Air-Fryer Texas Toast Garlic Bread: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Texas Toast is a type of garlic bread made with thick slices of bread that have been buttered on both sides and cooked until golden brown. It can be made in an air fryer in just a few minutes, making it a quick and easy side dish or snack. The air fryer gives the Texas Toast a crispy texture and a golden-brown crust, making it a perfect complement to any meal. You can also add cheese to make it a cheesy garlic bread.

How to make air fryer Texas Toast from fresh or frozen

Ingredients:

• Texas Toast (fresh or frozen)
• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Garlic (fresh, minced, jarred, or powdered)
• Parsley (dried or fresh)
• Salt
• Olive oil or cooking spray (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter

If your butter is chilled, set it out at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to soften. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with your garlic and parsley. You can mince or crush the garlic, or use jarred minced garlic or garlic powder. Use a fork to stir and lightly press the ingredients together. Add a pinch of salt to taste.

Step 2: Prepare the Toast

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place your Texas Toast slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. You can use butter or cooking spray on the basket to prevent sticking, but this is not necessary as Texas Toast already contains butter.

Step 3: Air Fry the Toast

The cooking time and temperature will depend on whether your Texas Toast is fresh or frozen. For fresh toast, air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. For frozen toast, air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, again flipping halfway through. If your Texas Toast has cheese on it, do not flip the slices during cooking.

Your Texas Toast is now ready to serve! Enjoy the crispy, golden-brown slices as a side or with your favourite soup or pasta dish.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Allow space for air to circulate around each slice, which will ensure they cook evenly and get super crispy.
• Keep an eye on your toast as air fryer models vary, and cooking times may need adjusting.
• You can make this recipe ahead of time and freeze it for future use. Simply flash-freeze the prepared slices on a baking sheet, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• To reheat frozen Texas Toast, place it in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 4-6 minutes.

Tips for making the perfect Texas Toast in the air fryer

Choose your bread

Select a thick, crusty loaf of bread, such as Texas Toast, Italian, French, sourdough, or ciabatta. The bread should be sliced thickly, ideally double the thickness of standard sandwich bread. If you can't find pre-sliced bread, buy a loaf and cut it yourself.

Prepare your ingredients

You will need butter, garlic, and parsley. For the butter, use real butter and set it out for 30 minutes to an hour to soften before mixing with the garlic and parsley. If you prefer salted butter, omit any additional salt from the recipe. For the garlic, use fresh, finely minced garlic for the best flavor. However, if you don't have fresh garlic, you can substitute jarred minced garlic or garlic powder. For the parsley, use dried parsley flakes or lightly dried fresh parsley.

Preheat your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 390°F, depending on the model. This step is crucial as it ensures even cooking and helps the bread crisp up properly.

Make the garlic butter mixture

Combine the softened butter, garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. Use a fork to stir and lightly press the ingredients together.

Prepare the bread

Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on both sides of each slice of bread. If your bread has a lot of holes, use softened butter to help everything stay in place.

Cook the Texas Toast

Place the slices of bread in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between the slices for air to circulate. Cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through, until the bread is golden and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and your preferred level of doneness, so keep an eye on the bread to prevent over-browning.

Serve and enjoy

Serve your Texas Toast fresh out of the air fryer as a side dish or a snack. It pairs perfectly with pasta dishes, soup, barbecue, or even as a base for a grilled cheese sandwich.

The best brands for making this recipe

While you can make your own Texas Toast Garlic Bread from scratch, there are also some great options available to buy from the store.

New York Bakery

New York Bakery's Texas Toast with Real Garlic is a popular choice. It contains wheat and milk, and the slices can be cooked in an air fryer at 400°F for 4-6 minutes.

Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm is another well-known brand for Texas Toast Garlic Bread. While specific cooking instructions for the air fryer are not available, their slices can be cooked in the oven or on a stovetop.

Soulfully Made

Soulfully Made provides a recipe for homemade Air Fryer Texas Toast Garlic Bread, which includes instructions for making and freezing the garlic butter mixture. This recipe uses Texas Toast slices, which can be found in the bread aisle of your local grocery store, with brands such as Wonder and Walmart's Great Value offering this product.

Everyday Family Cooking

Everyday Family Cooking offers a similar recipe for Air Fryer Texas Toast, suggesting that you can use whichever brand of Texas Toast you like, with Pepperidge Farm and New York Bakery as their favorites. They also provide instructions for cooking frozen Texas Toast in the air fryer, which is perfect if you want to make a large batch and store it for later.

What to serve with Texas Toast

Texas Toast is a versatile side dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on what to serve with Texas Toast:

Soups and Stews

The thick and crispy slices of Texas Toast make it a perfect companion for soups and stews. Dip the toast into a warm bowl of Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup or enjoy it alongside a hearty Sausage Green Bean Potato Casserole.

Sandwiches and Burgers

Texas Toast's thick slices and buttery flavour also make it an ideal bread choice for sandwiches and burgers. Try using it for a classic BLT, a juicy burger, or get creative with fillings like shredded chicken, pimento cheese, or even mac and cheese.

Grilled Cheese

For grilled cheese lovers, Texas Toast is a game-changer. Its thickness and buttery flavour can take your grilled cheese to the next level. Experiment with different cheeses, such as gouda, havarti, or cheddar, and don't skimp on the butter.

Breakfast Sandwiches

Start your day with a hearty breakfast sandwich on Texas Toast. Try it with sausage, eggs, and cheese, or go for a classic fried egg sandwich with bacon and ketchup. The thick slices will keep your breakfast together and satisfying.

French Toast

Texas Toast makes an excellent base for French toast. Dip the thick slices in an egg batter with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla, then fry them up for a sweet and crispy treat. Top it off with berries, whipped cream, or syrup for a decadent breakfast or brunch.

Pizza

Why order a whole pizza when you can make mini pizzas on Texas Toast? Top your Texas Toast with sauce, cheese, and your favourite toppings. It's a quick and easy way to satisfy your pizza cravings without any leftovers.

Sides for Mains

Texas Toast can also be a simple yet delicious side for your main course. Its thickness and buttery flavour can complement a variety of dishes, from BBQ to pasta. Don't be afraid to get creative and serve it alongside your favourite meals.

How to store Texas Toast Garlic Bread

Texas Toast Garlic Bread can be stored in a few different ways depending on how long you want to keep it for.

If you want to store it for a couple of days, you can keep it at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Place the leftover garlic bread in a resealable plastic zip bag, wrap it in aluminium foil, or put it in an airtight container.

If you want to store it for longer, you can put it in the fridge, where it will last for up to 2 weeks. Again, place the leftover garlic bread in a ziploc bag or airtight container.

For even longer storage, you can freeze Texas Toast Garlic Bread for up to 12 months. To do this, first, let the bread cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe zip bag. To reheat, place the frozen bread in a preheated air fryer at 350° F for 4 to 5 minutes, or until heated through.

Frequently asked questions