Garlic Bread In The Air Fryer: Foil-Friendly?

Garlic bread is a popular side dish, especially with pasta and soup. It can be made in an air fryer in just a few minutes, and the results are crispy and toasty. But can you put it in foil? While it's safe to use foil in an air fryer, it's generally recommended not to wrap garlic bread in foil as it can prevent the bread from getting toasted all over. However, if you prefer softer garlic bread, wrapping it in foil and cooking it for a little longer can be a good option.

How to make garlic bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Bread ( baguette, ciabatta, French bread, Italian bread, or any sturdy loaf)
• Butter ( unsalted or salted)
• Garlic ( freshly minced or garlic powder)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Cut the bread to fit your air fryer. You can cut the bread in half or into slices.
• In a small bowl, mix softened butter with garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese (if using).
• Spread the garlic butter mixture onto the bread.
• Place the bread into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each slice.
• Air fry for 5-7 minutes, until the bread is golden and crispy. If adding cheese, add it during the last minute of cooking.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can use foil in the air fryer, but it may prevent the bread from getting crispy all over.
• If you're using frozen garlic bread, there's no need to thaw it first. Simply increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• To reheat leftover garlic bread, place it in the preheated air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.

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.

To store garlic bread, slice and let it cool to room temperature. Cooling first ensures you don’t trap in excess condensation. Place the slices in an airtight bag and squeeze out the excess air. It can be stored for up to 3 days on the counter.

To reheat garlic bread, wrap the leftover bread in foil and place on a baking sheet. If the bread is sliced, keep it in a single layer in the foil. Bake at 350°F until warmed through, about 10 to 15 minutes. The foil is necessary to protect the crust of the bread from being double-baked.

You can also reheat garlic bread in the microwave for only 10 seconds. However, do not heat it for too long, or it will become hard. It is best to consume the microwaved garlic bread immediately, as it becomes hard as it cools.

The best type of bread to use for garlic bread

The best type of bread for garlic bread is Italian or French bread. These types of bread have a soft, pillowy texture and thick slices, which make them perfect for garlic bread. You can also use a baguette, ciabatta, or Texas toast-style slices.

How to reheat garlic bread in an air fryer

If you have leftover garlic bread, you can reheat it in an air fryer. It's best to avoid reheating garlic bread in the microwave, as this can make it soggy and chewy.

To reheat your garlic bread in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Place your garlic bread inside the air fryer in a single layer.
• Reheat for 2-3 minutes, or until warm and toasty.

You can reheat frozen garlic bread in the same way, but increase the cooking time to around 7 minutes.

How to cook frozen garlic bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen garlic bread
• Mozzarella or a cream cheese and parmesan cheese mixture (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• If your frozen garlic bread is too big to fit in your air fryer, cut it into smaller pieces.
• Place the frozen garlic bread in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space around each piece so that air can circulate.
• Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes. The bread should be hot, golden, and crisp around the edges.
• If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it on top of the garlic bread after the initial 5 minutes. Leave the air fryer turned off and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, the second batch will cook faster as the air fryer will already be hot. Reduce the heat to 360°F (180°C) and keep an eye on the bread so it doesn't burn.
• Serve immediately!

Tips

• You can use plain frozen garlic bread or the type with cheese. Both will cook in around 5 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
• Don't defrost the garlic bread before cooking.
• Don't overcrowd your air fryer—there should be space around each piece of bread.
• If your air fryer starts to smoke, this is likely due to your garlic bread having a lot of butter. Simply add a little bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket and you should be fine.

Frequently asked questions