Cheesy, garlicky, and golden-brown—this Air Fryer Garlic Bread delivers the perfect crunchy exterior and soft, gooey interior. Made with simple ingredients and an air fryer, it browns evenly and melts the cheese just right every time.
Whether paired with pasta, dunked in soup, or served as a starter with marinara, this pull-apart garlic bread is a go-to recipe. Once you try the air fryer method, you may prefer it to the oven because it’s faster and yields reliably crisp results.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 20–30 minutes without heating the oven.
- Perfectly crisp: The air fryer circulates hot air for even browning and a non-soggy center.
- Crowd-pleaser: Buttery, garlicky, and melty—always popular.
- Versatile: Serve it as a side, snack, or appetizer with many dishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for full ingredient amounts and the step-by-step instructions.
- 1 loaf French bread – French, Italian, or ciabatta work well; choose a crusty loaf with structure.
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened – Softened butter spreads easily into the cuts.
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced – Fresh or pre-minced in a pinch.
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped – Or substitute dried parsley to taste.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – Freshly grated melts best and gives a great cheese pull.
- Optional: A drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped olives
- Sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions
- Pepperoni or sun-dried tomatoes
How to Make Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Cut the loaf in a crosshatch (diamond) pattern, slicing almost all the way through but not completely.
- Mix the butter, garlic, salt, and parsley in a bowl until smooth.
- Spread the mixture into each cut using a small spatula or pastry brush.
- Stuff each crack with shredded mozzarella cheese, reserving a bit of the butter mixture for later.
- Wrap in foil and air fry for 15 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Unwrap, brush with remaining butter mixture, then air fry uncovered for 5–8 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp.
- Serve hot—slice or pull apart and enjoy.
Tips for Success
✔️ Use sturdy bread – avoid soft sandwich bread; choose a loaf that will hold the fillings.
✔️ Watch the second fry – air fry uncovered just until the crust crisps to avoid burning.
✔️ Try other herbs – swap parsley for basil, oregano, or chives for a different flavor profile.
✔️ Grate cheese fresh – freshly grated mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded varieties.
✔️ Make-ahead – prepare and stuff the bread, wrap it in foil, and refrigerate for a few hours before air frying.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed and crisp again.
What to Serve With Garlic Bread
- Spaghetti, lasagna, or fettuccine alfredo
- Tomato soup or chicken noodle soup
- Salads like Caesar or chopped Italian
- Steak, roasted chicken, or grilled pork
- Serve it on its own with marinara for dipping
Pull-Apart Garlic Goodness—Your New Favorite Appetizer
This air fryer garlic bread is quick, cheesy, and far better than store-bought. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again. Try it with your favorite pasta or soup, or enjoy it straight from the air fryer.
RECIPE
Cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread (Pull-Apart Style)
Quynh Nguyen
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Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread (or baguette)
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
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Slice the bread: Cut the loaf in a crosshatch (diamond) pattern, making diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart and stopping before you cut through the bottom.
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Make the garlic butter: In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and chopped parsley until smooth.
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Stuff the bread: Gently open the cuts and spread the garlic butter into each gap. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of butter, then stuff shredded mozzarella into the cracks.
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Air fry wrapped: Wrap the loaf tightly in foil and air fry for 15 minutes to melt the cheese.
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Unwrap and crisp: Remove the foil, brush the reserved garlic butter over the top, and air fry uncovered for 5–8 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp.
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Serve hot: Slice or pull apart and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Don’t cut all the way through—leave the base of the loaf intact so it holds together.
- Use softened butter so it spreads easily into the cuts.
- Try different cheeses such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Parmesan for variation.
- Customize the flavor with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, or roasted garlic.
- No air fryer? Bake at 375°F: wrap in foil and bake 15 minutes, then unwrap and bake 5–10 minutes until crisp.