Air Fryer Garlic Bread

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This air fryer garlic bread recipe is the best way to make crispy buttery garlic bread in minutes! It’s made with simple ingredients like fresh Italian bread, melted butter, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. It has the best texture and is the perfect side dish for all your soups, casseroles, stews, and pasta dinners.

Thick slices of air fryer garlic bread with garlic, butter, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.

When people ask me if an air fryer is worth the hype, my only response is, that the hype doesn’t do it justice! Making chocolate chip cookies in the air fryerham in the air fryer, and air fryer hamburgers quickly, easily, and in smaller batches without turning on the oven, is pretty much genius!

So naturally, this homemade garlic bread toast in the air fryer is a must! We don’t miss the opportunity to have a basket of bread on the table, especially with spaghetti and soup nights. We need something to sop up every last bit of sauce!

Bread is the perfect side dish, but garlic bread is even better. So, why not air fry it?!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • It’s made with a handful of simple ingredients.
  • Homemade garlic bread is much better than garlic bread from the freezer section.
  • Tastes like Texas toast garlic bread – crispy and buttery goodness!
  • It takes just 15 minutes – no more fighting over the last slice. Just make more!

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Load of Italian bread, grated parmesean cheese, butter, garlic powder, fresh gralic, and fresh parsley.
  • Bread – A loaf of Italian bread or French bread gives the garlic bread a crispy crust and a softer crumb and is great for thicker, chunkier pieces of garlic bread.
  • Butter – I typically use salted butter because I always have it on hand or baking and find the Parmesan cheese gives it enough saltiness. But salted butter would work also.
  • Garlic – I use both fresh garlic (minced or grated) and garlic powder for that extra bit of garlicky flavor.
  • Parmesan cheese – An option for those who want a cheesy garlic bread. 
  • Parsley – Fresh parsley is a great flavor pairing with garlic, Parmesan, and butter! For best taste, don’t skip the herbs!

How to Make Garlic Bread in Air Fryer

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1: Slice the bread. Use a serrated knife to cut 1/2-inch thick slices. Depending on the length of your loaf, you could get up to 12-14 slices. Lay the pieces out flat.

Sliced bread on cutting board surrounded by melted butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, garlic powder, and chopped parsley.

Step 2: Combine the garlic butter mixture. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for about 30 sections. Stir in fresh garlic, garlic powder, cheese, and parsley. Mix well to combine.

Melted butter in a small bowl with garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and a spoon.

Step 3: Spread it over the bread. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of the buttery goodness onto each slice of bread. Spread it evenly.

Slices of garlic bread on parchment paper with butter mixture being spooned on to them.

Step 4: Air fry until golden. Work in batches, placing the prepared slices into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Bake at 350 F for 4-5 minutes until slightly golden brown.

Two image collage of garlic bread in air fryer basket before and after air frying.

Pro Tip:

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Place bread in the air fryer in a single layer without any pieces touching. The number of batches it takes will depend on the number of slices you have and the size of your air fryer. My 4.1-liter air fryer made 12 slices in 3 batches.

Storage

Storing: Store leftover garlic bread at room temperature for up to 2 days. Wrap slices in aluminum foil then tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to prevent the garlic toast from drying out.

Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer or toaster oven until the garlic bread is warmed through. 

Freezing: Freeze slices in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can reheat frozen garlic bread straight from the freezer using the air fryer at 350 F for 5-7 minutes. If you thaw them first, you’ll only need about 2-3 minutes.

Slices of thick garlic bread stacked in air fryer basket.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Garlic Bread

  • Make sure your garlic bread slices are not overlapping in the air fryer. Leave enough room between each one for the heat to circulate allowing all pieces to get those beautiful crispy edges.
  • No need to preheat your air fryer. 
  • I prefer grated garlic (use small holed grater or garlic press) since it makes more of a paste than minced and it’s quicker, but minced works too.
  • The homemade garlic butter/garlic mixture will start to harden as it sits; it’s okay and is actually easier to spread.

How Long to Cook Garlic Bread in Air Fryer

This depends on how crispy you like your bread, how thick your slices are, and at what temperature. For 1/2″ thick-sliced bread at 350 F, I find the perfect length to be 5 minutes. If you prefer your garlic bread a bit crispier or darker, keep it in for an extra minute or so. 

Slices of thick and crispy texas toast garlic bread on parchment paper.

Serving Suggestions

You can’t go wrong with having a basket of fresh crispy garlic bread on the table no matter what’s on the menu! We love it with crockpot beef chilipizza pasta casseroleshrimp scampi, and crock pot marry me chicken. ​

It’s one of the best side dishes for soaking up every last bit of sauce from our favorite pasta dishes or the last drop of tomato soup! 

Additions and variations

  • Bread: You could use a French baguette, ciabatta, sandwich bread, or Texas toast instead. All of these options are thinner than Italian bread, so you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Cheese: Make it cheesy! Mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese both melt easily and have a nice cheese pull.
  • Seasoning: Add a little extra herbs and spices by using an Italian seasoning blend or adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat.
Hand holding piece of thick and crispy garlic bread with parsley garnish.

More Air Fryer Recipes

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Slices of thick garlic bread stacked in air fryer basket.
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Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Homemade garlic bread in the air fryer is easy to make and has the best texture. It's crispy and buttery in all the right ways and pairs perfectly with pasta, soup, salad, or stew.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 loaf Italian bread or French bread
  • 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese optional
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Slice bread into ½ inch slices. Lay flat.
  • Melt butter in microwave-safe dish, about 30 seconds. Add fresh garlic, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and parsley. Stir well to combine.
  • Working in batches, spoon about 2 teaspoons of butter/garlic mixture onto each slice of bread and spread evenly. Place prepared slices in air fryer. Cook on 350℉ for 4-5 minutes or until slightly browned.

Notes

Store leftovers at room temperature for up to 2 days and reheat in air fryer or toaster oven until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Slices of thick garlic bread stacked in air fryer basket.

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