Tossed with crisp Romaine hearts, quick air-fried croutons, and garnished with shaved Parmesan and cracked pepper, this Creamy Caesar Salad is rich, tangy, and full of texture. Whether you’re serving it as a side or adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for a hearty main, this easy salad recipe is your new go-to.
Pair this Caesar salad with a Flattened Air Fryer Chicken Breast for one quick and easy dinner idea.
Why You Will Love This Caesar Salad Recipe
- Rich and Flavorful Dressing: The homemade creamy Caesar dressing is tangy, garlicky, and perfectly savory. It’s far better than bottled salad dressing.
- Crispy Homemade Croutons: Air-fried in just minutes, these golden cubes of bread add amazing crunch and texture.
- Fresh, Crisp Greens: Romaine hearts are the perfect base for holding up against the thick dressing, without wilting, making this Creamy Caesar Salad perfect for meal prepping.
- Customizable Meal Option: Add grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or even air-fried tofu to turn simple salad into a protein-packed main course.
- Quick and Easy: From croutons to dressing, everything comes together in less than 20 minutes, with no oven needed.
Ingredients
- Romaine Hearts: Substitute with chopped kale, butter lettuce, or a mix of greens.
- Crusty Bread: Use sourdough, whole grain, or even a gluten-free baguette. For ease, use prepared croutons.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil or melted butter can be used instead.
- Mayonnaise: Greek yogurt or sour cream can replace mayo, for a lighter Caesar dressing.
- Anchovy Paste: Crush a two to three anchovies in oil instead, or swap with a splash of fish sauce. Omit, if preferred.
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano are great alternatives.
- Lemon Juice + Zest: White wine vinegar can work in a pinch, though the zest adds extra freshness.
- Dijon Mustard: Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard will also do the trick.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A few drops of soy sauce or tamari can sub in, though the flavor will vary slightly.
How to Prepare Creamy Caesar Salad
- In a jar or bowl, combine all the ingredients for the creamy Caesar dressing. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Cut bread into cubes and place in a bowl. Toss with olive oil and garlic powder, until fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Add the bread cubes and air fry for 2–3 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice, until golden and crispy. Alternatively, bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through.
- In a large bowl, add the chopped Romaine lettuce and homemade croutons.
- Drizzle with the desired amount of creamy Caesar dressing and toss until well combined.
- Garnish with shaved Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper before serving.
How to Serve and Store Leftovers
- Serve With:
- Grilled chicken, air fryer chicken breast or salmon, for a full meal.
- Pair with a cup of soup.
- Pasta dishes like baked ziti or lasagna.
- Storing Leftovers:
- Store undressed salad and dressing separately, in airtight containers.
- The Creamy Caesar Salad will keep fresh for up to 2 days in the fridge. The homemade dressing lasts 5–7 days.
- Homemade croutons stay crunchy for up to 3 days in a sealed container at room temp.
- Leftover Ideas:
- Wrap the salad and grilled protein in a tortilla for a Caesar salad wrap.
- Use the croutons as a crispy topping for tomato soup.
- Stir leftover dressing into pasta or potato salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make the dressing ahead of time? Yes! It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using.
- Do I have to use anchovy paste? Nope—it’s traditional, but you can leave it out or use a splash of fish sauce for similar umami flavor.
- Can I bake the croutons instead of using an air fryer? Absolutely. Bake them at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Is this salad gluten-free? You can make a gluten-free Creamy Caesar Salad by using gluten-free bread for the croutons and by double-checking that the Worcestershire sauce is also gluten-free.
- What proteins pair best with this salad? Grilled chicken, blackened salmon, crispy chickpeas, or even grilled steak are all excellent choices to pair with a Caesar salad.
More Salad Recipes to Love
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Creamy Caesar Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
Tossed with crisp Romaine hearts, crispy croutons, Parmesan and cracked pepper, this Creamy Caesar Salad is rich, tangy, and full of texture.
Ingredients
- 3 hearts of Romaine, chopped
- 2 slices crusty bread, cut into cubes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan, for garnish
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 3 to 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a jar or bowl, combine all the ingredients for the creamy Caesar dressing. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Cut bread into cubes and place in a bowl. Toss with olive oil and garlic powder, until fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Add the bread cubes and air fry for 2–3 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice, until golden and crispy. Alternatively, bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through.
- In a large bowl, add the chopped Romaine lettuce and homemade croutons.
- Drizzle with the desired amount of creamy Caesar dressing and toss until well combined.
- Garnish with shaved Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper before serving.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Easily prepare the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge.
- Use a good-quality mayo for the Caesar dressing.
- Wash the lettuce and be sure to dry or spin to remove any excess water.
- Homemade croutons can be replaced with store-bought.
- If you do not have an air fryer, bake the croutons in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Toss a few times while baking.
- Dress the salad to your liking.
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave the Parmesan cheese. Alternatively, replace with freshly grated.
- Store leftover salad dressing in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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