Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer
Garlic bread in the oven means heating a big shelf for 15 minutes, and a toaster or grill can scorch the garlic butter before the bread is warm. Garlic bread in air fryer baskets takes about 5 minutes at 180 °C, with a crisp crust, a soft middle and butter that melts into the crumb. This works for a homemade baguette, shop-bought frozen garlic bread and single slices.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 14min
- Prep
- 8min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 245kcal
Why the air fryer works for garlic bread
Cooking garlic bread in air fryer baskets suits a food that is mostly crust. The moving hot air dries and crisps the surface quickly, while the garlic butter melts into the crumb and bubbles on top. It heats up much faster than an oven, so a small portion is ready in 5 minutes and you don't need to wait for a shelf to warm.
It also copes well with shop-bought bread. Frozen garlic bread in air fryer baskets comes out crispier than from the oven, and you can cook a few slices on their own while the main dish is resting. For a plain loaf, see the bread recipe, and for plain slices see toast. The limit is length: a long baguette must be cut to fit the basket, and there is no room to stack the pieces.
How to make garlic bread in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Make the garlic butter Mix the softened butter with the crushed garlic, parsley and salt in a small bowl until smooth. The butter must be soft enough to spread easily without tearing the bread.
- Prepare the bread Cut the baguette to fit your basket, then slice it in half lengthways, or cut it into 8 slices without cutting all the way through. Spread the garlic butter generously over the cut sides.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . A hot basket crisps the underside straight away.
- Cook Place the bread in the basket buttered side up. Cook for , until the edges are deep golden and the butter is bubbling. Check after , because garlic butter browns quickly in an air fryer.
- Serve Slice the halves into pieces and serve straight away while the crust is crisp.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Garlic Bread | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade garlic baguetteCut to fit the basket | 180 °C | 4–6 min |
| Frozen garlic baguetteTurn halfway | 180 °C | 5–7 min |
| Frozen garlic bread slicesDo not stack them | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
| Garlic bread with cheeseAdd 50 g mozzarella for the last 2 min | 180 °C | 5–6 min |
| Sliced bread garlic toastThin slices burn fast | 180 °C | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Baking paper and foil in an air fryer
Tips
- Use soft butter, not melted. Soft butter stays on the bread and does not run into the basket. Melted butter makes the base soggy.
- Keep garlic fine. Crush or grate it finely, as chunks of raw garlic stay sharp and can burn on the surface.
- Cook frozen garlic bread unwrapped. Take it out of the paper or foil tray, unless the packet says otherwise, so the hot air can reach the crust.
Serving
Serve garlic bread with lasagne or a bowl of soup, or alongside meatballs and a green salad. It is also good next to chicken wings at a casual supper. Garlic bread in air fryer baskets is quick enough to cook while the main dish rests, which keeps it crisp.
Storing and reheating
Cooked garlic bread is best straight away, but leftovers keep for 1 day in an airtight container. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C) and crisp again. Uncooked garlic bread keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months, wrapped tightly in foil.
Variations
- Cheesy garlic bread: Scatter 50 g grated mozzarella or cheddar over the butter for the last 2 minutes, until melted and lightly golden.
- Garlic bread from sliced bread: Spread garlic butter on white sandwich slices and cook at 180 °C for 2–3 minutes. Cut each slice into triangles.
- Garlic naan or wrap: Brush the garlic butter on a naan bread or tortilla wrap and cook for 2–3 minutes at 180 °C.
Troubleshooting
- The garlic burns before the bread is crisp
- Garlic scorches at high heat. Lower the temperature to 170 °C, use finely crushed garlic spread thinly, and keep an eye on it after 4 minutes.
- The bread is hard and dry
- It has been in too long, or the baguette was already stale. Spread the butter right to the edges and cook for 1 minute less.
- The topping blows off
- Light slices can lift in the fan. Press the buttered sides together as a sandwich for the first 2 minutes, or use a rack on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does garlic bread take in an air fryer?
A homemade baguette half takes 4–6 minutes at 180 °C. Frozen garlic bread usually takes 5–7 minutes and slices 3–4 minutes, but check the packet for guidance.
Can you cook frozen garlic bread in an air fryer?
Yes, straight from frozen. Cook a frozen garlic baguette at 180 °C for 5–7 minutes, turning once, and frozen slices for 3–4 minutes. You do not need to defrost it.
Can you put garlic bread in foil in the air fryer?
You can, but foil keeps the bread soft. Cook it in foil for the first 3 minutes, then open the foil and cook for 2–3 minutes more for a crisp crust.
Can you cook garlic bread in an air fryer without a baguette?
Yes. Use sliced white bread, ciabatta, a bread roll or a split wrap. Thin bread needs only 2–3 minutes.
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