Garlic Bread In The Air Fryer: Frozen To Toasted

Frozen garlic bread in an air fryer is a quick and easy side dish that can be made in under 10 minutes. It's a convenient shortcut for busy weeknights or whenever you crave a slice or two of this delicious side. There's no need to thaw the bread, and you can cook it straight from frozen. The air fryer creates a crispy crust and melts the garlic butter, making it a perfect addition to soups, stews, pasta dishes, and salads.

How to cook frozen garlic bread in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen garlic bread (with or without cheese)
• Butter (optional)
• Oil (optional)
• Cheese (optional)
• Herbs (optional)

Method:

First, check if your garlic bread is pre-sliced. If not, cut it into slices or halves. If your bread is large, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to fit in your air fryer.

Next, preheat your air fryer to between 360-380°F (180°C). Place the frozen garlic bread inside the air fryer basket, buttered/cheese side up. Make sure there is space between the slices for even cooking.

Cook for 5-12 minutes at 360-380°F (180°C) until the bread is golden and crispy. If your garlic bread doesn't have cheese on it, you can flip it over halfway through.

If you are adding cheese, do so halfway through cooking. For plain garlic bread, you can also add herbs or spices for extra flavour.

Once the bread is golden and the butter has melted, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• You don't need to defrost your garlic bread before cooking it in the air fryer.
• If your air fryer starts to smoke, this is likely due to the bread having a lot of butter. Add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer basket and it should be fine.
• If you want to reheat any leftovers, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 1-3 minutes, until heated through.
• You can also wrap your garlic bread in foil and cook it in the air fryer, but it won't turn out as crispy.

How long does it take to cook frozen garlic bread in an air fryer?

Frozen garlic bread in an air fryer is a quick and easy side dish that can be made in less than 10 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the wattage and model of your air fryer, as well as the size and thickness of the garlic bread. However, on average, it takes about 5-10 minutes to cook frozen garlic bread in an air fryer.

Instructions:

First, preheat your air fryer to 360-380°F (180°C). If your garlic bread is large, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to fit in the air fryer basket. Place the frozen garlic bread in the air fryer, making sure there is space between the slices for even cooking.

Cook the garlic bread for 5-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of the bread. If your garlic bread does not have cheese on it, you can flip it over halfway through the cooking time. Check the bread periodically to ensure it doesn't burn.

Your frozen garlic bread is ready when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the butter inside has melted.

Tips:

• No need to thaw frozen garlic bread before air frying. Cooking it straight from frozen will give you a crispier texture.
• If you're adding cheese to your frozen garlic bread, do so in the last few minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking the cheese.
• If your air fryer starts to smoke due to excess butter in the garlic bread, add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer basket.
• For reheating leftover garlic bread, set your air fryer to a lower temperature of around 325°F and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Variations:

You can also make frozen garlic Texas toast, frozen garlic knots, or turn your frozen garlic bread into pizza by adding sauce and toppings before air frying.

Can you cook frozen garlic bread with cheese in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen garlic bread with cheese in an air fryer!

There are a few different ways to do this, depending on the type of bread and cheese you are using. Here are some general instructions and tips to help you get started:

Preparing the Garlic Bread

First, check that your garlic bread is pre-sliced. Most air fryers cannot accommodate a whole loaf of bread or baguette. If your bread is not pre-sliced, use a serrated knife to cut it in half lengthwise, following the lines of the pre-sliced bread.

If your bread is on the larger side, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to fit in your air fryer. You may also need to cook the bread in batches to ensure even cooking.

Cooking the Garlic Bread

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-380°F (180-190°C). Place the frozen garlic bread in the air fryer basket, buttered/cheese side up. Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until golden brown. Check halfway through and adjust the time as needed, depending on your air fryer and the size of your bread.

If your bread does not have cheese on it, you can flip it over halfway through cooking. If you prefer crispier bread, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Adding Cheese

If you are using plain garlic bread, you can add grated parmesan or mozzarella cheese to the top about halfway through cooking. Simply open the air fryer, sprinkle on your desired amount of cheese, and continue cooking until melted.

Alternatively, you can make garlic bread with cheese from scratch. Prepare a garlic spread using butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Coat both sides of sliced bread with this spread, then freeze the slices individually before storing them in a freezer bag. When you're ready to cook, simply place the frozen slices in the air fryer and follow the instructions above.

Tips

• No need to thaw frozen garlic bread before air frying. Cooking from frozen will help the bread stay crisp.
• Avoid overcrowding your air fryer. Cook the bread in a single layer with space between the slices to ensure even cooking.
• No oil or cooking spray is needed for this recipe.
• If your air fryer starts to smoke, this is likely due to excess butter in the garlic bread. Simply add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to resolve this issue.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Enjoy your delicious, cheesy garlic bread!

Can you put foil-wrapped garlic bread in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put foil-wrapped garlic bread in an air fryer. However, doing so may affect the texture of your garlic bread.

When garlic bread is wrapped in foil and cooked in an air fryer, the exterior of the bread will toast, but the interior will stay soft. If you prefer your garlic bread to be crispy and toasted all over, it's best to cook it without foil.

Additionally, foil-wrapped garlic bread will take longer to cook than unwrapped garlic bread. Unwrapped garlic bread cooks in an air fryer in about 5-7 minutes, while foil-wrapped garlic bread will need about 15 minutes.

If you're looking for that soft, buttery interior and crispy exterior, wrapping your garlic bread in foil and cooking it in the air fryer may be the ideal method for you. However, if you prefer a more uniformly toasted bread, you might want to skip the foil.

Should you preheat an air fryer before cooking frozen garlic bread?

Air-frying frozen garlic bread is a quick and easy way to cook garlic bread straight from the freezer. It is also faster than heating it in the oven, and you get crispier bread without the mess.

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to around 360-380°F (180°C) for about 5 minutes. However, some recipes suggest that you can cook frozen garlic bread without preheating your air fryer.

Preheating your air fryer has several benefits. Firstly, it heats up the basket, which is the best way to get your food cooking as soon as it's placed inside. Secondly, preheating ensures that the heating elements are ready to go as soon as you start your timer.

If you don't preheat your air fryer, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time to ensure your garlic bread is cooked through.

Frequently asked questions