Air Fryer Garlic Bread is the perfect, easy side dish for almost any meal! Crusty bread is coated in butter, garlic, and pesto, then topped with a blend of cheeses before cooking for just a few minutes in the air fryer. This will be your new favorite way to make homemade garlic bread!

For more Air Fryer Recipes, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, Meatloaf in the Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Fish Tacos.

a white plate full of cheesy garlic bread slices.

This savory, cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread has quickly become a family favorite at our house. I make this multiple times a week and my kids can easily polish off an entire loaf in one meal. It’s that good!

a piece of garlic bread being pulled apart.

We of course love to enjoy this homemade garlic bread with a big bowl of pasta, but it’s truly delicious enjoyed alongside almost any meal.

It goes perfectly with a steaming bowl of soup, a plate of mashed potatoes and Mississippi Pot Roast, simply on its own dipped into marinara sauce, or spread with some tomato confit. You really can’t go wrong!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Garlic Bread

A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.

  • loaf of Italian or French bread
  • butter
  • garlic
  • prepared pesto
  • mozzarella cheese
  • parmesan cheese
  • Colby jack cheese
  • Italian seasoning, optional
ingredients laid out on a counter top.

How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Bread – Step by Step

A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.

  1. Combine the melted butter with the garlic and pesto.
  2. Spread over the bread slices.
  3. Combine the cheeses in a large bowl then sprinkle over the top of each bread slice. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, if using.
  4. Air fry in batches for 3-4  minutes at 350 degrees.
a glass bowl full of pesto, butter, and garlic with a whisk.
a spatula brush rubbing garlic butter onto bread slices.
bread slices topped with garlic butter on a counter top.
a glass bowl of mixed cheeses.
slices of garlic bread topped with cheese.
an air fryer basket full of garlic bread slices.

Garlic Bread in Air Fryer – Tips and Notes

  • The best bread for homemade garlic bread in is any type of crusty, sturdy bread you enjoy. I like Italian, French, sourdough, or even ciabatta bread.
  • The pesto and Italian seasoning are optional. I LOVE the flavor that the pesto adds, but you can leave it out if you don’t have any on hand. The sprinkle of Italian seasoning at the end is also optional; my kiddos prefer their garlic bread without it.
  • Mix up the cheeses or leave it off. I like to use whatever kind of cheese I have on hand for topping my garlic bread, so feel free to do the same. Also, don’t worry about the cheese blowing off inside the air fryer. The garlic pesto butter helps hold the cheese in place.
  • Serving ideas: This Air Fryer Garlic Bread pairs perfectly with so many things! We love it with pasta, a bowl of marinara for dipping, and for soaking up a big bowl of Lasagna Soup.
an air fryer basket full of garlic bread slices.

Storing and Freezing

Any leftover garlic bread can be wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container and stored on the counter top for up to three days. You can also store leftovers in the fridge. Reheat your garlic bread in air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350.

To freeze, place prepared (but uncooked) slices of garlic bread in a single layer on a large cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Freeze for one hour. Now you can stack the frozen slices in a ziplock bag or freezer safe container and freeze for up to three months. See instructions below for preparing frozen garlic bread in the air fryer.

a piece of garlic bread being pulled apart.

FAQs

How long to cook garlic bread in the air fryer?

Air fry your freshly prepared slices of garlic bread for 3-4 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to make frozen garlic bread in the air fryer?

If you have frozen slices of prepared garlic bread, you can cook them directly in the air fryer; no need to thaw them first! Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes.

garlic bread slices on a green plate next to a bowl of marinara.
a piece of garlic bread being dipped in marinara sauce.

More Easy Side Dishes You Should Try!

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!

a white plate full of cheesy garlic bread slices.
5 from 6 ratings

Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Air Fryer Garlic Bread is the perfect, easy side dish for almost any meal! Crusty bread is coated in butter, garlic, and pesto, then topped with a blend of cheeses before cooking for just a few minutes in the air fryer. This will be your new favorite way to make homemade garlic bread!
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Ingredients

  • 1 loaf Italian or French bread, sliced into 3/4-1 inch thick slices
  • 1/2 cup butter, 1 stick, melted
  • 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon prepared basil pesto
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Colby jack cheese
  • Italian seasoning, optional
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Instructions
 

  • Combine the melted butter with the minced garlic and pesto in a small bowl. Spread the garlic, butter, and pesto mixture onto each slice of bread. Garnish with fresh parsley
  • In a large bowl mix the shredded mozzarella, Colby jack, and parmesan together. Sprinkle a generous helping of the cheese onto each slice of bread and sprinkle with a little Italian seasoning, if using.
  • Place the bread slices into the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches for 3-4  minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Notes

  • The best bread for homemade garlic bread in air fryer is any type of crusty, sturdy bread you enjoy. I like Italian, French, sourdough, or even ciabatta bread.
  • The pesto and Italian seasoning are optional. I LOVE the flavor that the pesto adds to this air fryer garlic bread recipe, but you can leave it out if you don’t have any on hand. The sprinkle of Italian seasoning at the end is also optional; my kiddos prefer their garlic bread without it.
  • Mix up the cheeses or leave it off. I like to use whatever kind of cheese I have on hand for topping my garlic bread, so feel free to do the same. Also, don’t worry about the cheese blowing off inside the air fryer. The garlic pesto butter helps hold the cheese in place.
  • Storing and reheating: Any leftover garlic bread can be wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container and stored on the counter top for up to three days. You can also store leftovers in the fridge. Reheat your garlic bread in air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350.
  • Freezing: To freeze, place prepared (but uncooked) slices of garlic bread in a single layer on a large cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Freeze for one hour. Now you can stack the frozen slices in a ziplock bag or freezer safe container and freeze for up to three months. Frozen garlic bread can be cooked in the air fryer at 350 for 5-7 minutes (no need to thaw first.)
Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Course: Side Dish
Author: Ashlyn Edwards | Belle of the Kitchen
Calories: 510kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 22g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 532mg, Potassium: 154mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 577IU, Vitamin C: 0.5mg, Calcium: 182mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @TheBelleoftheKitchen on Instagram or tag #BelleoftheKitchen.