How to Reheat Garlic Bread in the Best 6 Tasty Ways

One of the best side dishes for pasta dinners, garlic bread is great on its own and even better with added gooey melted cheese.

Sometimes my sons eat more garlic bread than dinner and who can blame them it is so delicious!

It really does compliment the flavors of so many pasta dinners, casseroles, salads and soups.

Often we have leftover garlic bread, and of course my sons want to enjoy it again the next day and it’s always as good as the first time.

What are the best ways to reheat delicious garlic bread so it tastes as good as it was the first time?

What to eat with reheated garlic bread

My favorite recipes to eat with reheated garlic bread:

How to make good garlic bread

Try my amazing cheese stuffed garlic bread for a great side dish with these dinners!

Ingredients for cheese-stuffed garlic bread on wooden board.

Best way to reheat garlic bread 6 ways

We used to feel the best way to reheat leftover garlic bread like garlic knots was on a baking sheet with aluminum foil baked in the oven.

Now, with all the different ways, the recommended method for reheating garlic bread really depends how much time you have, the size of the bread and what appliances you have available.

For the reheating process for homemade or store-bought garlic bread, like garlic bread slices we offer these best options:

  • Oven Method: traditional method great for whole loaf or large pieces
  • Microwave Method: quick method in as little as 10 seconds
  • Stove or Skillet Method: another quick method better heat control
  • Air Fryer Method: great way for a crispy crust
  • Toaster Oven Method: quick and easy method to help melt cheese
  • Toaster: Quick easy method better option with toaster bags

Reheat garlic bread in oven

Garlic bread reheating in the oven.

The good old regular oven is the best method for reheating garlic bread when you have a large piece or loaf, thick slices or a lot of slices of garlic bread to reheat at once.

The conventional oven is also the best way to reheat garlic bread since it helps to keep the texture of crispy garlic bread with the instructions below:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F a moderate temperature is best so it cooks through evenly without overcooking the bread
  • For best results wrap the garlic bread in aluminum tin foil making sure it is completely wrapped to help trap the moisture so it does not dry out on you
  • Place the garlic bread on your baking sheet or an oven-safe dish and then in the oven
  • Bake the bread for 10-15 minutes or until it is heated through and crispy for your desired level of doneness. If heating a whole loaf cook for 15-20 minutes
  • Remove from the oven unwrap the foil and serve immediately
Reheated garlic bread on piece of aluminum foil.

Reheating garlic bread in a foil bag

If you have bought store-bought garlic bread, you can reheat the garlic bread easily with the foil bag with these steps:

  • In a preheated oven to 350 degrees F remove the garlic bread from the bag and place it on a baking sheet
  • If the bread is sliced, spread a thin layer of butter or olive oil on each slice. If it is not sliced cut the bread into slices with your desired thickness before spreading the butter or olive oil on them
  • Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes for a larger loaf or 5-7 minutes for smaller pieces of sliced bread, 8-10 minutes for thicker or larger sliced pieces or until it is heated through
  • Remove the garlic bread let cool for 1 minute then serve at once

Reheating garlic bread in the oven tips!

If you want a crispier texture to your garlic bread removing the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time will help to achieve that.

You can sprinkle a little bit of water or tablespoons of water on to the garlic bread if it is a bit stale or dry, which will help create steam in the aluminum foil to moisten it up.

Reheating garlic bread in the microwave

Garlic bread on a plate in the microwave.

Reheating garlic bread in the microwave is the quickest and easiest method. Microwaved garlic bread can change the texture of the bread becoming chewy, soggy or a soft garlic bread. Instructions to help avoid this:

  • Using a microwave safe dish place the sliced garlic bread on it if not sliced cut into slices in a thickness you prefer
  • Cover the garlic bread with a damp paper towel helping to trap moisture and keep it from drying out. Or you can place a glass of half filled water in a microwave-safe cup instead of the paper towel to help it from drying out.
  • Microwave on high temperature for 10-20 seconds if, if it needs more time try 5-10 second intervals do not over do it.
  • Once it has reached your desired level of doneness serve at once

Reheat garlic bread in the microwave tips!

Only put 1 or 2 slices or small pieces of garlic bread in the microwave at one time so you do not have to increase the cooking time and produce more uneven cooking.

How to reheat garlic bread on stove or skillet

Garlic bread wrapped in foil.

Reheating leftover garlic bread on the stove or in a skillet or frying pan on the stove are both a great option.

It is a good idea if your are already attending to other food on the stove or your oven is already occupied.

The best part is adding a crispy, rich extra flavor with butter or olive oil in the second skillet option. Steps to follow:

  • Wrap the bread tightly in aluminum foil
  • Place in a pot that fits the size of the garlic bread with a lid on
  • Cook on a low temperature for 5-7 minutes checking for level of doneness
  • When it has heated through eat immediately

Or sauté in a skillet:

Skillete on stove with olive oil.
  • Preheat your skillet or frying pan over a medium-high heat
  • If the bread is not sliced cut it into slices of bread
  • Spread a thin layer of butter or olive oil on each side of the bread but not too much to make it greasy
  • Once the pan is hot place garlic bread in the skillet
  • Cook the bread for 1-2 minutes on each side until it is heated through to your desired level of doneness, keeping close attention to it as it can get burnt very quickly
  • Remove from the garlic bread from the pan and place it on a paper towel to remove any excess or extra oil
  • Serve as desired sprinkled with parmesan cheese for extra flavor

Reheating garlic bread on stove or skillet tips!

Too high of a heat when using the sauté method, will burn the bottom of the garlic bread before it cooks evenly.

Use a pan size that is appropriate for the size of your garlic bread. A large French loaf garlic bread will not work well as it too big and may burn before cooking evenly.

Best way to reheat garlic bread in air fryer

Air fryer on countertop.

Reheating garlic bread is a quick and easy way to restore the crispy texture to produce warm garlic bread, and the best way to how to reheat garlic bread without oven. Follow these steps:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3-5 minutes
  • Wrap the bread in aluminum foil making sure it is covered all the way around
  • Place the garlic bread in the air fryer basket
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes as you only want it to get crispy and warm up as air fryers can overcook bread quickly. Check at 2 minutes to see for your the level of doneness.
  • Remove the garlic bread from the basket letting it cool for 1 to 2 minutes before removing the foil and then enjoy it right away

Reheating garlic bread in air fryer tips!

Carefully watch any extra cooking time as once you go over the 3 minute cooking time it can quicky turn into an overcooked hockey puck.

You can also put a small amount of water to the bottom of the basket to to stop any butter droppers from smoking up the kitchen. Also you may use an air fryer-safe dish or silicone basket as well.

How to reheat garlic bread in toaster oven

Toaster oven on kitchen counter.

To reheat garlic bread in the toaster oven for toasty garlic bread we want to help make it an easy and quick process. Follow these steps:

  • Preheat your toaster oven to 425°F a higher temperature
  • Wrap in an aluminum foil tightly all over
  • Place in the toaster oven baking tray making sure it is not touching the heating elements butter side up
  • Heat the bread for 5-7 minutes depending on the bread thickness and your desired level of doneness
  • Remove from the toaster oven and enjoy at once

Reheat garlic bread in toaster

Can you reheat garlic bread in your toaster?

Toaster on kitchen counter.

Yes you can reheat garlic bread in your toaster for a quick snack if you use toaster bags to catch any drippings from the cheese or garlic butter.

Reheat sliced pieces of garlic bread by placing them inside the toaster bags, then inserting the bags in the toaster slots, toasting for 2 minutes.

Not as good for garlic bread with cheese but it can work, though the cheese may slide to the bottom of the toaster bags so do not over toast it.

It is not a good idea to reheat garlic bread in your toaster unless you use the toaster bags.

The cheese or oil in the garlic butter may melt and cause it to smoke or create a fire in your appliance.

How to reheat garlic bread with cheese

Close up image of cheesy garlic bread on aluminum foil.

If you have cheese on your garlic bread to be reheated as who does not love the golden brown gooey texture and yummy extra flavor for our taste buds.

Cheese can also add some moisture to a dry garlic bread. Follow these helpful tips:

  • Oven Method: when wrapping your garlic bread with foil, cover it loosely instead of tightly, using more foil to help prevent the cheese from burning. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted
  • Microwave Method: Place the bread in a microwave-safe plate or dish, cover loosely with a damp paper towel. Also you can use a microwave-safe half cup of water as a better option. Microwave on high for 20-30 seconds.
  • Air Fryer Method: Preheat air fryer to 350°F wrapping the garlic bread loosely in foil and placing it in the air fryer basket cooking for 3-4 minutes checking that the cheese does not burn.
  • Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster over to 425°F then place the garlic bread on a small baking sheet or piece of aluminum foil to catch the drippings, baking for 5 minutes.
  • Skillet On Stove: May not be the best method as you can only sauté the side without the cheese. Spread olive oil or butter on the side without cheese on a sliced piece of garlic bread. Place the butter or olive oil side down in the pan. Covering with a lid to help trap in heat to melt the cheese. Cooking on a medium heat, watching it closely so the bread does not burn before the cheese melts to your satisfaction.
  • Stove Method: Wrap loosely in aluminum foil place in pot with lid, cooking on low heat for 5 minutes.

What cheese to use in garlic bread or add to when reheating garlic bread

Some of the best cheeses to use are:

  • Mozzarella Cheese: classic mild choice best thing it melts well
  • Cheddar Cheese: sharper flavor melts well can give crispy edge
  • Parmesan Cheese: can be grated on top for savory flavour boost
  • Provolone Cheese: creamy, can be mild, smoky or sharp flavor addition
Unbaked garlic bread on foil lined baking sheet.

How to reheat garlic bread without foil

You can choose not to wrap the bread in the aluminum foil making it crispier by placing it on a baking sheet or directly in the oven, air fryer basket or toaster oven.

You may have to reduce the cooking time by 1 – 2 minutes to prevent burning or charring of the bread or cheese.

How to reheat garlic bread without it getting hard

Garlic bread is being wrapped in foil.

The best way to reheat garlic bread without it drying out and getting hard is to wrap or double wrap it tightly in aluminum foil making sure it is completely covered.

Then cooking it in the oven, air fryer or toaster as we have detailed with instructions above.

What else to do with leftover garlic bread

Sometimes we leave the garlic bread out too long or do not actually fancy eating it again the next night.

Next time do not just throw out stale bread garlic bread, here are some great ways to repurpose garlic leftover bread to use again.

Garlic brad croutons on a plate.
  • Make Croutons: nothing better in a caesar salad or any salad than garlic croutons or a delicious topping for soups
  • Breadcrumbs: garlic breadcrumbs to sprinkle of top of pasta bakes
  • Garlic Bread Pizza: if the bread is not too stale garlic bread pizza is so good
  • Garlic Bruschetta: if not too dry, garlic bread burrata bruschetta is devine
  • Crostinis: garlic crostini with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes so good

Frequently Asked Questions for reheating garlic bread

What can I do to make my reheated garlic bread taste better

To help ramp up the garlic flavor of your reheated garlic bread you can add fresh garlic in a garlic butter form or garlic powder to the top of your bread.

Ingredients for garlic butter in small bowl with spoon.

How to store garlic bread

Garlic bread should be stored at room temperature for up to 3-4 days not a long time in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil. It is not recomended to store garlic bread in the fridge as it can cause it to become moist and soggy.

How long with garlic bread last

Garlic bread can last wrapped properly for 3-4 days on the counter at room temperature or in the fridge for 4-5 days.

How to store cheesy garlic bread

If you have cheese on your garlic bread or you still want to store it in the fridge use an airtight plastic container also wraped in aluminum foil or even parchment paper. It will last for 4-5 days in the fridge.

Using plastic wrap or a plastic bag can cause moisture to form so avoid it for use in the fridge.

A better option because cheese will not last on the counter and the bread will get moist and soggy in the fridge is to just freeze it for a couple of days.

How to freeze garlic bread

To freeze garlic bread allow the garlic bread to come to room temperature.

Wrap individual slice of bread or French bread loaf of garlic bread in aluminum foil then place in freezer bag or an freezer-safe container.

Or you can just double wrap it in aluminum foil placing it in the freezer.

Garlic bread will last for 2-3 months in the freezer.

How to freeze cheesy garlic bread

The same as above wrap in aluminum foil (or double wrap with foil) then place in an airtight container or freezer bags for a couple of months.

Reheating frozen garlic bread

  • Preheat oven to 375°F removing the garlic bread from freezer wrap
  • Place on baking sheet bake for 10-12 minutes to see if it is heated through
  • If not heated through heat for an additional 1-2 minutes
  • Remove from oven cool for 1-2 minutes server as desired
  • If uncooked from the freezer cook at 425°F for 5-7 minutes watching closely

To wrap things up, garlic bread or garlic bread with cheese can be a delicious and satisfying snack or side dish when heated properly.

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