave the Parmesan a melted layer to cling to. The blend also gave me the stronger cheese flavor I was looking for.
- Keep the Gouda cold: Once the grated Gouda warmed up, it clumped and became harder to sprinkle evenly over the bread cubes. Grating it and keeping it chilled until needed made it easier to distribute.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make ahead: Grate the cheeses and store them in the refrigerator, covered. Cut the bread into cubes and store it in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days.
Storage: Store finished croutons in an airtight container and use within 5 days.
Air Fryer Croutons FAQs
Sourdough is my go-to, but French bread, Italian bread, or a sturdy sandwich loaf should work, too. Fresh or slightly stale bread both work well. Cut it into even, 1-inch cubes and check for crispness before adding the cheese. Smaller cubes or thinner slices will need less cooking time.
Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère in place of the Gouda, keeping the Parmesan for that extra punch of savory flavor. Choose a cheese that melts well and grate it finely. I tested this recipe with Gouda and Parmesan, so other combinations may melt and brown a little differently.
Delicious Starts Here
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a rating and a comment below; your feedback helps other home cooks decide if this recipe is right for them. And if you share it on Instagram, tag me @aspicedlifeblog so I can see your beautiful creations.🧡
Double-Cheese Air Fryer Croutons
Ingredients
- Loaf of sourdough bread unsliced
- 4 teaspoons olive oil divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons finely grated Gouda cheese
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan finely grated
Instructions
- Depending on the loaf size, cut 3 to 5 (1-inch) thick slices of sourdough bread. Remove the crusts and cut into 1-inch cubes to measure 4 cups (about 147g).
- Place the cubes in a large bowl or zippered freezer bag. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Gently toss with a silicone spatula or seal and shake the bag. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and toss or shake again.
- Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air-fryer basket, leaving space between them. Work in batches, if needed.
- Set the air fryer to 275°F and air-fry for 10 minutes, until crisp.
- Combine the grated Gouda and Parmesan. Position the cubes closer together in the air fryer and sprinkle half of the cheese blend evenly over the bread, reserving the remainder.
- Increase the temperature to 325°F and air-fry for 5 minutes. Gently turn the cubes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Cook for approximately 5 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Let cool slightly, then add to soup or salad, or enjoy as a snack.
Notes:
Nutrition
These Double-Cheese Air Fryer croutons are a delicious, crunchy topping for my Creamy Split Pea Soup or Caesar Salad, if you can resist snacking on them first!
