Air Fryer Garlic Bread (Pull-Apart Style)
Cheesy, garlicky, and golden brown all over—this Air Fryer Garlic Bread is the crunchy, melty side dish that goes with just about everything. Made with simple ingredients and your air fryer, it comes out perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside every single time.
Whether you’re pairing it with pasta, dunking it in soup, or serving it as an appetizer with marinara sauce, this garlic bread is one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to. And honestly? Once you try it in the air fryer, you might never go back to the oven again.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 20 minutes—no need to heat the oven.
- Perfectly crisp: The air fryer circulates heat for even browning (no soggy middles here).
- Crowd-pleaser: Cheesy, buttery, and garlicky? Always a hit.
- Versatile: Serve it with dinner or make it a fun snack or appetizer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.
- 1 loaf French bread – French, Italian, or ciabatta all work. Something crusty with structure is best.
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened – Let it soften so it spreads easily.
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced – Or use pre-minced garlic in a pinch.
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped – Or sub dried parsley.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – For that classic melty pull! Freshly grated melts best.
- Optional: Add a little 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 fully.
- 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. Save a little butter mixture for later.
- Wrap in foil and air fry for 15 minutes.
- Unwrap, brush with remaining butter mixture, and air fry uncovered for another 5–8 minutes until crispy.
- Serve hot!
Tips for Success
✔️ Use sturdy bread – Skip sandwich bread. You want something that can hold all that buttery goodness.
✔️ Don’t over-bake – Keep an eye on it during the second air fry to avoid burning.
✔️ Add a variety of herbs – Swap parsley for basil, oregano, or chives.
✔️ Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
✔️ Make ahead tip: You can prep and stuff the bread, wrap it in foil, and refrigerate for a few hours before air frying.
How to Store and Reheat
Wrap leftovers in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and crispy 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
- Or serve it solo with marinara sauce for dipping!
Pull-Apart Garlic Goodness—Your New Favorite Appetizer
This Air Fryer Garlic Bread is quick, ridiculously cheesy, and better than anything store-bought. Once you try it, you’ll want to serve it with every meal—or just snack on it straight from the air fryer. Let me know in the comments if you give it a try, and don’t forget to pin it for later!
RECIPE
Cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread (Pull-Apart Style)
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
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 350°F.
- Slice the bread: Cut the loaf in a crosshatch (diamond) pattern. Make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart, stopping just before you cut through the crust.
- Make the garlic butter: In a bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and chopped parsley.
- Stuff the bread: Gently open the cracks in the bread with your fingers. Use a brush or spoon to spread the garlic butter mixture into each cut. Save about 1 tablespoon of butter for later. Then, stuff shredded mozzarella into each crack.
- Air fry wrapped: Wrap the bread tightly in foil and place it in the air fryer. Cook for 15 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Unwrap and crisp up: Remove the foil, brush the top with the reserved garlic butter, and air fry uncovered for 5–8 more minutes, or until the crust is golden and crisp.
- Serve hot: Slice or pull apart and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t cut all the way through the loaf—leave the base intact so it holds together.
- Use softened butter so it spreads easily into all the cracks.
- Try different cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Parmesan for variety.
- Customize the flavor with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, or roasted garlic.
- No air fryer? Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes wrapped in foil, then unwrap and bake another 5–10 minutes.
I served this amazing air fryer garlic bread with tomato soup and it was a big hit in this house.
This was another win for the air fryer! The garlic bread was perfection and went great with dinner!
Ummm this is genius. To say I am excited to make this is an understatement. Literally so excited!
This was perfect with my homemade soup tonight. Loved how easy it was to make.
This garlic bread looks like so much fun! I love that you can make it in the air fryer.