Air-Frying Garlic Bread: The Perfect Temperature

Garlic bread is a delicious side dish, but it can be a hassle to preheat the oven just to cook it. Fortunately, an air fryer can cook garlic bread in a fraction of the time, with some recipes taking as little as 5 minutes to cook. The air fryer's ability to circulate heat ensures that the bread is crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside. In this article, we will explore the optimal temperature and duration for cooking garlic bread in an air fryer, as well as some tips and tricks to enhance your garlic bread-making experience.

Frozen vs. fresh garlic bread

Air-fried garlic bread is a quick and easy dish to make, and it can be made with either frozen or fresh garlic bread. The main difference between the two is the cooking time, with frozen garlic bread taking a little longer to cook through than fresh.

Frozen Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer

Frozen garlic bread can be cooked straight from the freezer with no need to wait for the oven to preheat. It is a super simple recipe, with the whole process taking just about 5 minutes. Frozen garlic bread should be cooked in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 350-380 degrees F. It should be golden brown and crisp around the edges.

Fresh Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer

Fresh garlic bread cooks faster than frozen and is a great way to get crispy, toasted garlic bread without having to preheat the oven. It takes around 4-7 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 350 degrees F.

Tips for the Best Air-Fried Garlic Bread

• Use aluminium foil or parchment paper to line the base of the air fryer to prevent the base of the bread from crisping up too much.
• If you like your garlic bread cheesy, add the cheese with just 1-2 minutes left to cook.
• If you're cooking multiple batches, the second batch will cook faster as the air fryer will be hot, so reduce the heat and keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
• If you're using frozen garlic bread with cheese, cook the bread first and then sprinkle with cheese, returning to the hot air fryer for 1 minute.
• If you're using fresh bread, spread the garlic butter on each baguette slice before placing them in the air fryer.

How long to cook for

The cooking time for garlic bread in an air fryer depends on whether the bread is frozen or fresh, and whether you are cooking slices or a whole loaf.

For frozen garlic bread, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and place the bread in the air fryer basket. If you are cooking slices, 5 minutes should be enough. If you are cooking a whole baguette, you may need up to 12 minutes. If you are adding cheese, add it with just 1 to 2 minutes left to cook.

For fresh garlic bread, the cooking time is shorter. You can cook fresh garlic bread in an air fryer for 5-10 minutes. If you are cooking slices, 5 minutes should be enough. If you are cooking a whole loaf, you may need up to 10 minutes. Again, if you are adding cheese, add it with just 1 to 2 minutes left to cook.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have, so it is important to keep an eye on your garlic bread while it is cooking to ensure it doesn't burn.

What temperature to cook at

The optimal temperature for cooking garlic bread in an air fryer depends on the type of bread used and the desired level of crispiness. For frozen garlic bread, the recommended temperature is between 350 and 380 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, the bread should be cooked for around 5 to 8 minutes for a crispy texture. If you prefer your garlic bread on the softer side, you can cook it at a lower temperature of 360 degrees Fahrenheit for a slightly longer duration of 10 to 12 minutes.

For fresh, non-frozen garlic bread, a higher temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit is suggested for a cooking time of about 5 minutes. This temperature ensures that the bread gets crispy without burning. It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of bread used. For example, thicker slices of bread or a whole loaf may require a few extra minutes.

When cooking garlic bread in an air fryer, it is generally recommended to avoid wrapping the bread in foil as it can prevent even browning and crispiness. The air fryer's circulation of heat ensures that the bread cooks evenly and achieves a desirable texture, with a soft and fluffy middle and a crispy exterior.

Additionally, if you're using cheese, it's best to add it towards the end of the cooking process. This prevents the cheese from burning and allows it to melt evenly. Overall, the temperature and cooking time for garlic bread in an air fryer can be adjusted based on personal preferences and the specific type of bread used.

How to prepare the bread

To prepare the bread, start by selecting your loaf. French bread, Italian pane bread, Texas toast-style slices, and wheat bread are all good options. You can also use pre-frozen garlic bread or make your own from scratch. If you're using a fresh loaf, cut the bread into slices or halves, depending on the size of your air fryer. If you're using frozen garlic bread, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to fit in your air fryer.

Next, prepare the garlic butter mixture. In a medium bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, and any desired seasonings, such as parsley or cheese. You can also use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. Spread the garlic butter mixture onto the cut sides of the bread. Be generous with the butter to ensure a tasty, crispy crust. If you're adding cheese, you can sprinkle it on top of the butter or add it later during the cooking process.

If you're making homemade garlic bread, you can also try slicing the bread in a Hasselback style. Cut parallel slits into the loaf, about 2 inches apart, without cutting all the way through, so the slices stay connected at the bottom. This will create more surface area for the butter and will make it easier to pull apart the bread once it's cooked.

Finally, decide whether you want to wrap the bread in foil. Foil can help to contain any mess, but some people prefer to cook the bread directly in the air fryer for a crispier texture. If you're using foil, place the buttered slices together, cut sides facing each other, and wrap them in foil before placing them in the air fryer.

What to serve it with

Air fryer garlic bread is a quick and easy dish to make, and it goes well with many meals. It is a great side to serve with a variety of dishes, especially those with sauces or dips that the bread can be used to scoop up.

Garlic bread is a classic side to serve with pasta dishes, especially those with tomato-based sauces. It pairs well with spaghetti bolognese, chicken Alfredo, and linguine and clam sauce. It is also a great addition to a simple pasta dinner, or to dip into a sauce.

For a hearty meal, serve garlic bread with beef stew, shrimp scampi, or beef and mushroom stroganoff. The bread can be used to soak up the sauces in these dishes. It also goes well with chicken, such as spinach-stuffed chicken breasts, or lemon butter salmon.

If you're a fan of dips, tzatziki sauce, cheese dip, and guacamole all pair well with garlic bread. You can also serve it with a soup, such as tomato soup, stuffed pepper soup, or cabbage soup.

Garlic bread is also a great side for meals with strong flavours, such as Cajun jambalaya, eggplant parmesan, or mushroom risotto. It can also be served with barbecue chicken, chicken vesuvio, or pulled pork.

For a simple meal, serve garlic bread with a salad, such as a caprese salad or a big hearty salad. It can also be a side for a steak, or used to make a steak sandwich.

Frequently asked questions