Air-Frying Garlic Bread: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Garlic bread is a delicious side dish that can be made even better with an air fryer. The air fryer's ability to circulate heat ensures crispy, toasted bread with a soft, fluffy middle. It's a quick and easy way to make garlic bread, taking just 5 minutes to cook. The short cook time also means there's no need to defrost frozen garlic bread before air frying. Simply place the frozen garlic bread in the air fryer and it'll be ready in 5-8 minutes.

How to make garlic bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Bread ( baguette, ciabatta, Italian loaf, or sourdough)
• Butter ( salted or unsalted)
• Garlic (freshly minced or powder)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Parsley (dried or fresh)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 180°C).
• Prepare the garlic butter by mixing softened butter with freshly minced garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese (if using).
• Cut the bread into slices or halves. If slicing, ensure they are around ½-inch thick. If cutting the loaf in half, trim the ends first, then cut each half vertically so they fit in the air fryer.
• Spread a generous amount of the garlic butter mixture onto the bread.
• Place the bread into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. You may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry the garlic bread for 4-6 minutes, or until golden and crispy. For softer bread, cook for 2-3 minutes.

Tips:

• If you prefer your garlic bread with a softer middle, wrap the buttered bread in aluminium foil and cook for 15 minutes.
• If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder or garlic salt. If using garlic salt, be mindful of how much you add as it can make the dish very salty.
• You can add other types of cheese such as mozzarella, cheddar, or goat cheese.
• If making in advance, store the garlic bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.

The best type of bread to use

It is important to cut the bread into even slices, ideally about 1/2-inch thick. This will ensure that the bread cooks properly and that each slice has a good amount of garlic butter. If your slices are too thick, they may need longer in the air fryer, and if they are too thin, they may burn.

When placing the bread in the air fryer, make sure that the slices are in a single layer and not overlapping. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from getting soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bread in batches.

The best type of butter to use

Some recipes suggest using butter from a block, as it can make a difference in the final product. However, if you only have access to salted or unsalted butter, both will work well.

When mixing the garlic butter, you can also add other ingredients like garlic, Parmesan cheese, and fresh or dried herbs like parsley. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile!

The best type of garlic to use

Fresh garlic cloves are key to achieving that authentic garlic flavour. Minced garlic is roasted to perfection in the oven, and freshly grated garlic is preferred over the powdered kind to ensure the bread is packed full of flavour.

How to store and reheat garlic bread

Storing Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is best stored at room temperature, wrapped in foil, for a couple of days. It is susceptible to drying out and can become stale quickly, so it is not recommended to store it in the refrigerator. If you want to store it for longer than a couple of days, it is best to freeze it.

Reheating Garlic Bread

The best method for reheating garlic bread is in the oven. Simply wrap the bread in foil and warm it in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350° F.

You can also reheat garlic bread in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and place the garlic bread slices in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, checking after 2 minutes to ensure it has reached your desired temperature. Avoid overcooking, as it will get too crispy very quickly!

Other methods for reheating garlic bread include using a toaster oven, microwave, stovetop, or conventional toaster. However, these methods may not produce the best results and can make the bread drier and crispier.

Tips for Storing and Reheating

• If your bread is dried out or you prefer softer garlic bread, sprinkle a bit of water on it before baking to create steam and rehydrate it.
• If you are reheating frozen garlic bread, wrap it in foil and place it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the centre is warm.
• To make leftover garlic bread taste better, brush it with fresh melted butter or olive oil, or add fresh garlic, garlic powder, herbs, or parmesan cheese before reheating.
• If you are reheating garlic bread in the microwave, warm it in 10-second intervals and avoid overheating, as it may become tough.

Frequently asked questions