Air Fryer Garlic Bread

a white plate full of cheesy garlic bread slices.

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!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian Inspired

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Total Time 10

Servings

Calories 510

Author Ashlyn Edwards | Belle of the Kitchen

Equipment

1 Air Fryer

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

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.)

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