Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Toast

A simple recipe to achieve bakery-quality cheesy garlic toast at home, featuring a crisp base and a gooey, melty cheese topping.

Ingredients

• 4 thick slices of sturdy bread (such as Italian bread, French baguette, sourdough, or thick-cut Texas toast)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced or grated
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley)
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• A tiny pinch of salt (omit if using salted butter)
• 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese combined with finely grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced fresh garlic, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly emulsified.
3. Place plain bread slices directly into the preheated air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 2 minutes until the surface is lightly toasted and firm.
4. Generously brush or spread the garlic butter mixture evenly across the surface of each lightly toasted bread slice, coating right up to the edges.
5. Heap the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese mixture over the buttered bread. Press the cheese down very gently so it adheres to the butter.
6. Place the loaded slices back into the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling, and tinged with golden-brown spots around the edges.
7. Remove the toast from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let it rest for 1 minute on a cutting board so the melted cheese can set slightly. Slice diagonally and serve immediately.

Notes

Choose sturdy artisan loaves, sourdough, or thick-cut French bread to prevent drying out or collapsing under the weight of the cheese. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper airflow for crispness. For a sharper flavor, increase garlic to 3 cloves or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Nutritional information per serving (2 slices): 320 kcal, 18g Total Fat, 10g Saturated Fat, 45mg Cholesterol, 420mg Sodium, 28g Total Carbohydrates, 1g Dietary Fiber, 2g Sugars, 12g Protein.