Garlic bread is known for its crispy consistency. But can you microwave garlic bread and still get that delicious crunchy texture?
We make a lot of garlic bread in our household. It’s one of our favorite sides. In fact, we have an easy air fryer garlic bread recipe on our sister site Urban Bliss Life.
One of the best things about garlic bread is the crispy crust coupled with the softer interior. So what happens if you microwave it?
In this article, I’ll go over how to microwave garlic bread, what that does to its consistency, and other (better) ways to prepare garlic bread.
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Why would you microwave garlic bread?
I get it. Sometimes you just have a garlic bread craving and you need some, stat! If that’s the case, the microwave can come in handy. You can have some hot garlic bread ready in just a few seconds.
So yes, you can microwave garlic bread. But it’s important to know that zapping it will affect its texture. And not in a good way.
What happens to garlic bread when you microwave it?
Generally, bread and microwaves don’t mix. That’s because microwaving bread can make it very soft, very quickly. The same goes for garlic bread. Once you pop it in there and zap it, the texture will become overly soft and limp.
So if you’re craving that garlic bread crunch along with its signature flavor, microwaving it will likely leave you disappointed. But if you like soft garlic bread, this is the fastest way to whip some up.
How to microwave fresh garlic bread
If the consistency of garlic bread takes a back seat to its taste for you, and you want some fast, then you may opt for microwaving it. To do it, follow these simple steps:
1. Finely chop 3 cloves of garlic.
2. Melt half a stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Once it’s melted, add the chopped garlic to it.
3. Cut half a loaf of French bread into slices.
4. Brush the garlic butter mixture onto each slice.
5. Place them on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a paper towel, and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until the bread is warm.
👉🏼 It’s important to know that the bread will become soft and hot, so handle it with care.
How to microwave frozen garlic bread
If you have pre-made garlic bread in the freezer, you can warm it up in the microwave oven by simply cutting it into slices, then microwaving them for 30 seconds. Repeat in 10-second intervals until they’re heated thoroughly.
This works with either frozen store-bought or homemade garlic bread.
Other ways to make garlic bread
Just because you can microwave garlic bread, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. If the crispy texture of garlic bread is important to you, you may want to opt for one of these other cooking methods instead.
How to make garlic bread in the oven
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Finely chop 3 garlic cloves.
3. Chop a teaspoon of fresh parsley.
4. Slice half a loaf of fresh French bread (or a baguette if you prefer a crunchier crust) into one-inch thick pieces.
5. Melt half a stick of unsalted butter in the microwave. Then mix in the garlic and parsley (Optional: you can swap butter for 1/2 cup of olive oil).
6. Brush the bread slices with the garlic, butter, and herb mixture.
7. Place the garlic bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
9. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the top of the bread slices.
Optional: If you prefer cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the slices.
How to make garlic bread in the air fryer
Follow steps 1-6 above as if you were going to make it in the oven. Then add the slices of fresh bread to the air fryer basket in a single layer and heat at 375° F for 4-5 minutes. Check halfway through to make sure they aren’t becoming too brown or crispy.
⭐️ Tip: This method also works with frozen garlic bread. Just heat it up for 2-3 minutes longer.
👉🏼 Related: How to Store Focaccia Bread
How to make garlic bread in a toaster oven
Again, follow steps 1-6 above as if you were going to make it in a regular oven. Then add the slices to your toaster oven and heat at 425° F for 10-12 minutes until you have crispy garlic bread.
FAQ
To store leftover garlic bread, first wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help keep it from drying out. Then place it in your fridge. It will stay good for 2-3 days and should become crisp again once you reheat it in the oven or air fryer. You can also store it in an airtight container on a kitchen counter out of direct sunlight. It’s best to consume garlic bread within 1-2 days if stored at room temperature for the best freshness, and to help avoid any potential food safety issues.
After the garlic bread cools completely, wrap each slice in aluminum foil so they don’t adhere to each other. Then add them to a large freezer bag and place it on a level surface in the freezer. To retain the best flavor, consume frozen garlic bread within 3 months.
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