Italian garlic bread wasn't invented in Italy—1960s American pizzerias created it to use day-old bread and compete with restaurants.
Cheese Garlic Bread
Indulge in the ultimate cheesy delight with this quick and easy air fryer garlic bread! Packed with gooey melted cheese and a burst of aromatic garlic, this recipe transforms simple bread into a golden, mouthwatering treat. Perfect for snacking or as a side, you'll love how effortlessly it comes together in just minutes!
Prep
15
min
Cook
25
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- ¼ cup warm water (60 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- ½ cup warm milk (120 ml)
- 2 tablespoons oil or melted butter (28 g)optional
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250–260 g) (250 g)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (15 ml)
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast (5 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (3.75 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Activate the yeast: If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly. Otherwise, mix warm milk + sugar + yeast and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
- 3
Add the yeast mixture, warm water, and oil/butter. Mix and knead into a soft dough.
- 4
Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and slightly stretchy. The dough may feel slightly sticky — avoid adding too much extra flour.
- 5
Grease a bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- 6
For toppings, use garlic butter, oregano, chilli flakes, and cheese. Seal the sides completely after putting the toppings.
- 7
Air fry at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Warm your milk to exactly 100-110°F for yeast activation because temperatures above 115°F kill yeast enzymes while below 95°F slows fermentation dramatically.technique100-110°F
- ✓Knead until the dough passes the windowpane test - stretch a small piece until translucent without tearing, indicating proper gluten development for structure.technique
- ✓Create a proofing environment at 75-80°F by placing dough near (not on) a warm oven or in an oven with just the light on, as this temperature doubles rise time efficiency.timing75-80°F
- ✓Mix garlic butter at a 3:1 butter-to-minced garlic ratio and let it sit for 30 minutes before applying so garlic oils properly infuse the fat.ingredient3:1 ratio, 30 minutes
- ✓Preheat your air fryer for 3-4 minutes before cooking because the initial temperature shock creates better crust formation through rapid moisture evaporation.equipment3-4 minutes preheat
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
25
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Italian garlic bread wasn't invented in Italy—1960s American pizzerias created it to use day-old bread and compete with restaurants.
Cheese Garlic Bread
Indulge in the ultimate cheesy delight with this quick and easy air fryer garlic bread! Packed with gooey melted cheese and a burst of aromatic garlic, this recipe transforms simple bread into a golden, mouthwatering treat. Perfect for snacking or as a side, you'll love how effortlessly it comes together in just minutes!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- ¼ cup warm water (60 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- ½ cup warm milk (120 ml)
- 2 tablespoons oil or melted butter (28 g)optional
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250–260 g) (250 g)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (15 ml)
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast (5 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (3.75 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Activate the yeast: If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly. Otherwise, mix warm milk + sugar + yeast and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
- 3
Add the yeast mixture, warm water, and oil/butter. Mix and knead into a soft dough.
- 4
Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and slightly stretchy. The dough may feel slightly sticky — avoid adding too much extra flour.
- 5
Grease a bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- 6
For toppings, use garlic butter, oregano, chilli flakes, and cheese. Seal the sides completely after putting the toppings.
- 7
Air fry at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Warm your milk to exactly 100-110°F for yeast activation because temperatures above 115°F kill yeast enzymes while below 95°F slows fermentation dramatically.technique100-110°F
- ✓Knead until the dough passes the windowpane test - stretch a small piece until translucent without tearing, indicating proper gluten development for structure.technique
- ✓Create a proofing environment at 75-80°F by placing dough near (not on) a warm oven or in an oven with just the light on, as this temperature doubles rise time efficiency.timing75-80°F
- ✓Mix garlic butter at a 3:1 butter-to-minced garlic ratio and let it sit for 30 minutes before applying so garlic oils properly infuse the fat.ingredient3:1 ratio, 30 minutes
- ✓Preheat your air fryer for 3-4 minutes before cooking because the initial temperature shock creates better crust formation through rapid moisture evaporation.equipment3-4 minutes preheat