Air-Fried Cheesy Garlic Bread: Quick, Crispy, Cheesy Delight!

Cheesy garlic bread is a delicious snack or side dish that can be made in an air fryer in under 20 minutes. This easy recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and can be customised to your taste. The air fryer method is faster than using an oven and delivers a super crispy texture.

Choosing the right bread

Type of Bread

The best options for garlic bread in an air fryer are French bread or a French baguette. These types of bread have a chewy crust that becomes beautifully crispy in the air fryer while maintaining a soft and chewy interior. Their long and thin shape also makes them ideal for slicing into perfectly sized pieces for garlic bread. Alternatively, you can use Italian bread, which has a similar texture and will also produce excellent results. If you want a texture similar to Texas toast, opt for a French loaf instead.

Bread Texture

The texture of the bread you choose will impact the final result. If you prefer your garlic bread with a softer texture, go for fresh bread. However, if you like your garlic bread with a crispier and chewier texture, opt for day-old bread. The air fryer will give it that perfect golden crispness on the outside while keeping the inside soft and chewy.

Bread Size

When selecting a loaf of bread, consider the size of your air fryer. You'll want to cut the bread into pieces that fit easily into your air fryer without overcrowding. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cut the bread in half or into smaller pieces. It's important to leave some space between the pieces to allow for proper air circulation, ensuring that all sides of the bread get crispy.

Bread Thickness

For garlic bread in an air fryer, it's best to choose a thicker slice of bread. Thicker slices, such as those from a French baguette or Italian loaf, can better withstand the weight of the toppings and provide a more substantial base for the garlic butter and cheese. Avoid using thin sandwich bread, as it may not hold up well under the toppings and could burn more easily.

Staleness

While fresh bread is always a tempting choice, slightly stale bread can actually be preferable for garlic bread. Stale bread has lost some of its moisture, resulting in a drier texture that is ideal for toasting and crisping up in the air fryer. If you have fresh bread, you can let it sit out for a day to dry out slightly before using it for garlic bread.

Experimentation

While the above recommendations provide a solid starting point, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread to find your perfect match. Try using crusty bread, wheat bread, or even Texas toast-style slices to discover which bread suits your taste preferences and cooking setup the best.

Preparing the garlic butter spread

Firstly, take a large bowl and add the butter, which should be at room temperature and super soft. If your butter is not soft enough, you can microwave it for a few seconds to soften it. Using a fork, start mashing the butter until it becomes smooth. You can also use a whisk to mix the butter.

Next, add in the olive oil, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix these ingredients together with the butter until they are well combined. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences. For example, if you like your garlic bread extra garlicky, you can add more garlic.

Now, it's time to add the star ingredient: garlic. Minced garlic is preferred, and you can use either bottled or fresh minced garlic. Fresh garlic will give your garlic butter spread a more intense flavor. Add the garlic to the bowl and mix it well with the other ingredients.

Your garlic butter spread is now ready to be applied to the bread! Generously spread it on the slices of French baguette or any bread of your choice. You can also add some shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top of the garlic butter for an extra cheesy treat.

Once you have prepared the garlic bread slices, preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, and then place the slices inside. Make sure to place them in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other, so the hot air can circulate and crisp up the bread evenly.

Air fry the garlic bread at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bread. If you want a softer texture, air fry for 3-4 minutes, and for golden crisp edges, go for the full 5 minutes.

And that's it! Your homemade garlic butter spread is ready to be enjoyed with your freshly made air fryer garlic bread.

Applying the spread to the bread

Now for the fun part: applying the spread to the bread. First, you'll want to slice your bread in half lengthwise. If you're using a baguette, you may also want to cut it into two or three pieces to fit in your air fryer. If you're using a softer bread, like ciabatta, you can simply slice it in half.

Next, take your garlic butter spread and generously apply it to the cut sides of the bread. Be sure to get right to the edges so that every bite is garlicky and buttery.

At this point, you can also add some shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top of the butter for an extra cheesy treat. However, this is completely optional, and your garlic bread will still be delicious without it.

Place the bread in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the slices are in a single layer and not touching. This will allow the hot air to circulate and ensure that your bread gets crispy all the way around.

Adding cheese and other toppings

To make the garlic bread extra crispy, you can place the bread with garlic butter in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding the cheese and air-frying for an additional 5 minutes. This will give the edges a crispier texture.

If you want to make your garlic bread extra cheesy, you can add more cheese on top. You can also try using different types of cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of cheeses to find your favorite.

When it comes to toppings, you can get creative! Some people like to add pepperoni or other meats on top of their garlic bread. You can also try adding different types of herbs or spices to the garlic butter, such as oregano or red pepper flakes.

Don't be afraid to experiment and add your own twist to this classic dish!

Cooking in the air fryer

Air fryer garlic bread is a quick and easy dish to make, and it goes perfectly with pasta or soup. It is also a great snack on its own. The air fryer saves time as you don't need to preheat the oven, and it cooks faster than an oven. It is also a convenient way to cook garlic bread if your oven is being used for something else.

To make garlic bread in the air fryer, first prepare the garlic butter by mixing softened butter with garlic, herbs, and cheese. You can use a fork to mix everything until it is well combined. For the herbs, you can use dried basil, dried parsley, or fresh parsley. As for the cheese, mozzarella and parmesan are great options, but you can use any type of cheese you like. You can also add some red pepper flakes to the mixture for a little spice. Spread the garlic butter mixture on the bread, making sure to be generous. You can use a French baguette, Italian bread, or any crusty bread of your choice.

Once the bread is prepared, place the slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. This is important to allow the air to circulate and ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the bread for 3-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your garlic bread. If you want a softer texture, cook for 3-4 minutes, and for golden crisp edges, cook for 5 minutes. If you are adding cheese, put it on top of the bread for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.

You can serve the garlic bread as soon as it comes out of the air fryer, or you can let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. It is best enjoyed warm, and it goes great with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply put the bread back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is warmed through.

Frequently asked questions