Garlic bread in the air fryer might just be the ultimate shortcut dish. In about 10 minutes, you can have the best buttery garlic bread (crispy on the outside, soft inside) without ever turning on the oven. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s the perfect way to use your air fryer in a new (and very delicious) way.

Serve it with weeknight favorites like Penne all’Arrabbiata or Simple Baked Chicken Thighs, or just keep sneaking slices from the basket while you think about what to make for dinner.

Timing and Temperature

I like to air fry garlic bread at 350°F. If you have time to preheat the air fryer, you can, but it really heats up quickly, and this recipe takes so little time to make that it may just mean an extra minute of toasting time.

The air frying time for garlic bread depends on the air fryer for sure, but garlic bread will take somewhere between 3 and 6 minutes at 350°F in the air fryer. This will get you to slices that are nicely toasted and golden on the top and bottom, but tender inside. Remember that as the garlic bread cools, it will firm up and harden a bit, so take it out before it is too crispy.

Reheating Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• Heat slices 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
• Wrap in foil if you prefer softer bread.

You can also reheat air-fried garlic bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Wrap the bread in foil before reheating in the oven to keep it tender.

Freezing Air-Fried Garlic Bread

• Freeze uncooked sliced (with garlic butter) on a tray until firm, then store in an airtight bag for up to 3 months.
• Cook from frozen at 350°F for 5-7 minutes in the air fryer or the oven, or thaw and air fry as directed.

Leftover cooked garlic bread can also be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for a day. Reheat as directed above.

Ingredients

• Unsalted room temperature butter
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil – This makes the mixture more spreadable and adds a bit of a different flavor. You can use another cooking oil instead.
• Parmesan cheese – Finely grated is best, again, so everything blends together smoothly. Please don’t use the canned stuff for this! Pre-grated Parm from the deli cheese department is fine, just make sure it’s the real deal.
• Salt – Kosher salt is my go-to; it makes it easier to control the level of saltiness and offers a little bit of texture
• Baguette – You’ll want to slice your baguette (or whatever loaf bread you choose) into slices about 1/3-inch thick.

How to Make Garlic Bread in an Air Fryer

1. Mix the garlic butter and spread on the bread: In a small bowl, blend together the butter, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, and salt until well combined. Spread the mixture on one side of the baguette slices.

2. Air fry the garlic bread: Place the slices in the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry the garlic bread slices for 3 to 6 minutes, until done to your liking.

Variations

• You can skip the Parmesan if you like.
• You can add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or other firm grating cheese to the mixture for a cheesy air fryer garlic bread.
• Dial up or down the amount of garlic according to your family’s tastes.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Baked Tortellini

Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Linguine

Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan

More Garlic Bread Recipes

• Best Garlic Bread
• Persillade Garlic Bread
• Cheesy Garlic Bread
• Ranch Garlic Bread
• Vegan Garlic Bread