Are you loaded with leftover garlic bread and wondering how to reheat it? Below you’ll find all of our best tips for reheating garlic bread so it’s as good as it was the day you made it!
I love garlic bread – doesn’t everybody? Homemade, delicious garlic bread is a staple in all of my favorite Italian meals and I often make extra so we have bread to enjoy with leftovers for lunch or another meal later in the week.
Bread can be difficult to keep fresh. It dries out easily and if it’s reheated incorrectly, it will become tough and inedible.
So if you have leftover garlic bread, what’s the best way to reheat it the next day? How should it be stored in the meantime? We’ll teach you all of the best methods for storing and reheating garlic bread so you can enjoy it another day and avoid waste!
How to Store Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is very susceptible to drying out, but it can also get soggy if left in an airtight container for too long. Garlic bread is best stored at room temperature and wrapped in foil for a couple of days. If you want to store your garlic bread for longer than that, it is best to freeze it.
In the case of cheesy garlic bread, it is always best to freeze the bread, even if just for a couple of days. Garlic cheese bread does not store well at room temperature, but it will maintain its freshness if frozen.
How to Reheat Garlic Bread
If you’re looking for a quick answer, reheating your garlic bread in the oven is the best method. Simply wrap the bread in foil and warm it in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350° F. If you want to try one of the other five methods, read on for instructions.
There are a few different ways garlic bread can be reheated – here are all of the best options:
1. Oven
Reheating your bread in the oven tends to produce the best results. This option is particularly ideal for whole loaves or large quantities. Reheating garlic bread in the oven warms it without drying out the bread or producing overly crispy slices.
How to reheat garlic bread in the Oven
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
- 2. Wrap your garlic bread in aluminum foil.
- 3. Bake the garlic bread for 10-15 minutes.
Tip: If your bread is dried out or you prefer soft garlic bread, sprinkle a bit of water onto the bread before baking to steam and rehydrate it.
2. Air Fryer
Air fryers have gained a lot of popularity recently, and for good reason! Popping food in the air fryer gives you crispy, delicious food with minimal oil. It makes sense that reheating garlic bread in the air fryer would be a great option.
Using this method will produce crispier garlic bread with a fantastic flavor. This is the better option for small quantities or instances where you don’t want to preheat your oven!
How to reheat garlic bread in the Air Fryer
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- 2. Place the garlic bread slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- 3. Cook the garlic bread for 2-3 minutes.
- 4. After 2 minutes, check the bread to see if it has reached your desired temperature. If it is not yet done, cook it for another minute and check again.
- 5. Avoid overcooking your garlic bread in the air fryer; it will get too crispy very quickly!
Tip: Put a couple of tablespoons of water into the bottom of the basket to prevent smokiness from dripping butter.
3. Toaster Oven
The toaster oven is a great way to reheat small portions of food without reheating your regular oven. When it comes to garlic bread, this method works well for reheating just a few slices and the result is warm and crispy garlic bread!
How to reheat garlic bread in a Toaster Oven
- Preheat your toaster oven to 450°F.
- Wrap your garlic bread slices in aluminum foil and place them on the baking tray.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Alternatively, you can place the garlic bread in a single layer on the baking tray and turn on the “toast” function. This method will reheat your garlic bread more quickly, but the result will be drier and more crispy. If you choose to toast your garlic bread, watch it closely as it will start to brown quickly.
4. Microwave
Reheating garlic bread in the microwave doesn’t produce the very best results, but it is certainly a quick and easy way to reheat that leftover bread! If done carefully, microwaved garlic bread can still be delicious and sufficiently reheated.
How to reheat garlic bread in a Microwave
- 1. Place the garlic bread on a microwave-safe plate.
- 2. Warm in the microwave in 10-second intervals, until it is soft and heated thoroughly.
- 3. Avoid overheating the bread as it may get tough.
Tip: If your garlic bread is dried out before you reheat it, place a cup of water in the microwave with the bread or wrap the bread in wet paper towels to rehydrate it.
5. Stovetop
Reheating garlic bread by toasting it in a frying pan is a delicious way to add extra flavor and a perfectly crispy texture. This method would be time-consuming for a large amount of garlic bread, but for a few slices, it is an ideal method.
How to reheat garlic bread on the Stove
- 1. Preheat a skillet on the stove over medium heat.
- 2. Put a thin layer of butter or olive oil in the bottom of the pan (this step is optional but encouraged).
- 3. Place slices of garlic bread cut side down and heat until warm and slightly crispy, around 2 minutes.
- 4. If you’d like both sides of the garlic bread to be crispy, flip the slices and repeat on the opposite side.
6. Toaster
We have found that a conventional toaster is not the ideal way to reheat garlic bread, but it will certainly do if that’s the best option available! Because of the butter on the garlic bread, you will need a toaster bag or a homemade parchment paper toaster bag to toast your bread.
How to reheat garlic bread in a Toaster
- Place a single piece of garlic bread in a toaster bag.
- Insert the toaster bag into the slot on the toaster and allow the bread to be thoroughly warmed. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Tip: Do not try this method without a toaster bag! The butter drippings may cause smoking or even a fire in your toaster.
How to Freeze Garlic Bread
Garlic bread does not store well for very long, so it’s a good idea to freeze it for long-term storage. When freezing garlic bread, get it put away in the freezer as early as you can. The ideal time to store it in the freezer is the first day you make it, as soon as the bread has cooled.
To freeze garlic bread, wrap it in plastic wrap and/or oil foil, then store it in a freezer-safe container, such as a freezer bag or a plastic container. You want to keep frost and air away from the bread as much as you can. If the loaf hasn’t been sliced yet, freeze the entire load as-is.
How to Reheat Frozen Garlic Bread
Frozen garlic bread can be easily reheated for a quick, delicious side for your meal! Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Remove your bread from its freezer bag and remove the plastic wrap, if applicable.
- Wrap the garlic bread in aluminum foil and place it in the oven.
- Warm the garlic bread in the oven for 10-15 minutes, then check the center of the bread to ensure it is warm. Continue baking for a few more minutes if it is still cold.
How to Make Leftover Garlic Bread Taste Better
Using these methods of reheating properly will ensure your bread has the best taste and texture it possibly can. If you’d like to make it even better, you can brush the bread with fresh melted butter or olive oil. Adding fresh garlic, garlic powder, herbs, or parmesan cheese before you reheat the garlic bread will also add extra flavor and make the bread taste fresher.
There you have it: the six best ways to reheat garlic bread so you can enjoy this delicious side another day!
