Air Fryer Garlic Bread

cheesy garlic bread in air fryer with melted Italian blend cheese

Crispy, cheesy air fryer garlic bread made with Italian bread, garlic butter, and melted Italian blend cheese. Ready in about 10 minutes with no oven needed — a fast side dish for pasta night, soup, or anytime you want warm garlic bread fast.

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, American/Italian-Inspired

Keyword: air fryer garlic bread

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 6

Servings:

Calories: 421kcal

Ingredients

1 loaf Italian bread
½ cup butter melted
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
Dried parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
Cut the loaf of bread into 1-inch slices.
Brush both sides of each slice generously with melted butter, then sprinkle with garlic powder.
Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray — do not stack.
Cook for 4 minutes, then remove the basket and flip each slice.
Top each slice with shredded Italian blend cheese.
Return to the air fryer and cook an additional 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden.
Remove from the air fryer and garnish with dried parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Single layer is important: Stacking bread blocks the hot air circulation that makes the crust crispy.

Butter temperature: Melted butter brushes on easily and soaks into the bread for better flavor than softened butter on this cut.

Garlic powder vs. fresh: Garlic powder distributes more evenly and won't scorch the way minced fresh garlic can at higher air fryer temps. Use it here.

Cheese timing: Adding the cheese in the last 2 minutes (rather than the start) prevents it from burning or drying out — you want it melted and golden, not browned.

Air fryer variation: Every air fryer runs a little differently. Check at the 4-minute flip. If your machine runs hot, reduce to 325°F.

Storage: Leftover garlic bread keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–3 minutes — do not microwave or it will go soft.

Freeze option: Prep and freeze unbaked slices (before air frying) on a sheet pan, then transfer to a bag. Cook from frozen at 350°F for 8–9 minutes, adding cheese in the last 2 minutes.

Nutrition