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This air fryer garlic bread comes out of the air fryer beautifully golden, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with buttery flavor in every bite. A French loaf is spread with a homemade garlic butter that’s rich with parmesan, parsley and just the right amount of garlic. Using the air fryer makes the process quick and easy, so you can whip up this favorite side dish any time. You’ll find this buttery garlic bread tastes so much better than store-bought frozen garlic bread.
Air fryer garlic bread is crisp on the outside, soft inside and generously loaded with buttery garlic flavor. This easy recipe makes a quick, tasty side dish for any meal.
You might also like a garlic herb bread wreath, mushroom focaccia, honey bun cake, cheddar chive dinner rolls, and French bread rolls.
Why You’ll Love It
Fast cooking: The air fryer makes garlic bread in just minutes.
Crispy texture: Perfect balance of crunch and softness.
Homemade flavor: Fresh garlic, parsley, and parmesan make it special.
Customizable: Change up herbs, cheese, or bread to suit your taste.
Air Fried Garlic Bread Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
French bread: A crusty loaf gives the best texture.
Salted butter: Softened salted butter is easier to mix and spread than cold butter from the fridge, so leave it on the kitchen counter for a while before cooking.
Garlic: Freshly minced cloves for bold flavor.
Parmesan cheese: Shredded to melt into the butter. I recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
Fresh parsley: Freshly chopped for color and freshness.
Garlic salt: Enhances and balances the vibrant garlic flavor.
How to Make Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make garlic butter: Stir together softened butter, minced garlic, parmesan, parsley and garlic salt.
Prepare bread: Slice the loaf and spread each slice with a thick layer of the garlic butter mixture.
Air fry: Arrange in air fryer basket and cook garlic bread until golden brown.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free: Swap in your favorite gluten-free bread (this one works well!)
Butter: Use unsalted butter with a pinch of salt if preferred.
Cheese: Try romano or asiago cheese for a stronger flavor, or sprinkle mozzarella or extra parmesan on before air frying for extra cheesy garlic bread.
Herbs: Basil, chives or dried Italian seasoning can be used instead of parsley.
Garlic salt: If you don’t have this, you can use salt and garlic powder instead.
A touch of spice: Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the garlic bread before air frying.
Serving Suggestions
With pasta: Garlic bread goes nicely with pretty much any pasta dish, such as pasta alla gricia, pasta al forno or one of these fettuccine recipes. It’s one of the most delicious ways of carb-loading!
With a pizza: Pair sheet pan Caprese pizza or something more unusual like spaghetti pizza with your homemade garlic bread.
With soup: Enjoy air fryer garlic bread with hamburger soup or ham and bean soup. It’s great for dunking!
With favorite mains: It is delicious with Crockpot beef and broccoli or even a foil packet cod recipe.
How to Store Homemade Garlic Bread
Store: Let it cool completely and then store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container or resealable bag. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to crisp it up again.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the bread in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. It’s best used within 2 months.
Reheat: To reheat, pop it in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through and golden. You can do this with leftover fresh or frozen garlic bread, although you’ll need to cook frozen garlic bread a few minutes longer than fresh.
Top Tips
Soften butter first: This makes mixing easier and spreads more evenly.
Cook in batches: Avoid overcrowding for even browning.
Use fresh garlic: It makes a big difference in flavor.
Watch closely: Air fryers vary, so check early to prevent over-browning.
Easy Air Fryer Garlic Bread FAQs
Yes, prepare up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge.
A crusty French loaf or baguette gives the best balance of soft and crisp. You could also try Italian bread or homemade soda bread or sourdough bread.
No, the hot air circulates evenly, so flipping isn’t necessary.
Homemade Air Fryer Garlic Bread Recipe
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf French bread, 10-Ounce, sliced
- garlic butter, homemade, at room temperature
For the Garlic Butter
- 1 Stick salted butter, ½ Cup, at room temperature
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ Cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- ¼ Cup parsley, finely chopped, chop first then measure
- ¾ Teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
Make the Garlic Butter
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Stir together softened butter, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic salt until combined.
- Set aside for now.
Prepare the Garlic Bread
- Spread a thick layer of the seasoned butter on the top of each bread slice.
- Lay the bread slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air Fry the Garlic Bread
- Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes or until the tops turn golden brown. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Notes
Cook in batches: Avoid overcrowding for even browning.
Use fresh garlic: It makes a big difference in flavor.
Watch closely: Air fryers vary, so check early to prevent over-browning.
Nutrition
Air fryer garlic bread is one of the easiest and tastiest side dishes you can make. A quick garlic butter mix of parmesan, garlic, parsley and butter transforms a simple loaf into something special. The air fryer does the work in just minutes, delivering golden slices that are crunchy on the outside yet tender inside. This recipe is versatile, quick, and always delicious, making it a must-try for garlic bread fans.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
