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This cheesy garlic bread made in the air fryer lets you enjoy a crispy buttery crust with a gooey, cheesy center in under 15 minutes. No oven required and just a handful of simple ingredients make it a quick snack or side dish that pleases any crowd.
I first made this on a busy weeknight when I wanted something quick and cheesy. It was so good that it’s become a regular request around here, especially when we want something to dip in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- Italian bread or French baguette: choose thick slices roughly 2 inches to hold the toppings and stay sturdy — avoid sandwich sliced bread as it’s too thin
- Salted butter: real butter is key here to get that rich flavor and creamy spread — softened but not melted for easy mixing
- Garlic powder: a simple way to layer bold garlic flavor — fresh minced garlic works too if preferred
- Salt and pepper: optional seasonings to balance flavors, but adding just a little brings out the best in the butter
- Mayonnaise: this ingredient sounds odd but adds amazing creaminess that helps the cheese stay put during air frying
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: use a good melting cheese like Kraft Creamy Melt for perfect stretch and gooeyness other melting cheeses are fine too
- Dried parsley flakes: optional for a pop of color and light herbal note
Instructions
- Slicing the Bread:
- Slice your loaf of Italian bread or French baguette into pieces about 2 inches thick. These thick slices will hold all your toppings well without becoming soggy or falling apart.
- Mixing the Garlic Butter:
- In a bowl, combine the softened salted butter with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the garlic is evenly distributed and the butter is creamy. This garlic butter is the base of the flavor, so don’t skimp on it.
- Spreading the Butter on Bread:
- Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over each bread slice. Make sure to cover every corner to get that perfect garlic flavor in every bite.
- Preparing the Cheese Mixture:
- In another bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella cheese with mayonnaise. The mixture will look a bit clumpy, but that is exactly what helps the cheese melt with a creamy texture and stay put on the bread.
- Topping the Bread:
- Evenly distribute the mozzarella and mayo mixture over each slice of bread. Sprinkle dried parsley on top if you want a garnish that adds color and a light herbal aroma.
- Air Frying the Bread:
- Place the slices in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. Depending on your air fryer model, this might take slightly longer. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the basket so the bread cooks evenly.
- Serving:
- Serve the garlic cheese bread hot with marinara sauce on the side for dipping if desired. This adds a lovely tangy contrast to the richness of the cheese and butter.
The mayonnaise in this recipe is a game-changer. It took me a while to trust an ingredient like mayo in garlic bread, but it really enhances the creaminess and helps keep the cheese from flying all over the air fryer basket. One memorable time, I brought this dish to a family gathering, and everyone was so surprised by how perfectly melted and flavorful it was. It has become a requested recipe every time we meet.
Storage Tips
Allow leftover garlic bread to cool fully before wrapping tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, pop the slices back into the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you don’t have garlic powder, finely minced fresh garlic works well and provides a brighter garlic flavor. You can swap mozzarella with cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy twist. If you prefer, use unsalted butter and adjust salt to taste in the garlic butter mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside pasta dishes such as baked ziti, chicken spaghetti, or any tomato based pasta for a comforting meal. Use it as a dipper for hearty soups or chili to add a cheesy, garlic punch. Pair with a fresh green salad to balance out the richness for a lighter meal.
Enjoy the warm gooey garlic cheese bread straight from the air fryer. It pairs perfectly with marinara sauce for dipping.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What type of bread works best?
Thick slices of Italian or French bread hold the toppings well and develop a crisp crust. Avoid thin sandwich slices for best results.
- → Can I use different cheeses?
Mozzarella is preferred for its meltability, but you can swap with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite melting cheese.
- → Is fresh garlic better than garlic powder?
Fresh minced garlic adds a stronger flavor, but garlic powder offers convenience and works well in the butter mixture.
- → How do I reheat leftovers?
Simply place cooled garlic cheese bread in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp the bread and melt the cheese again.
- → What air fryer size is ideal?
A 6-quart basket is suitable for batches. Avoid overcrowding for even toasting and melted cheese.
- → How does mayonnaise affect the cheese?
Mayonnaise adds creaminess and helps the cheese stay in place during air frying without flying off.