Air-Fryer Garlic Bread: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryer garlic bread is a quick and easy side dish that can be made in minutes. It is the perfect companion to pasta dishes, soups, and salads. The air fryer's heat circulation ensures the bread is crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The best part? You can use whatever bread you have available, from Italian loaves to French baguettes and even sourdough!

How to make garlic bread in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Bread ( baguette, ciabatta, Italian loaf, or French loaf)
• Butter ( softened, preferably unsalted)
• Garlic (freshly minced)
• Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Instructions:

• Prepare the garlic butter by mixing softened butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl. You can also add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
• Cut the bread into slices or halves that will fit into your air fryer.
• Spread the garlic butter mixture generously onto the bread.
• Place the bread into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each slice for even cooking.
• Set the air fryer to 350-400°F and cook for 4-7 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on the bread to avoid overcooking.
• For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle some mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top of the bread during the last minute of cooking.
• Serve the garlic bread warm as a side dish or enjoy it on its own!

Tips:

• If you prefer a softer texture, wrap the bread in aluminum foil before placing it in the air fryer and cook for a slightly longer time.
• To avoid sogginess, always cook the garlic bread in a single layer and in batches if needed.
• You can also make garlic toast by using sliced bread instead of a loaf.
• For vegan garlic bread, substitute olive oil or vegan butter for regular butter, and use nutritional yeast or omit the cheese altogether.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days or freeze for up to two months.

The best type of bread to use

A French baguette is a popular choice for garlic bread in the air fryer, as it makes smaller rounds of bread and is an authentic base for the garlic butter. However, you can also use a ciabatta or a small sourdough loaf. If you are using a pre-sliced loaf, look for thick slices, as these will give you the best texture and flavour.

You can also make garlic bread in the air fryer with frozen garlic bread, such as Pepperidge Farm, which is thinner and cooks faster, or make your own garlic bread from scratch.

Vegan alternatives

Yes, you can bake garlic bread in an air fryer, and it's a great option for vegans too! Here are some vegan alternatives to the classic garlic bread:

Ingredients

Vegan garlic bread is made with just four base ingredients: vegan butter, garlic, nutritional yeast (optional), and bread.

For the vegan butter, use your favourite dairy-free, lightly salted option. If you don't have any vegan butter, you can use olive oil, though the flavour will be different and the results won't be as rich and creamy. A 50/50 mix of oil and vegan butter would also work.

For the garlic, use minced garlic, adjusting the amount to your taste. You could also use roasted garlic for a super mellow but delicious flavour.

Nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesiness and umami depth, like a vegan parmesan cheese alternative.

For the bread, a baguette is recommended, but you can also use other Italian bread, ciabatta, naan, focaccia, a crusty loaf, or even sandwich bread.

Recipe Variations and Add-Ins

There are several ways to add extra flavour to your vegan garlic bread:

• Freshly minced parsley, scallions/green onion, or chives
• Dried herbs like Italian seasoning, dried thyme, and/or oregano
• Red pepper flakes for a subtle heat or a POW, depending on your preference
• Vegan cheese—try a cheddar-style cheese, shredding it over the air fryer garlic toast before cooking, or sprinkle over some vegan parmesan
• Black pepper and onion powder, added to taste

How to Make Air Fryer Vegan Garlic Bread

Preparing garlic bread in an air fryer is simple and requires just a few steps:

• Combine the vegan butter, garlic, and nutritional yeast (if using) in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Slice the baguette in half lengthwise or into individual 1-inch round slices. For a more traditional supermarket-style pull-apart effect, place a chopstick or pencil beside the baguette and slice the baguette every 1 inch apart until you reach the pencil/chopstick so you don't cut entirely through the slices, similar to Hasselback potatoes.
• Spread the garlic butter mixture across each half, and if you've sliced the baguette, spread it between the crevices so both sides of the bread are buttered.
• Place the garlic bread in a single layer, face-up in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
• Air fry at 350F/177C for 4-5 minutes, watching it to ensure it doesn't burn.

Baking in the Oven

You can also bake vegan garlic bread in the oven. Bake at 350ºF/175ºC until it's golden brown with crispy edges—this should take around 10-12 minutes for a baguette, but the exact time will differ based on the size and thickness of the bread.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

You can make the vegan garlic butter mixture and store it covered in the fridge for up to a week. To use it, bring it back to room temperature, spread it over the bread, and air fry as usual.

Alternatively, spread the vegan garlic butter over the baguette and then flash-freeze the slices until solid. Transfer them to a Ziplock/Stasher bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Air fry the frozen garlic bread, adding a minute or two to the air frying time.

Enjoy the air-fried garlic bread immediately for the best texture. Leftovers will store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How to store and reheat garlic bread

Garlic bread is best stored at room temperature and wrapped in foil for a couple of days. If you want to store it for longer, it's best to freeze it. In the case of cheesy garlic bread, it is recommended to freeze the bread, even if just for a couple of days, as it does not store well at room temperature.

To store garlic bread in the freezer, wrap it in plastic wrap and/or foil, then place it in a freezer bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to two months.

When it comes to reheating garlic bread, the oven is the best option, as it warms the bread without drying it out. Simply wrap the bread in foil and warm it in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350° F.

However, if you're looking for a quicker option, the air fryer is a great choice. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and place the garlic bread slices in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 2-3 minutes, checking regularly to prevent overcooking.

Other reheating options include using a toaster oven, microwave, stove, or conventional toaster. However, these methods may not produce the same level of crispiness and warmth as the oven or air fryer.

What to serve with garlic bread

Garlic bread is a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas for what to serve with garlic bread:

Soups

Garlic bread goes well with many different types of soup. Try serving it with a hearty beef stew, tomato soup, or broccoli cheddar soup. You could also dip your garlic bread into a cheese dip or a stuffed pepper soup.

Salads

For a lighter option, pair garlic bread with a fresh and juicy caprese salad, or a chicken Caesar salad.

Pasta

Garlic bread is a classic side dish for pasta. Try it with spaghetti bolognese, chicken alfredo, or eggplant parmesan. You could also serve it with baked ziti, or spinach and artichoke stuffed shells.

Meat

For a hearty meal, serve garlic bread with beef stroganoff, shrimp scampi, or Cajun jambalaya. You could also use garlic bread to make meatball subs, or roast beef sandwiches.

Other

Garlic bread is a great side for a range of other meals, including chilli con carne, spinach-stuffed chicken breasts, or teriyaki-glazed salmon.

There are plenty of options to choose from, so get creative and enjoy your garlic bread!

Frequently asked questions