Air Fryer Garlic Bread is super easy to make and you’ll be surprised how phenomenal the texture is! Imagine having crispy, buttery garlicky bread with herbs ready in 5-8 minutes, it’s a dream 🙂 And it’s everyone’s favorite side dish!
This Air fryer Garlic Bread is Everything. Like Seriously. Irresistibly delicious, and shockingly so quick and easy to whip up. While we absolutely LOVE this Ultimate Garlic Bread and it’s our go to for divine garlic bread recipe. The air fryer version is quicker and more convenient.
What Is Air Fryer Garlic Bread?
Air fryer garlic bread is sliced bread topped with garlic butter and cooked using rapid hot air circulation instead of a traditional oven. Because the air fryer heats more aggressively from above, control is key so garlic can burn quickly. The perfect air fryer garlic bread has:
- Crisp surface
- Soft interior
- Even browning
- Faster cook time
Why You’ll Love Garlic Bread In Air Fryer
- It’s absolutely the quickest way to make garlic bread for last minute.
- The bread comes out perfectly tasty after absorbing all that herb garlic butter.
- You can decide how crunchy or soft you want the final recipe to be, up to your preference.
- Likewise, you can decide how buttery, cheesy, garlicky you want your bread to be.
- This shortcut makes it super convenient to enjoy homemade garlic bread anytime.
- The garlic bread requires simple ingredients which you probably have in your refrigerator.
- It’s the perfect side dish to tomato soup, salads, favorite pasta dishes and more!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bread
The type of bread you choose is crucial for the final recipe. So a crispy loaf of bread will yield a crispy garlic bread, while a soft loaf or texas toast will yield a softer one. Choose one for the best texture and best flavor!
- Favorites Include: French bread like baguette, Italian bread loaf, Ciabatta Thick cut sandwich bread (for softer style)
- Avoid: Thin sandwich bread (burns too quickly) or very airy bread (dries out)
Slightly stale bread actually performs better — it crisps evenly without becoming chewy.
Butter (Not Margarine)
Unsalted butter gives controlled seasoning, better brown and a richer finish. Salted butter may interfere with the other ingredients that flavor the bread.
We always opt for room temperature softened butter, not melted butter because the melted one soaks in to the bread and prevents surface crisping.
Fresh Garlic
Always use freshly minced garlic for strongest flavor, and finely grated garlic for smoother distribution. Avoid garlic powder alone if you want bold flavor because it lacks depth. Also if you want the BEST recommendation , use Roasted Garlic!!
Seasoning & Spices. Salt and pepper of course, and we love adding some chilli flakes, granulated garlic and maybe paprika. Whatever you feel like! If you don’t have fresh herbs, add in some Italian seasoning–a MUST here!
Herbs. Our favorite herbs to pair with this recipe are fresh thyme, fresh oregano, fresh parsley and maybe rosemary.
Parmesan Cheese. While optional, we LOVE the richness that a small amount of parmesan adds to the garlic bread recipe.
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Prepare the Bread
- Use a serrated knife and cut half inch intervals along the bread, making sure no to cut all the way through. You want to make slits on insertions enough to load with the butter filling while keeping the loaf intact.
- The thick slices of bread will be used to spread the garlic butter mixture in between so it has to withstand the mixture.
Make the Garlic Butter Mix
- In a small bowl, add in the soft butter, garlic, fresh parmesan cheese, seasoning and spices and minced fresh herbs.
- Use a fork to mash everything together until blended and smooth. Taste and adjust for seasoning if you’d like.
Spread The Garlic Butter On the Bread
- Now take a spreading knife and slather the bread with the butter mixture everywhere you can. Go in between the slices, over the top of the bread and sides, just give it all the flavor you possible can.
Air Fry The Garlic Bread : Cooking Garlic Bread
- Now take the bread slathered in the butter mixture all around and place it in the air fryer basket.
- We prefer the basket type air fryers as you. may have noticed we only use those in all our air fryer recipes.
- Air fry the garlic bread at 375 degrees F for 4 minutes if you want a softer garlic bread. Increase the time to 6 minutes for crispier crust on the bread.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer and bread, you may need to cook this recipe in batches.
- You’ll notice the butter has softened and the bread got a slightly light golden color, and for us we love a slight crisp. Our optional time is 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Seriously ONLY 5 minutes and you’ve got this!
- To serve the garlic butter, simply remove it from the air fryer and separate the slices where you have cut them.
- They should pull apart gently as you try to tear them apart.
Adding Cheese (Optional Variation)
Add mozzarella or parmesan during the last 2–3 minutes only. If you add cheese too early, it prevents crisping, or causes over browning. It can also make the bread feel dense.
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- It’s crucial to understand how the type of bread you use with will determine alot about the final recipe. We have shared so much about this on our Ultimate Garlic Bread article.
- If you have the time and we highly recommend that you use Roasted Garlic in place of fresh, and follow our tutorial.
- Feel free to make the butter mixture as vibrantly seasoned or as simple as possible. It’s completely up to your taste.
- Always use a serrated knife for cutting the bread.
- When using basket air fryers, you don’t truly need to preheat them at all.
- Depending on your taste for crisp or soft garlic bread, you will need between 4-6 minutes of air frying.
- If making double or triple this recipe, make sure you always place the bread in a single layer. This is always the base for air frying any food.
- It’s best to serve this right away, but you can also make in advance.
- Leftovers are great stored in a sealed container or ziploc bag in the fridge or freezer.
How to Get Perfect Texture Every Time
- If the bread feels hard throughout, it means temperature was too high.
- If the bread feels greasy, it means butter was melted instead of softened.
- If garlic tastes bitter, it means heat was too aggressive
Garlic Bread Flavor Variations
- Classic Italian Style: Add Parmesan, oregano, black pepper and basil pesto.
- Spicy Garlic Bread: Use red pepper flakes and finish with a Chili oil drizzle after cooking
- Herb Garlic Bread: Fresh thyme and fresh rosemary (finely minced)
- Roasted Garlic: This is our absolute favorite.
Frozen Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer
You can make frozen garlic bread in the air fryer, just follow those steps:
- No thawing needed, unwrap and place in a preheated air fryer.
- Cook at 350°F for 6–10 minutes depending on thickness.
- Flip halfway if needed for even heating.
Store Bought Garlic Bread
For store bought versions, you can air fry them. Use a lower temperature slightly (325–350°F) because pre seasoned breads often contain added sugars that brown faster.
Garlic Is Burning
Lower temperature to 325–350°F and if needed, mix garlic with butter more thoroughly so it’s protected by fat.
Bread Is Too Hard
Reduce cooking time, use thicker slices and use a lower heat.
Not Crispy Enough
Increase temperature slightly for final minute making sure not to overcrowd basket.
Uneven Browning
Rotate halfway through cooking to make sure even cooking happens, and avoid oversized slices that block airflow.
How To Prepare This Garlic Bread in Advance
You can make the whole recipe in advance without cooking it. Wrap the ready to cook loaf in aluminum foil and then a tightly sealed ziploc. At that point you can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months or fridge for up to 5 days.
To cook the frozen garlic bread, place it in the air fryer with the foil, add 2 extra minutes to the air fryer time. Remove the foil and cook for just 1-2 minutes for a golden color.
To cook from the fridge, you can remove the foil and just 2-3 minutes of extra time.
What to Serve it With?
There’s absolutely nothing that doesn’t go with garlic bread! Try it pastas like Baked Ziti Recipe, Spaghetti aglio e olio, Lobster Pasta. Also Burrata Pasta, Sardine Pasta and more!
Try it also with soups like Baked Potato Soup, Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Butternut Squash Soup Recipe. And Best Minestrone Soup and more!
And why not salads like Lamb Loin With Halloumi Salad, Peach Burrata Salad, Panzanella Salad, Wedge Salad, Burrata Salad, Caprese Salad.
How to Reheat Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer?
As with most of our recipes, we LOVE reheating them all in the air fryer. Like check out our Air Fryer Pizza article for all the details! For this recipe, simply reheat at 350 degrees F for 1-2 minutes depending on how warm you want it to be.
Storage & Reheating
- This is best served fresh.
- To store leftovers: Place in a ziploc in the fridge or freezer once the bread has cooled down.
- To reheat: Air fry at 325°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Do not microwave as it becomes soggy.
- To freeze: Place the cooled garlic bread on a baking sheet. Flash freeze for 1 hour until it hardens, then place it in a ziploc bag, reheat as above.
How long does garlic bread take in the air fryer?
4–8 minutes at 350–375°F depending on thickness.
What temperature is best for air fryer garlic bread?
350°F is safest, however you can try 375°F for faster browning but requires monitoring.
Can you put foil in the air fryer for garlic bread?
Yes, but do not block airflow completely. Leave space around edges.
Why is my air fryer garlic bread soggy?
Butter was melted or bread was overcrowded, preventing crisp airflow.
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Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Air Fryer Garlic Bread is super easy to make and you'll be surprised how phenomenal the texture is! Imagine having crispy, buttery garlicky bread with herbs ready in 5-8 minutes, it's a dream 🙂 And it's everyone's favorite side dish!
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 baguette
Garlic Butter Mix
- 6 tabelspoons Butter Unsalted
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or 4 roasted
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 3 tablespoons fresh herbs Minced. A combo of thyme, oregano and parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes and paprika
Instructions
-
Use a serrated knife and cut half inch intervals along the bread, making sure no to cut all the way through. You want to make slits on insertions enough to load with the butter filling while keeping the loaf intact.
-
In a medium size bowl, add in the soft butter, garlic, fresh parmesan cheese, seasoning and spices and minced fresh herbs.
-
Use a fork to mash everything together until blended and smooth. Taste and adjust for seasoning if you'd like.
-
Now take a spreading knife and slather the bread with the butter mixture everywhere you can. Go in between the slices, over the top of the bread and sides, just give it all the flavor you possible can.
-
Now take the bread slathered in the butter mixture all around and place it in the basket of your air fryer.
-
We prefer the basket type air fryers as you. may have noticed we only use those in all our air fryer recipes.
-
Air fry the garlic bread at 375 degrees F for 4 minutes if you want a softer garlic bread. Increase the time to 6 minutes for crispier crust on the bread.
-
You'll notice the butter has softened and the bread got a slightly light golden color, and for us we love a slight crisp. Our optional time is 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Seriously ONLY 5 minutes and you've got this!
-
To serve the garlic butter, simply remove it from the air fryer and separate the slices where you have cut them.
-
They should pull apart gently as you try to tear them apart.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- It's crucial to understand how the type of bread you use with will determine alot about the final recipe. We have shared so much about this on our Ultimate Garlic Bread article.
- If you have the time and we highly recommend that you use Roasted Garlic in place of fresh, and follow our tutorial.
- Feel free to make the butter mixture as vibrantly seasoned or as simple as possible. It's completely up to your taste.
- Always use a serrated knife for cutting the bread.
- When using basket air fryers, you don't truly need to preheat them at all.
- Depending on your taste for crisp or soft garlic bread, you will need between 4-6 minutes of air frying.
- If making double or triple this recipe, make sure you always place the bread in a single layer. This is always the base for air frying any food.
- It's best to serve this right away, but you can also make in advance.
- Leftovers are great stored in a sealed container or ziploc bag in the fridge or freezer.
How to Get Perfect Texture Every Time
- If the bread feels hard throughout, it means temperature was too high.
- If the bread feels greasy, it means butter was melted instead of softened.
- If garlic tastes bitter, it means heat was too aggressive
Garlic Bread Flavor Variations
- Classic Italian Style: Add Parmesan, oregano, black pepper and basil pesto.
- Spicy Garlic Bread: Use red pepper flakes and finish with a Chili oil drizzle after cooking
- Herb Garlic Bread: Fresh thyme and fresh rosemary (finely minced)
- Roasted Garlic: This is our absolute favorite.
Frozen Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer
You can make frozen garlic bread in the air fryer, just follow those steps:
- No thawing needed, unwrap and place in a preheated air fryer.
- Cook at 350°F for 6–10 minutes depending on thickness.
- Flip halfway if needed for even heating.
Store Bought Garlic Bread
For store bought versions, you can air fry them. Use a lower temperature slightly (325–350°F) because pre seasoned breads often contain added sugars that brown faster.
Garlic Is Burning
Lower temperature to 325–350°F and if needed, mix garlic with butter more thoroughly so it’s protected by fat.
Bread Is Too Hard
Reduce cooking time, use thicker slices and use a lower heat.
Not Crispy Enough
Increase temperature slightly for final minute making sure not to overcrowd basket.
Uneven Browning
Rotate halfway through cooking to make sure even cooking happens, and avoid oversized slices that block airflow.
How To Prepare This Garlic Bread in Advance
You can make the whole recipe in advance without cooking it. Wrap the ready to cook loaf in aluminum foil and then a tightly sealed ziploc. At that point you can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months or fridge for up to 5 days.
To cook the frozen garlic bread, place it in the air fryer with the foil, add 2 extra minutes to the air fryer time. Remove the foil and cook for just 1-2 minutes for a golden color.
To cook from the fridge, you can remove the foil and just 2-3 minutes of extra time.
What to Serve it With?
There's absolutely nothing that doesn't go with garlic bread! Try it pastas like Baked Ziti Recipe, Spaghetti aglio e olio, Lobster Pasta. Also Burrata Pasta, Sardine Pasta and more!
Try it also with soups like Baked Potato Soup, Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Butternut Squash Soup Recipe. And Best Minestrone Soup and more!
And why not salads like Lamb Loin With Halloumi Salad, Peach Burrata Salad, Panzanella Salad, Wedge Salad, Burrata Salad, Caprese Salad.
How to Reheat Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer?
As with most of our recipes, we LOVE reheating them all in the air fryer. Like check out our Air Fryer Pizza article for all the details! For this recipe, simply reheat at 350 degrees F for 1-2 minutes depending on how warm you want it to be.
Storage & Reheating
- This is best served fresh.
- To store leftovers: Place in a ziploc in the fridge or freezer once the bread has cooled down.
- To reheat: Air fry at 325°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Do not microwave as it becomes soggy.
- To freeze: Place the cooled garlic bread on a baking sheet. Flash freeze for 1 hour until it hardens, then place it in a ziploc bag, reheat as above.
How long does garlic bread take in the air fryer?
4–8 minutes at 350–375°F depending on thickness.
What temperature is best for air fryer garlic bread?
350°F is safest, however you can try 375°F for faster browning but requires monitoring.
Can you put foil in the air fryer for garlic bread?
Yes, but do not block airflow completely. Leave space around edges.
Why is my air fryer garlic bread soggy?
Butter was melted or bread was overcrowded, preventing crisp airflow.
I love how easy and delicious it is. I can’t wait to make it, and I am sure the kids will enjoy it!
What can’t an air fryer do?! Love that I didn’t have to wait to preheat my oven and five minutes was the perfect cooking time to get it nice and crispy
Quick, convenient and easy and perfect side dish for any meal time. I love the Air Fryer concept.