Air Fryer Garlic Bread – The Best Homemade Side Dish

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful side dish, Air Fryer Garlic Bread is the answer. This easy recipe delivers crispy edges, a soft buttery center, and bold garlic flavor in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Air Fryer Garlic Bread is fast, simple, and incredibly satisfying. The air fryer creates perfectly golden edges without heating up your oven, while the garlic butter mixture is rich, aromatic, and family-friendly. It pairs beautifully with pasta, soups, salads, or grilled dishes.

Ingredients

Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Bread topped with parsley and cheese. A simple homemade side dish ready in minutes.
Perfect air fryer side dish garlic bread
  • 1 baguette or Italian bread, sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  2. Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
  4. Place the bread in the air fryer basket, cut side up, and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and bubbly. This method ensures perfect Air Fryer Garlic Bread every time.
  5. Remove, cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.
Air Fryer Garlic Bread sliced and golden with melted butter and herbs. This homemade air fryer side dish looks crispy and perfectly cooked.
Crispy homemade Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra crispiness, cook for an additional 1–2 minutes.
  • Use Italian seasoning instead of parsley for a different flavor profile.
  • Add mozzarella for a cheesy garlic bread variation.
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking.

Details

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 slices
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, Halal-friendly
Close-up of homemade Air Fryer Garlic Bread with garlic butter and Parmesan. The bread has golden edges and a soft center.
Easy garlic bread made in the air fryer

Notes

Serve this garlic bread alongside pasta, soups, or salads. You can also brush the bread lightly with olive oil before adding the garlic butter for deeper flavor.

Nutrition (Approximate, per serving)

  • Calories: 210
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fat: 14 g

FAQ

Can I make Air Fryer Garlic Bread without Parmesan?
Yes, you can omit the cheese or replace it with mozzarella or dairy-free alternatives.

What bread works best for air fryer garlic bread?
Baguette and Italian bread hold up best and crisp beautifully.

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, use 1 teaspoon garlic powder if fresh garlic is unavailable.

Do I need to flip the bread in the air fryer?
No, cooking cut-side up ensures even browning and prevents butter from melting off.

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the garlic butter mixture in advance and store it refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Storage

Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 2–3 minutes until warmed and crisp.

Freshly cooked Air Fryer Garlic Bread served warm and sliced. A quick and easy garlic bread recipe made in the air fryer.
Golden and buttery air fryer garlic bread

Similar Recipes

Air Fryer Garlic Bread – The Best Homemade Side Dish

Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Bread in under 10 minutes
Made with butter, garlic, and Parmesan
Perfect easy side dish for any meal
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian-American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 baguette or Italian bread sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  • Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
  • Place the bread in the air fryer basket, cut side up, and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and bubbly. This method ensures perfect Air Fryer Garlic Bread every time.
  • Remove, cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.

Notes

Serve this garlic bread alongside pasta, soups, or salads. You can also brush the bread lightly with olive oil before adding the garlic butter for deeper flavor.

 

Conclusion

This Air Fryer Garlic Bread is proof that simple ingredients can create amazing flavor. Crispy, buttery, and packed with garlic goodness, it’s a side dish you’ll want to make again and again.

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