Oven Fryer Garlic Bread: A Tasty Possibility?

Garlic bread is a delicious, buttery, garlicky side dish that goes well with pasta, soup, or salad. It can be made in an oven or an air fryer. While the oven is a conventional method, the air fryer is a quicker alternative that gives the bread a crispier texture. The air fryer is also more energy-efficient as it doesn't require preheating, and it cooks the bread faster than an oven.

How to make garlic bread in an oven fryer

Ingredients

• Bread: French bread, Italian bread, baguette, ciabatta, or any thick-sliced bread of your choice.
• Butter: Softened at room temperature. You can use salted or unsalted butter.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic or garlic powder.
• Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, or a combination of both. You can also add red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
• Herbs: Fresh or dried parsley, dried basil, or other herbs of your choice.

Instructions

• Preheat your oven fryer to 350-400°F. Preheating is not necessary for all models, so check your fryer's instructions.
• Cut the bread: Slice the bread in half or cut it into pieces that will fit easily into the oven fryer. You can also cut slits into the bread, Hasselback-style, to allow the butter to melt into the slices.
• Prepare the garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, garlic, Italian seasoning (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), and any herbs you wish to add. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your taste.
• Spread the garlic butter: Use a brush or the back of a spoon to spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of the bread. If you've made slits in the bread, you don't need to butter each slice individually.
• Add cheese: If you're using cheese, sprinkle it on top of the bread. You can add it during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking so it melts evenly.
• Place the bread in the oven fryer: Arrange the bread pieces in a single layer in the basket or tray, leaving space between them for air circulation.
• Cook the garlic bread: Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on your oven fryer model, so keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
• Serve: Remove the garlic bread from the oven fryer and cut into thick slices, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips:

• Preheat your oven fryer to get crispy bread throughout.
• Leave space between the pieces of bread to allow for air circulation. Cook in batches if needed.
• If you're not using cheese, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
• You can also add other herbs and spices to the garlic butter, such as dried basil or fresh parsley.
• If you have leftover garlic bread, you can store it at room temperature for 1-2 days, in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for later use.

The best type of bread to use

French bread is a popular choice for garlic bread due to its soft interior and flaky, crispy crust. It has a classic soft interior with a golden crust on the exterior. French bread also has a chewy texture, making it a prime candidate for garlic bread.

Italian bread is another great option for garlic bread. It has a thick crust and soft interior, perfect for the garlic butter to melt into.

Ciabatta is a good choice for garlic bread as it can be easily cut horizontally and has an open crumb with a soft interior texture. It is a flat Italian bread with a larger crumb (bigger holes) and a crunchy crust.

Baguettes can also be used for garlic bread but have a crunchier texture than Italian and French bread. They are made the same way as garlic bread but with a French baguette instead of a loaf.

White bread can also be used if French, Italian, or ciabatta bread is unavailable. It may not be as "crusty" as other hard, crusty breads but can still give a toasty, crunchy exterior.

How to store leftover garlic bread

Garlic bread is best stored at room temperature. In fact, refrigeration is not recommended, as the bread can dry out quickly and become crusty and even stale. If you need to store the bread for an extended period, then freezing is a better option than refrigeration to preserve its integrity.

To store garlic bread for up to three days, slice the loaf and let it cool to room temperature. Cooling first ensures you don’t trap excess condensation. Place the slices in an airtight bag and squeeze out the excess air before sealing.

If you have leftover garlic bread that you want to eat the next day, it can be stored in a ziplock bag and then heated in a toaster when you're ready to eat it.

You can also store garlic bread in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four or five days, but it is best enjoyed fresh.

How to make garlic bread in an oven

Ingredients:

• Bread of your choice (Italian, French, Ciabatta, Baguette, etc.)
• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Garlic (freshly minced or garlic powder)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Other herbs and spices (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Cut your chosen bread into slices or halves that will fit easily into the oven.
• In a small bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, and any desired herbs and spices. You can also add Parmesan cheese to this mixture for extra flavour.
• Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut surfaces of the bread.
• Place the bread into the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy.
• If desired, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of the bread during the final minute of cooking to melt the cheese.
• Remove the garlic bread from the oven, cut into slices if needed, and serve warm.

Tips:

• For softer garlic bread, wrap the buttered bread in aluminium foil before placing it in the oven. This will result in a softer, less toasted texture.
• If you want a more crispy texture, avoid wrapping the bread in foil and place it directly into the oven. This will allow the bread to get toasted all over.
• You can customise your garlic bread by adding different herbs and spices to the butter mixture, such as red pepper flakes, dried basil, or parsley.
• If you prefer your garlic bread with cheese, you can add shredded mozzarella or any other type of cheese to the butter mixture, or sprinkle it on top during the final minute of cooking.

How to make garlic bread without an air fryer or an oven

Garlic bread is a delicious side dish that can be made without an air fryer or an oven. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make it using a skillet or stovetop:

Ingredients:

• French bread (soft crust)
• Fresh garlic cloves (finely minced)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (bottled)
• Chicken bouillon (without MSG)
• Salted butter (softened/melted)
• Italian parsley (chopped)

Instructions:

• Slice the French bread into pieces and set them aside.
• In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the garlic butter spread until well combined. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your taste preferences.
• Brush the garlic butter spread onto the French bread slices.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet or a regular pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Place the garlic bread in the skillet, spread side down.
• Toast the bread for about 2 minutes, using tongs to check for doneness. Continue toasting until the garlic bread is golden brown.
• Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Tips for Perfect Garlic Bread:

• Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a bolder, more infused garlic flavour. Finely mince the garlic to ensure it infuses the bread well.
• Adding chicken bouillon to the garlic butter adds a savoury, restaurant-like depth of flavour.
• A cast-iron skillet is ideal as it retains heat well and creates even crispness, but a regular pan will also work.
• Toasting the bread on medium heat is essential; too high, and the bread will burn before crisping, and too low won't create a golden crust.

Enjoy your homemade garlic bread! It's a quick, easy, and delicious side dish that can be made without an air fryer or an oven.

Frequently asked questions