Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Air Fryer Garlic Bread is usually on my menu for when friends and family visit. I simply cannot imagine a better and quicker snack than this garlic bread in air fryer! It’s ready in just 10 minutes, with a crispy outside and a moist, buttery inside.

WHAT IS AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD

Garlic bread is one of the best things in life… who wouldn’t agree?! I love it for how quick and easy it is to make, especially when unexpected guests are on the way! This air fryer garlic bread is ready in literally 10 minutes from start to finish. It has a strong hint of garlic and fresh parsley. It’s crispy outside and moist, buttery inside – just perfect!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

• Bread: I’m using ciabatta rolls for this air fryer garlic bread, but you can also use a baguette or even sliced sourdough if you prefer.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is the base of the garlic spread. You’ll want it softened for easy to mixing and spreading. I recommend using unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must here! Minced garlic cloves give the bread that signature pungent flavor that we all associate with garlic bread. You can adjust the amount of garlic based on your taste, but I find that 4-5 cloves give the right balance of flavors.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and fresh, herby aroma that works great with butter and garlic.
• Cheese: This air fryer garlic bread is delicious on its own, but I love adding cheese to make it even better! A combination of parmesan and mozzarella works amazing.
• Salt and pepper
• Garnishes: I like to garnish garlic bread with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes when I’m in a mood for a spicy kick.

HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BREAD IN AIR FRYER

Please note: This is just an overview – the full ingredients and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Prepare the garlic butter.

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything together until you have a smooth, even mixture. This will be your garlic butter spread. The key here is to make sure the butter is softened but not melted so that it’s easy to spread evenly over the bread.

Step 2: Spread garlic butter on the bread.

Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of each piece of bread. Make sure to cover the entire surface so that every bite is full of garlic flavor.

Step 3: Add cheese.

This is optional, but if you’re craving a cheesy garlic bread, now is the time to sprinkle on your grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella. You don’t need to go overboard—just a light layer will do, but feel free to add more if you want an extra cheesy result.

Step 4: Place garlic bread in air fryer.

Place the garlic buttered bread slices in your air fryer basket, cut side facing up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bread in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the bread for 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on it during the last minute so it doesn’t burn. You’re looking for a golden, crispy top with melted butter and, if you’ve added cheese, bubbly cheese.

STORING AND FREEZING

Storing: If you have leftover air fryer garlic bread, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It should keep for 2-3 days at room temperature. To reheat, simply pop it back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes to crisp it up again.

Freezing: To freeze air fryer garlic bread, prepare the bread as instructed but stop before the air frying step. Once the bread is slathered with garlic butter (and cheese if using), place the slices on a baking tray and freeze them until solid. Transfer the frozen garlic bread to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to cook, you can air fry the garlic bread straight from the freezer. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time—around 7-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

EXPERT TIPS

• Don’t overcrowd the basket: If the bread slices are too close together, the air won’t circulate properly, leading to uneven cooking. It’s better to cook in batches if necessary.
• Use softened butter: If the butter is too hard, it won’t spread easily, and the garlic butter will be unevenly distributed. Softening the butter makes this step much easier.
• Watch the bread closely: The air fryer works quickly, so check on the bread during the last minute of cooking to make sure it doesn’t burn.
• Customize the seasoning: If you like your garlic bread with a bit of extra zing, feel free to experiment with additional herbs or spices like oregano, thyme, or chilli flakes.

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