Air-Fryer Garlic Bread: Cooking Time Perfection

Garlic bread is a delicious side dish that can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep and maximum taste. The air fryer method is faster than the oven, saving time and energy, and the results are crispier and tastier. The best part is that you can cook frozen garlic bread straight from the freezer with no need to preheat the air fryer. So, how long does it take to cook garlic bread in an air fryer?

Frozen garlic bread in the air fryer

To cook frozen garlic bread in an air fryer, first, remove the bread from any packaging. It is important to note that the bread should be pre-sliced, as most air fryers cannot accommodate a whole loaf of bread or baguette. Place the frozen garlic bread in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you are cooking multiple batches, the second batch will cook faster as the air fryer will be hot, so you may want to reduce the heat and keep an eye on it to avoid burning.

Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook the frozen garlic bread for 5-6 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crisp. If you are using a different air fryer or the bread slices are different sizes, the cooking time may vary. For example, one source suggests cooking the bread for 2 minutes at 375°F, then rotating and cooking for an additional 6 minutes to prevent the top from burning.

You can add cheese to your frozen garlic bread by sprinkling it on top during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Leave the air fryer turned off after removing the bread, and the residual heat will melt the cheese. You can also add seasonings to your garlic bread, such as Italian herbs and spices or a spicy TexMex blend.

Air fryer temperature and time

The cooking time and temperature for garlic bread in an air fryer depend on the type of garlic bread you are cooking. Frozen garlic bread, for example, takes longer to cook than fresh garlic bread.

If you are cooking frozen garlic bread, it is recommended to cook it for 10-12 minutes at 360°F (180°C) if it is a baguette, or 5-8 minutes if it is sliced bread. You can also cook frozen garlic bread at a higher temperature of 380°F for 5-6 minutes, or even at 400°F for 5 minutes. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of garlic bread, so it is recommended to start with a few minutes less and then add more time as needed.

If you are cooking fresh garlic bread, it will take less time to cook. It is recommended to cook fresh garlic bread in the air fryer for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the bread slices and the power of your air fryer. If you are adding cheese to your fresh garlic bread, it is suggested to cook the bread first and then add the cheese for the final 1-2 minutes.

Additionally, while it is not necessary to preheat the air fryer before cooking frozen garlic bread, some people prefer to preheat the air fryer to get a crispier texture.

Preheat or not

Preheating an air fryer is a good idea if you want to reduce the overall cooking time. It is especially useful if you want to achieve a good sear on your food, such as when cooking steaks or burgers. Preheating the air fryer will ensure that the food is heated more thoroughly and evenly, resulting in a crispier texture.

However, preheating may not be necessary for all types of air fryers or recipes. Some air fryer manufacturers claim that their products do not require preheating, and in some cases, it may even lead to overcooking or drying out the food. For example, when cooking delicate foods like shrimp or tomatoes, it is better to cook them slowly without preheating the air fryer to avoid burning or drying them out.

Additionally, if you are cooking for an extended period, preheating may not be necessary. For instance, if you are roasting a chicken or baking a potato in the air fryer, the food will be in the appliance for a long time, so preheating is not required.

When it comes to garlic bread, there are mixed suggestions. Some sources recommend preheating the air fryer to achieve a crispy texture throughout the bread. They suggest that skipping the preheating step may result in the top of the bread browning too quickly before the bottom gets crispy. However, others claim that preheating is unnecessary, and garlic bread can be cooked directly in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy and flavorful dish.

Ultimately, the decision to preheat or not depends on your specific air fryer model, the recipe you are following, and your personal preferences. It may take some experimentation to determine what works best for your air fryer and the type of food you are cooking.

With or without foil

There are different approaches to using foil when making garlic bread in an air fryer. Some sources suggest not using foil, as it is better to allow the air to circulate and get the top and bottom of the bread crispy. Not using foil also means you avoid the risk of the bread being too soft. If you don't use foil, the garlic bread will cook in 5-10 minutes.

However, using foil does have its benefits. Wrapping the bread in foil will contain any buttery mess, and it will also result in a softer bread middle. If you use foil, the garlic bread will take around 15 minutes to cook.

Air fryer garlic bread recipes

Air fryer garlic bread is a quick and easy side dish that can be made with minimal prep. It is faster than the oven, saving time and energy, and results in a crispier texture. The air fryer's small size means it can be used to cook garlic bread without the guilt of turning on a large oven.

Ingredients:

• Bread (sliced)
• Butter (softened)
• Garlic (minced)
• Cheese (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

• Mix together the softened butter, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
• Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of the bread.
• Place the bread slices side by side in the air fryer basket or tray.
• If using cheese, add it to the top of the bread with 1-2 minutes of cooking time remaining.
• Cook for 5-10 minutes at 350-400°F. The bread should be crispy and golden brown.
• Remove the garlic bread from the air fryer and cut into slices.

Tips:

• Frozen garlic bread can be cooked straight from the freezer and will take about 5-10 minutes in the air fryer.
• For extra crispy bread, preheat the air fryer before adding the bread.
• If you prefer your garlic bread toasted on both sides, wrap the buttered bread in foil before placing it in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions