This quick and easy Air Fryer Garlic Bread comes together in about 10 minutes, and requires only six ingredients. The perfect carb-y side dish for any family dinner!
My entire family are all carb lovers. This Cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread always hits the spot and makes the perfect side dish for a variety of family dinners. The entire recipe is also very simple to make, and requires only a few basic ingredients.
The recipe uses roasted garlic to create a deep garlic flavor that will make this homemade garlic bread king. Really low on time? I have also included directions on how to cook frozen garlic bread in the air fryer as well.
Ingredient Notes
Bread: I have found that a soft, but semi sturdy bread works best for air fryer garlic bread. My favorite bread to use is Ciabatta Rolls or Texas Toast. I do not recommend using a hard crusty bread like French bread. It will get very firm when air fried and the garlic bread won't have the best texture.
Cheese: I like to stick to a simple combination of Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses. You could of course swap in other variety to change up the flavor if you wish. Other cheese options include Asiago, Gruyere or White Cheddar. For a more traditional garlic bread recipe, you can of course leave out the cheese completely.
Why You'll be OBSESSED with this Recipe
Crowd Pleaser: A Hit with Both Kids and Adults
Only SIX Basic Ingredients Required
Quick & Easy: Ready in about 10 Minutes
Instructions
- Start by roasting fresh garlic if you haven't done so already. I always do this ahead of time to save on prep time. Check out my detailed directions for roasting garlic below.
- Combine softened butter, roasted garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl.
- Use a smooth to mash/stir to combine.
Roasting Fresh Garlic
Roasted garlic is the key to incredible homemade garlic bread. This is very easy to do, and I usually make mine ahead of time to save on prep time.
To roast fresh garlic start by removing the white peel from the outside. Next, slice off the top stem of the garlic and discard. Place the garlic in foil and drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic in the foil and bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Once soft and golden, squeeze the garlic cloves out and add to recipe of choice.
- Slice two ciabatta rolls in half then slice across to open. I like to make eight pieces of garlic bread this way. You could also just slice across and make 4 larger pieces. This is completely up to you, I just prefer making 8 smaller servings.
- Once sliced, lay all the pieces of bread out on a flat surface and spread evenly with the prepared garlic butter.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top of all the slices evenly.
- Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over top of all the slices evenly.
- Organize the cheese garlic bread in the basket of your preheated air fryer. It's okay if some of the edges touch. I am able to fit all 8 slices in my air fryer basket at once, but you may need to fry in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Close the lid and cook at 360 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. Make sure to check on the bread often. You want to cook until the cheese is melted and just starting to turn golden.
- Once cooked, remove from air fryer and serve warm. You can sprinkle with additional fresh parsley if you wish. Enjoy!
Storing Leftover Garlic Bread
Leftover homemade garlic bread does not save well and I recommend eating it within 24 hours. You can store it in an airtight container at room temperature, then warm before enjoying. To extend the life further you can freeze it for up to 1 month in a airtight freezer bag or container.
Pro Tips
The Perfect Cook
When the garlic bread is cooking in the air fryer make sure to check it often. It doesn't take long and it can be easy to burn. All air fryers are a bit different and some may cook the bread fast or slower than mine does. So be sure to baby it to ensure it doesn't get too browned.
Preheat
When air frying I always recommend preheating. This will help you food cook faster, more evenly and be closer to the recipe time recommendations. My air fryer automatically preheats when I start the time. Yours may as well, it could have a preheat button, or you may need to do it manually by letting your air run for 4-5 minutes on the temperature recommendation.
Frozen Garlic Bread Instructions
If you are really trying to save on time and prep you can use premade frozen cheese bread like Texas Toast. It is very simple to make in any air fryer and comes out super crispy and perfectly cooked every time.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Once preheated add in garlic bread and cook the toast for 2-3 minutes. Then turn the bread over and continue cooking for about 2-3 additional minutes or until the toast is browned and crisped to your liking.
FAQS
“Garlic bread” is based on a classic Italian dish called bruschetta. The word comes from the Italian bruscare, meaning to roast. While the original dish came from Italy, Americans have altered it and created a alternate version using cheese, different breads and other spices.
Yes, vegetarians can eat garlic bread by using cheese not treated with animal rennet. Vegans can also eat garlic bread with some modifications. One option being could use butter and cheese alternatives to make yours plant based. Alternatively, you could leave off the cheese and use olive oil in place of the butter.
Garlic goes great with soups, stews and pasta. My favorite soup pairing is Creamy Tomato Soup. Garlic bread is also a great addition to salads or as a side for an Italian Chicken like Spiedini. Of course my kids love it on its on dunked in some marinara sauce. It's a super versatile side dish and goes with pretty much anything IMO.
My FAVORITE Kitchen Tools
I recently got the Ninja Foodi Grill which also air fries WONDERFULLY. The basket is large and can hold a lot as well. If you are in the market for an air fryer, this one is great.
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Happy Eating!
Air Fryer Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Ciabatta Rolls Sliced
- 4 tablespoon Unsalted Butter Softened
- 4 Cloves Roasted Garlic See Notes
- ½ tablespoon Fresh Parsley Roughly Chopped- Plus More for Topping
- ½ Cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
- 2 ½ tablespoon Parmesan Cheese Grated
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees F. While the air fryer is preheating, combine softened butter, roasted garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl. Use a smooth to mash/stir to combine. Set aside.
- Slice ciabatta rolls in half then slice across to open. I like to make eight pieces of garlic bread this way. You could also just slice across and make 4 larger pieces. This is completely up to you, I just prefer making 8 smaller servings.
- Once sliced, lay all the pieces of bread out on a flat surface and spread evenly with the prepared garlic butter. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella Cheese evenly.
- Organize the cheese garlic bread in the basket of your preheated air fryer. It's okay if some of the edges touch. I am able to fit all 8 slices in my air fryer basket at once, but you may need to fry in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Close the lid and cook at 360 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. Make sure to check on the bread often. You want to cook until the cheese is melted and just starting to turn golden.
- Once cooked, remove from air fryer and serve warm. You can sprinkle with additional fresh parsley if you wish. Enjoy!
Notes
To roast fresh garlic start by removing the white peel from the outside. Next, slice off the top stem of the garlic and discard. Place the garlic in foil and drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic in the foil and bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Once soft and golden, squeeze the garlic cloves out and add to recipe of choice.
*I always do this ahead of time and store in the fridge to save on prep and time*
Leftover Storage
Leftover garlic should be eaten within 24 hours, and can store it in an airtight container at room temperature, then warm before enjoying. To extend the life further you can freeze it for up to 1 month in a airtight freezer bag or container.
Pro Tip
Be sure to check the garlic bread when it is cooking in your air fryer. All air fryers are a bit different and some may cook the bread faster or slower than others. It can burn easily so be sure to watch it. Vegetarian/Vegan Options
Vegetarians can eat garlic bread by using cheese not treated with animal rennet. Vegans can enjoy garlic bread by using a plant based butter and cheese, or by using oil in place of the butter. Frozen Garlic Bread Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F. Once preheated add in garlic bread and cook the toast for 2-3 minutes. Then turn the bread over and continue cooking for about 2-3 additional minutes or until the toast is browned and crisped to your liking.
Maria San Juan
So yummy! i will surely make this! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Enjoy when you make it! 🙂
Louise Cayzer
So easy and SO cheesy! Garlic bread perfection.
Caitlyn Erhardt
THANKS! I agree!
Anjali
This felt like restaurant quality garlic bread! So smart to make it in the air fryer - mine turned out crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Yay! Happy it turned out well and was perfectly cooked!
Tavo
Nothing like great garlic bread! The recipe came out deliciously!
Caitlyn Erhardt
YAY! Glad it worked out well.
Dannii
I love making garlic bread in the air fryer. It gets perfectly cooked.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Agree! It always is perfectly crispy.