It’s impossible to eat just one slice of this air fryer garlic bread! I can almost devour the entire loaf myself.
It’s crunchy, cheesy, and buttery, and garlicky to boot. The air fryer not only cooks it to perfection but is also dangerously quick.
In under 10 minutes, you’ll be in carb-filled heaven. I always make it for pasta night, but it goes with just about everything.
It’ll quickly become a new favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Lightning-Fast: Transform bread into crispy, golden garlic heaven in less than 10 minutes. It’s ready in a flash, making it the ideal weeknight side dish or snack.
Freezer-Friendly: Make a batch, wrap, and freeze! That way, you can enjoy perfectly toasted garlic bread whenever the craving strikes.
Versatile: What doesn’t garlic bread taste great with? Pasta, proteins, salads, there are many things to serve it with. Plus, you can customize each slice.
Ingredients
- French Baguette: A fresh French baguette makes the most irresistible garlic bread. Italian bread works, too. Just be sure to use fresh!
- Salted Butter: Salted butter has the best flavor. For a low-sodium version, use unsalted butter. Either way, use room-temperature butter for easier mixing.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic will have a better flavor than jarred minced garlic. Garlic powder can work in a pinch, but it won’t taste as punchy.
- Dried Parsley: Just a little sprinkle for more flavor and color. Dried parsley is the most convenient, but you can also use fresh.
- Parmesan Cheese (Optional): I love melted Parmesan on my garlic bread. But you can skip it if you prefer.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For a little kick!
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Forget waiting for the oven to preheat! Air fryer garlic bread won’t heat up the whole kitchen and it’s ready in a flash.
Here are the basic steps to follow:
1. Prep the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Make the garlic butter. Beat the butter, garlic, and dried parsley. Add the Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Mix until blended.
3. Prep the bread. Slice the baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Spread the butter mixture evenly over one side.
4. Air fry. Arrange the bread in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Anyone can make air fryer garlic bread. But if you want the best garlic bread, follow these tips and variations:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. There needs to be plenty of room for the air to circulate. Give the garlic bread space so it crisps up nicely.
- Keep a watchful eye. Air fryers come in different styles and sizes, so cooking times may vary by model. Check the slices after 3 minutes to avoid overcooking.
- Out of fresh garlic? Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder instead. The flavor won’t have the same bite, but it will still be tasty.
- Make it vegan-friendly. Just use plant-based butter and cheese. Or swap the butter for olive oil. You can also substitute the Parmesan for 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast.
- Be super cheesy. Parmesan is my favorite. But really, any cheese will be yummy! Mozzarella, Asiago, Pecorino, Romano, Gouda, take your pick.
How to Store
I love having leftover garlic bread on hand! It’s ready for busy weeknight dinners, grab-and-go breakfasts, midnight snack attacks, and more.
To Store: Place leftover garlic bread in an air-tight container or zip-top bag. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Transfer the garlic bread to freezer-friendly bags. Be sure to squeeze out excess air. Frozen garlic bread will last for up to 2 months.
To Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer until warm.
What to Serve With Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery garlic bread pairs great with practically anything and everything! Italian food is a no-brainer. So are the main proteins like chicken and fish. Here are some ideas: