Air Fryer Garlic Bread

This recipe for homemade air fryer garlic bread is unbelievably good! Makes the most crisp and cheesy bread ever with savoury garlic flavour! French baguettes are slathered with a garlic butter spread and air fried for four minutes only. Works as a quick and easy side for your pasta dinner or soup.

Want more easy sides made in the air fryer? Check out these crispy cauliflower steaks or these smashed potatoes.

There's something so comforting about hunks of hot, fresh bread topped with butter, gooey cheese and garlic. It goes with almost any meal and is great as a quick snack on its own. I used to buy my garlic bread from the bakery section at Superstore, but honestly, ever since I've started making it in my air fryer, I am not tempted to even look at it in the store.

This homemade garlic bread using a French baguette is head and shoulders above what you'll find at the supermarket. And not only because of the superior taste. It is SO DARN EASY!! Really, there's no excuse not to make it, especially if you have an air fryer already.

Ingredients

Note: exact amounts are mentioned in the recipe card further down.

• French baguette
• Fresh raw garlic, minced - chopped garlic tends to burn in the air fryer, so minced is best.
• Salted butter, softened
• Dried parsley flakes - you can use finely chopped fresh parsley too.
• Cheddar cheese, grated - I use the pre-grated cheese that comes in a bag, but if you want, you can buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

Instructions

Preparation

• Slice up the baguette into thick slices using a bread knife.
• Mince the garlic. A garlic press comes in handy here and makes the job really easy.

Assembling

• Put the softened butter in a bowl, and add the minced garlic, cheddar cheese, and parsley flakes. Mix well with a fork. The garlic butter spread is ready.
• Slather this spread in a thick layer on the bread. Make sure to cover the whole surface of the bread. Repeat for all the slices.

Cooking

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 F. Place the bread in the basket and air fry for 3-4 minutes only. Serve hot!

Oven Instructions

Don't have an air fryer? No worries! Garlic bread can be made in your oven too with the same results. Here's how:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Cut the baguette into thick slices.
• Spread the garlic butter in a thick layer on all the slices of bread.
• Arrange the bread on a sheet pan or baking tray in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes or until crisped up.

Tip: if you want the cheese to brown up, switch to the broiler setting (high) on your oven and keep the bread in the oven for 25-30 seconds more. Remove when you see brown spots appearing on the surface.

Substitutions

• Instead of a baguette, you can go for ciabatta, or even sourdough bread.
• Swap the cheddar for a four-cheese blend or parmesan if you like. Or skip the cheese entirely!
• Don't have parsley? Use thyme, rosemary, or basil.

Top tips

• Real butter works best in this recipe. Margarine or butter substitutes just don't cut it!
• Again, for the best flavor and taste, use raw garlic and mince it using a garlic press. Garlic powder comes in a poor second but can be used in a pinch.
• This recipe uses half a baguette, but if you want to use up the whole baguette, double the ingredients for the garlic butter spread, and make it in two batches in your air fryer.
• Make the garlic bread just before you plan on serving it. If left to sit out for too long, it will harden.
• Of course, you can always prep in advance: spread the garlic butter on the bread and keep it covered in the fridge for later. Then, just toss it in the air fryer when you're ready to eat.

Air fryer tips

• Every air fryer has slightly different cooking times, so the time is a guide only. Do adjust it according to the way your air fryer works.
• Lay the bread in a single layer and don't overcrowd the basket so the hot air has a chance to circulate. I have a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex which is roomier than other brands, so half a baguette fits in nicely in the basket.

Serving suggestions

Pair this air fryer garlic bread with your favourite pasta dish or soup. Here are a few recipes that go very well with it: