Cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread (Pull-Apart Style)

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: people

Calories: 381kcal

Author: Quynh Nguyen

This pull-apart cheesy garlic bread is crispy on the outside, buttery and gooey on the inside, and cooks perfectly in the air fryer. The secret? French bread sliced into a crosshatch pattern and stuffed with garlic butter and mozzarella. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer or side that’s ready in under 25 minutes—no oven required!

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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

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.

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