Garlic bread can only compete with Garlic Texas toast for the special place it holds in American dinner tables. Garlic bread goes well with almost anything that makes dinner healthy and tasty. It’s always a delight to the taste buds, even the leftovers.
You can reheat garlic bread. Placing the bread in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°F is the best method for reheating garlic bread while maintaining the crunchy texture. You can also use a microwave or a frying pan. Don’t reheat your garlic bread if it has been sitting out in the open for more than two hours, as this could lead to food poisoning.
The FDA warns that poorly stored garlic bread could be reheated and taste awesome, but it could still cause food poisoning. Thus, don’t reheat garlic bread unless you take the necessary precautions to store the leftovers safely.
What Are the Ways to Reheat Garlic Bread?
There are three common ways to reheat your garlic bread, but I’ll introduce you to a fourth, more cutting-edge solution. Fortunately, all these methods are straightforward and quick. So, you can always add reheated garlic bread to your meal spontaneously.
These are the ways to reheat garlic bread:
- Method 1: The Oven
- Method 2: The Microwave
- Method 3: The Frying Pan
- Method 4: The Air Fryer.
Which Is the Best Way to Reheat Garlic Bread?
Well, it’s really between ovens and air fryers. Ovens couldn’t beat air fryers, but they win as they are more common in homes than air fryers. So, why else are ovens the best for reheating garlic bread?
Ovens almost always restore that ripe crisp of your garlic bread. Baking allows the ginger butter to soak and heat the inner parts of your bread.
As you preheat the oven, butter up the garlic bread some more. It will help in heat distribution as well as producing the crispy brown crunch.
The oven takes ten minutes of 350°F to cook and crisp the stored garlic bread. Sure, ten minutes is much longer than what other appliances take. Still, it delivers the best results in restoring the garlic bread magic.
How to Reheat Garlic Bread with a Microwave
According to the USDA, microwaving is the best way to reheat if you’re short on time.
The microwave offers the fastest solution to reheating garlic bread. It usually takes about a minute for the bread to heat up. You may have to heat it for about 40 seconds if the garlic bread is in slices.
We do recommend that you only run your garlic bread in the microwave for short 15 second increments to make sure it doesn’t overheat. This happens rather quickly in the microwave, and it will turn your garlic bread into garlic stone.
Microwaves tend to ruin bread if left unattended.
You should avoid using plastic wrap when reheating garlic bread in the microwave. The high heat could cause the wrap to melt and make a mess. A better option would be to use a paper towel.
Also, avoid using aluminum foil. The foil can cause sparks that can set the bread on fire.
The disadvantage of microwaving your garlic bread is that you can’t reheat it again. It becomes hard after about half an hour.
How to Reheat Garlic Bread with a Frying Pan
You may not always have your microwave or oven to reheat some leftover garlic bread. That’s no reason to fuss! You can always reheat it on the stovetop. You’ll have to use some extra oil here.
You’ll need minimal cooking oil to prevent the bread from burning on the stovetop if it’s nonstick. You’ll need some more oil if it isn’t non-stick.
This method never produces super crispy garlic bread, and the oil could make the bread somewhat soggy.
So, how do you do it?
1. Preheat your frying pan on medium heat.
2. Spread a thin layer of oil over the bottom of the pan.
3. Place the garlic bread in the frying pan, and let it cook for about 3 minutes per side or until it’s heated through.
4. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
How to Reheat Garlic Bread with an Air Fryer
An air fryer is a good option for reheating your garlic bread, and it can cook it straight from the freezer or fridge and onto your plate.
You won’t need to water or oil your garlic bread before reheating it. The air fryer uses superheated air, which causes the garlic butter on the bread to sizzle and cook up the insides, and crisp the outsides.
If your garlic bread has cooled down, or if it’s leftover garlic bread from the day before, the air fryer is the perfect place to reheat it. It’s simple and quick.
- Set your air fryer to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and let it preheat for 2 minutes
- Place your leftover garlic bread in the air fryer
- Heat for 2-3 minutes or longer depending on the size of the pieces.
- Enjoy!
If your garlic bread has been stored in the freezer you will have to cook it for longer than 2-3 minutes though. It’s still the same easy procedure, it just takes a bit more time.
All you need to do is pop the frozen garlic bread into the air fryer basket, and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the bread sit in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes or until the bread is ready, which will depend on the size of the bread.
The result is a crispy, buttery piece of garlic bread that will make your taste buds jump for joy!
How Do You Make Garlic Bread Soft Again?
If you have ever had garlic bread that was a little too hard, you may be wondering how to make it soft again. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps that you can take to achieve this goal.
The first step is to preheat your oven to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap the bread under a dump paper towel. Afterward, place the garlic bread on an oven-safe dish, and bake it for 10-15 minutes.
The damp paper towel will help soften the bread, and the oven-safe dish will help in heating. You can also place the garlic bread on a baking sheet if you do not have an oven-safe dish.
If you are looking for a softer texture, you can also try melting butter and pouring it over the garlic bread before baking it. It will add a delicious flavor and help to soften the bread.
Ensure that you keep an eye on the garlic bread while it is baking, whether you are using a damp paper towel or melted butter, the oven-safe dish, or the baking sheet.
It may brown quickly, so you will want to remove it from the oven when it is just the right level of doneness for you. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving, and enjoy your delicious and soft garlic bread!
Softening Garlic Bread with an Air Fryer
You can also soften your hardened garlic bread with an air fryer.
- Oil, butter, or sprinkle water droplets on the garlic bread.
- Put the garlic bread in the air fryer basket.
- Set the air fryer to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fry the garlic bread for 3-5 minutes or until it is soft.
- Allow the garlic bread to cool for a few minutes before serving.
How Long Can You Store Garlic Bread?
So, how long can you store garlic bread? The answer is three months if you package it and freeze it correctly.
Generally, all cooked food can only last in the fridge for 3-4 days, and garlic bread is no exception. However, you can safely store garlic bread for three months if you packed it correctly and froze it on time.
Still, you will need to store it in airtight packaging and use a food thermometer to ensure the bread is frozen solidly.
If you choose to store garlic bread in this way, it is best to reheat it in the oven before serving. Doing so will help to maintain the flavor and texture of the bread.
Does Garlic Bread Need To Be Refrigerated After Cooking It?
The American Nursing Association (ANA) also recommends never reheating garlic bread that was left sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. The reheating process will not eliminate the high toxin levels produced when bacteria multiply the food surface.
Remember, you always have to refrigerate or freeze your leftover garlic bread two hours after serving it. Otherwise, the bacteria on the surface of the bread can cause food poisoning.