Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines two crowd favorites — garlic bread and pizza — in one snack
Uses the air fryer to cut cooking time and reduce fuss
Easy to adapt with your favorite toppings or cheeses
Great for quick lunches, appetizers, or an easy dinner

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Garlic butter (or softened butter + garlic)
Bread (baguette, French bread, or thick slices)
Pizza sauce or marinara
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Optional toppings (pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, onions, etc.)
Seasonings (Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, pepper)

Example Recipe Card (suggested quantities)

1 French baguette or half a loaf (or equivalent thick slices)
3 Tbsp butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
½ cup pizza sauce
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional toppings (e.g. 8–10 slices pepperoni, chopped vegetables)
½ tsp Italian seasoning
Pinch of salt & pepper

Directions

Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to about 375-400 °F (≈ 190-200 °C).
Prepare the bread base
- Slice the bread lengthwise (or into thick slices) so you have cut faces to top.
- Mix the softened butter with minced garlic (or garlic powder), a bit of salt, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture generously on the cut side(s) of the bread.
Toast the garlic bread base
Place the garlic-buttered bread in the air fryer, cut side up, and toast for about 3–4 minutes until it begins to crisp and just turn golden. This helps prevent sogginess later.
Add sauce and toppings
Remove the partially toasted bread. On the toasted surface, spread the pizza sauce, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, and add any toppings. For lighter toppings (like vegetables) place them under the cheese so they stay in place during cooking.
Finish in the air fryer
Return the topped bread to the air fryer. Cook for 3–5 more minutes (depending on your fryer and thickness) until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly browned.
Serve
Let it rest for a minute (it’ll be hot). Slice into pieces and enjoy while the cheese is stretchy.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 4 to 6 slices (depending on bread size)
Prep time: ~5–10 minutes
Toasting time (first pass): ~3–4 minutes
Final cook time: ~3–5 minutes
Total time: 10–15 minutes

Variations

Bread choice: Use garlic toast slices, Texas toast, or thick sandwich bread instead of baguette.
Cheese blend: Mix mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or Parmesan
Sauce alternatives: Use pesto, Alfredo sauce, or even garlic-infused olive oil instead of traditional pizza sauce
Toppings: Add pepperoni, cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, jalapeños, fresh basil
Seasoning tweaks: Sprinkle red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, or fresh basil after cooking
Double bake: Some recipes toast first, then top and finish — a method shown above for crispness.

Storage/Reheating

Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
Reheating: Re-crisp nicely in the air fryer at ~350 °F (175 °C) for 2–3 minutes
Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the bread soggy

FAQs

What kind of bread is best for pizza garlic bread?

Thick, hearty bread like a baguette, French bread, or thick slices works well. Thin bread can become too soft under sauce.

Can I use frozen garlic bread or pre-made garlic toast?

Yes — many recipes use frozen garlic toast or Texas toast as the base. Just reduce initial toasting or adjust cook times.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

It helps get a crisp start on the garlic bread base and reduce sogginess later.

How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy?

First toast the garlic butter side to set a crust before adding sauce. Also avoid overly wet toppings and don’t overload the sauce.

Can I skip the garlic butter step and just use sauce/cheese?

Yes — but the garlic flavor is a key characteristic of “pizza garlic bread.” Without that layer, it’s more like a basic open-face pizza toast.

How many toppings can I add?

Keep toppings moderate so the bread doesn’t get overloaded and soggy. Heavier or wet vegetables may need pre-cooking or blanching.

Can I make this ahead and reheat later?

You can assemble in advance (without baking), then store and bake later. But bread may soften slightly with time.

Can I bake this in the oven instead of using an air fryer?

Yes — use ~400 °F (200 °C) and bake on a baking sheet until cheese melts and bread becomes crisp (about 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness).

Does the size or model of the air fryer affect cooking time?

Yes — different wattages, tray vs basket models, and airflow affect times. Monitor the first attempt and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion

Air fryer pizza garlic bread is a delicious mash-up of savory garlic bread and melty pizza, made fast and with minimal fuss. With a crisp garlic base, gooey cheese, and your favorite toppings, it’s an ideal snack, lunch, or easy dinner. Experiment with different cheeses, sauces, or toppings to make it your own — and enjoy that perfect crunch without heating up your whole oven.

Air Fryer Pizza Garlic Bread

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Air Fryer Pizza Garlic Bread combines the best of both worlds — buttery garlic bread and cheesy pizza — cooked to perfection in just minutes. With a crispy base, melty cheese, and customizable toppings, it’s an easy and delicious snack or meal.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Yield: 4–6 slices
Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American, Italian Fusion
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 French baguette or half loaf (or thick bread slices)
3 Tbsp butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional toppings: pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Pinch of salt and pepper

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Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 375–400°F (190–200°C).
Slice the bread lengthwise or into thick slices.
Mix softened butter with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly over cut sides of the bread.
Air fry the garlic-buttered bread for 3–4 minutes, cut side up, until lightly golden and crisp.
Remove from air fryer and spread pizza sauce over toasted sides.
Top with shredded mozzarella and desired toppings.
Return to air fryer and cook for another 3–5 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let rest for 1–2 minutes, slice, and serve hot.

Notes

To prevent soggy bread, always toast the garlic butter layer before adding sauce.
Don’t overload with toppings; too many can soften the crust.
Adjust air fryer times slightly based on model and bread thickness.
Use pre-made garlic toast for an even quicker version.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 260
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 35mg