This cheesy, buttery air fryer garlic bread is packed with fresh garlic, herbs, and parmesan for a burst of flavor. It’s crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, and ready in under 10 minutes. Whether you're serving it alongside pasta, homemade dairy-free tomato soup, or enjoying it on its own, this is the perfect side dish to elevate any meal!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Garlic Bread (10 Minutes!)
- 🕒 Ready In: 10 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 4 (easy to scale)
- 🍽 Calories: 250 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Bread (your choice), garlic, butter, parmesan, fresh herbs (optional), olive oil
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian, easy to make, gluten-free, quick side dish
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Quick, crispy, and packed with garlic flavor, this air fryer garlic bread is the perfect side for any meal. Plus, it’s customizable and ready in under 10 minutes!
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Air fryer garlic bread is a total game-changer in my kitchen. It’s cheesy, buttery, and crispy—everything garlic bread should be... no need to preheat your oven for 30 minutes! I love serving it with pasta, soups, or alongside dishes like my zucchini turkey meatballs or chicken broccoli pasta bake. It’s the perfect side to elevate any meal.
The best part? It only takes 5 to 7 minutes in the air fryer, no oven preheating required. The garlic caramelizes, and the cheese gets perfectly melty. You can use any bread you have on hand—baguettes, rolls, or even sandwich bread. Once you try it, you’ll never go back!
Jump to:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Made this tonight and it was amazing! The garlic butter was perfect and the bread came out super crispy in the air fryer. Took no time at all and honestly better than takeout garlic bread.
- Jenna
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes—no oven preheating required.
- Crispy & Buttery: Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft, melty on the inside.
- Customizable: Use any bread you have on hand (even gluten-free bread) and adjust the garlic or cheese to suit your taste.
- Perfect Pairing: Great as a side with pasta, soups, or even as a quick snack. I love it with my butternut squash and carrot soup.
- Easy Cleanup: Air fryer cooking means minimal mess and no greasy pans.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Bread: You can use any type of bread—baguettes, ciabatta, rolls, or even sandwich bread. Just slice it to your preferred thickness for the perfect crispiness.
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. It adds richness and helps achieve that perfect crispy texture.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor!! Trust me. Adjust the amount based on how garlicky you like it!
- Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan adds a savory, cheesy flavor that complements the garlic. Feel free to use any other hard cheese, like asiago or romano.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley or basil work great for added freshness, but dried herbs like oregano or Italian seasoning can be used as well.
- Olive Oil: A light drizzle of olive oil helps the garlic bread crisp up in the air fryer and adds a nice flavor.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact quantities of all ingredients.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread or a gluten-free baguette to keep it just as crispy and delicious.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap out the butter and cheese for dairy-free alternatives. Vegan butter and dairy-free cheese will give you the same great flavor and texture.
- Butter Substitute: Use vegan butter or olive oil to make the recipe dairy-free. You can also try garlic-infused olive oil for an extra punch of flavor.
- Cheese: Feel free to swap out parmesan for mozzarella, cheddar, or even vegan cheese to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme, rosemary, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add a fresh twist or a bit of heat.
- Roasted Garlic: If you prefer a milder flavor, roasted garlic works beautifully and adds a slightly sweet, caramelized taste.
- Make it Spicy: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a touch of cayenne for a hint of heat.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Ask AI for suggestions on how to substitute the particular ingredient.
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Step 1: Mix softened butter, minced garlic, half the parmesan, and parsley in a bowl.
- Step 2: Slice the baguette and spread the butter mixture on each piece.
- Step 3: Place the bread in the air fryer and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan.
- Step 4: Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Garnish with parsley, slice, and enjoy!
Top Tips
- Soften the Butter: Make sure the butter is fully softened before mixing—this makes it much easier to combine with the garlic and spread evenly on the bread. Let it sit at room temperature for about an hour.
- Fresh garlic is key: I always use fresh garlic for the best flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, garlic powder can still work. Just be mindful of the amount!
- Mix and match your cheeses: I love mixing mozzarella and parmesan for a melt-in-your-mouth experience, but feel free to experiment with your favorites—cheddar, gouda, or even a sprinkle of feta can take it up a notch!
- Serve Immediately: Garlic bread tastes best hot and fresh out of the air fryer while the bread is warm, the cheese is melted, and the edges are perfectly crisp.
What to Serve with Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a great side dish that goes with so many meals. Here are some tasty ideas:
- Pasta: Perfect with spaghetti, healthy chicken bolognese, lemon caper pasta, or this chicken pasta bake.
- Meatballs: These juicy air fryer turkey meatballs are a classic combo.
- Soup: Great with this dairy-free tomato soup or this one-pot lasagna soup.
- Chicken: Pairs super well with these crispy air fryer chicken thighs or this balsamic feta stuffed chicken.
- Seafood: Great with shrimp scampi, crab cakes, or grilled fish.
- Salad: Perfect alongside a mixed green salad or this blackened salmon Caesar salad.
- Pasta Salads: Serve it with chicken Caesar pasta salad for a complete meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can easily make dairy-free air fryer garlic bread by swapping out the butter for olive oil or garlic-infused olive oil. This option still ensures a crispy texture and rich garlic flavor while keeping it light and dairy-free. You can even use plant-based vegan butter.
For the best results, I recommend using a crusty baguette or ciabatta bread for air fryer garlic bread. However, you can use any bread you have—sandwich bread, sourdough, or gluten-free bread all work wonderfully. Just slice it to your preferred thickness.
Air fryer garlic bread usually takes just 5-7 minutes to cook, depending on your air fryer’s settings and the thickness of your bread. It’s quick and perfect for when you’re short on time!
To avoid sogginess, be sure to lightly butter the bread rather than soaking it. Also, ensure the bread is sliced thick enough to stay crisp, but not so thin that it dries out. A light drizzle of olive oil can also help maintain the crispiness.
Storage Tips
Store leftover air fryer garlic bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days—avoid refrigerating, as it can make the bread hard. For longer storage, wrap the bread in foil or plastic wrap, place it in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, set your oven, toaster oven, or air fryer to 350°F and heat for 5-10 minutes until warm and crispy.
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
If you loved this cirspy air fryer garlic bread recipe, try these next:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 4 - 5 tablespoon salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 - 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, more if desired
- 2 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 baguette, French bread or ciabatta
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, half of the parmesan, and parsley.
- Cut the loaf in half horizontally. Depending on the size of your air fryer, cut the baguette into quarters or a size that will fit into air fryer.
- Spread butter mixture over each piece of bread, place them in the air fryer, and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese on top.
- Air fry for 5 - 7 minutes, until golden and the cheese is slightly crispy on top.
- Garnish with extra parsley, cut into individually sized pieces (if desired), and enjoy!
Jenna says
Made this tonight and it was *amazing*! The garlic butter was perfect and the bread came out super crispy in the air fryer. Took no time at all and honestly better than takeout garlic bread.