Air Fryer Garlic Bread
This Air Fryer Garlic Bread delivers perfectly crispy edges, a soft and pillowy interior, and incredible buttery garlic flavor in just 5 minutes of cook time. No more waiting for the oven to preheat - this recipe is stupidly simple and uses ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect as a quick side dish, snack, or appetizer that will make your whole kitchen smell amazing.
Equipment
- Air fryer Basket or oven-style both work
- Bread knife For slicing the loaf
- Small mixing bowl
- Butter knife or spatula For spreading
- Cutting board
- Garlic press Or sharp knife for mincing garlic
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette or Italian loaf sliced in half lengthwise
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter 56g, softened to room temperature
- 3 cloves garlic minced (or 1 tsp garlic paste)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese shredded (optional but highly recommended, about 25g)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until well combined.
- Slice the baguette or Italian loaf in half lengthwise so you have two flat, open halves.
- Spread garlic butter generously over the cut surface of both bread halves, going all the way to the edges. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan if using.
- Place both halves in air fryer basket cut side up. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes until edges are golden and cheese is melted.
- Remove from air fryer, let rest 30 seconds, then slice into individual pieces and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Butter temperature matters: Use softened butter, not melted. Softened butter spreads more evenly and sticks to the bread better, while melted butter tends to soak in and drip off.
- Fresh garlic is best: Freshly minced garlic has a brighter, more pungent flavor than pre-minced jarred garlic or garlic powder. If using garlic powder as a substitute, use about ½ teaspoon.
- Don't overcrowd: Give the bread enough space in the air fryer basket so hot air can circulate fully. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.
- Grate your own Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has a more intense flavor than pre-shredded bags which often contain anti-caking agents.
- Check early: Air fryers vary in temperature, so check at the 4-minute mark to prevent burning. Different models may need slightly different cook times.
- Slice after cooking: Slicing the bread before air frying can cause pieces to fall over or cook unevenly. Keep the halves intact until they come out of the fryer.
- Best bread types: French baguette or Italian loaf work best because they're sturdy enough to hold butter without getting soggy while still having a soft, airy inside. Sourdough is another excellent option. Avoid very soft sandwich bread as it tends to dry out quickly.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness - avoid the microwave.
- Make ahead: Prepare the garlic butter spread up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge. Let soften at room temperature before spreading on bread.
- Freezing instructions: Freeze garlic bread before or after cooking by wrapping individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen at 330°F for 4-5 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 390mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 8mg
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