This homemade air fryer garlic bread is crisp on the edges, soft in the middle, and tastes fresher than store-bought versions. You control the salt, the garlic, and the herbs, and you avoid the preservatives and heavy flavouring that many packaged garlic breads use.
Using an air fryer makes this recipe quick and reliable. It preheats fast, gives even browning, and you can cook a small batch without heating the whole oven.
Ingredients
For the garlic spread
- Butter
- Butter spread
- Fresh garlic, minced
- Garlic chives (optional)
- Salt
For the bread: - Bread slices (white, sourdough, baguette slices, or any sturdy bread)
Step by step instructions
- Add butter and butter spread to a bowl, add minced garlic and chopped chives, add salt, mix
2. Mix the garlic butter until smooth, scrape the sides, chill for 5 to 10 minutes if it feels too soft
3. Spread the garlic butter evenly on bread, cover edge to edge, keep the layer medium thick
4. Preheat the air fryer, place bread slices in a single layer, keep space between slices
5. Air fry until lightly golden, check at 6 minutes, serve warm while crisp
air fryer homemade garlic bread
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Spoon for mixing herbs
- Grater if using block of cheese
Ingredients
- 4 bread slices or 8 baguette slices
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup butter spread or use ½ cup butter total
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic chives chopped (optional)
- Salt to taste
Optional toppings:
- 2 to 3 tablespoons grated cheese mozzarella or cheddar
- Pinch of chilli flakes or black pepper
Instructions
- Make the spread: Add butter, butter spread, minced garlic, chives, and salt to a bowl, mix until smooth and creamy.
- Prep the bread: Spread an even layer on one side of each slice, press lightly so it sticks.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 170°C / 340°F for 5 minutes.
- Air fry: Place bread in a single layer, air fry at 160°C / 320°F for 6 minutes, then check and cook 1 more minute if needed.
- Optional cheese: Add cheese on top, air fry 1 to 2 minutes until melted.
- Serve: Rest 1 minute, serve warm.
- Storage: Store leftover garlic spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Video
Variations
- Cheesy garlic bread: Add grated mozzarella or cheddar on top in the last 1 to 2 minutes, air fry until melted.
- Extra herby: Add parsley, oregano, or mixed herbs to the butter mix.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of chilli flakes or black pepper to the spread.
- Baguette style: Slice a baguette on a slight angle, spread, then air fry for the same time and check early.
Substitutions
- Butter spread: Use all butter, or use a plant-based spread if you want a dairy-free option.
- Fresh garlic: Use garlic paste, or garlic powder if you want a smoother spread (start small, it can get strong).
- Garlic chives: Use chives, spring onion greens, or parsley.
- Bread: Use sourdough, multigrain, ciabatta, or regular sandwich bread (sturdier bread stays crisp longer).
FAQ
Keep the temperature at 160°C for the main cook, check at 6 minutes, and remove as soon as it turns lightly golden.
Yes, a short preheat helps the bread toast evenly and prevents it from turning dry.
Yes, store it covered in the fridge for up to 1 week, let it soften for a few minutes before spreading.
Yes, air fry at 160°C for 2 to 3 minutes, until warm and crisp again.
If you want quick garlic bread with a fresh, buttery taste, this homemade air fryer version is a simple upgrade from store-bought. Make the spread once, keep it in the fridge, and you can turn plain bread into a fast side or snack anytime.
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