Air Fryer Lemon Myrtle Garlic Bread
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Serrated knife
- Silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf crusty French or Italian bread
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons lemon myrtle powder
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for 3 minutes.
- Combine the softened butter, lemon myrtle powder, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Cut diagonal slices across the bread approximately 2.5 cm apart without cutting through the bottom.
- Spread the lemon myrtle garlic butter generously inside each cut.
- Wrap the bread in aluminum foil while leaving the top exposed.
- Place the wrapped bread in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes until the bread is hot and the butter has melted.
- Open the foil during the final 2 minutes for a crisper surface.
- Carefully remove the bread from the air fryer.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the bread warm with grilled meat, pasta, tomato soup, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. It works especially well alongside recipes from our Barbecue collection or as part of a shared platter featuring other appetizer recipes.Recipe Notes
Use properly softened butter so it spreads evenly between the bread slices. Do not cut completely through the bottom of the loaf because the intact base keeps the bread together. Lemon myrtle has an intense citrus aroma, so measure it carefully. Find more ways to use flavorful herbs in our Spices & Seasoning recipes.Variations
Add grated Parmesan or mozzarella between the cuts for a cheesy version. Chili flakes provide gentle heat, while chopped basil creates a fresher flavor. Replace half the butter with olive oil for a lighter texture. Browse our Bread recipes and Australian recipes for more inspiration.Wine Advice
A fresh Sauvignon Blanc complements the citrus character of lemon myrtle and cuts through the melted butter. A crisp Pinot Grigio is a lighter alternative.Nutrition values
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About Lemon Myrtle Garlic Bread
Lemon myrtle garlic bread gives familiar garlic bread a distinctly Australian character. A crusty loaf is filled with softened butter, fresh garlic, and fragrant lemon myrtle before being warmed in the air fryer. The butter melts deep into the cuts while the exposed surface becomes lightly crisp. Every piece delivers a combination of savory garlic, creamy butter, aromatic citrus, and warm bread.
Lemon myrtle is a native Australian plant known for its powerful lemon fragrance. Unlike lemon juice, it adds citrus flavor without introducing additional liquid or acidity. This makes the ground herb especially suitable for flavored butter because it blends easily and does not soften the bread. Its concentrated character means that a relatively small quantity can season an entire loaf.
This recipe is a useful addition to an Australian recipe collection and offers an approachable way to experiment with native ingredients. It retains everything people enjoy about traditional garlic bread while introducing a flavor that feels fresh and slightly unexpected.
Why Australian Garlic Bread Works in the Air Fryer
Australian garlic bread cooks particularly well in the air fryer because circulating heat warms the loaf quickly and evenly. The butter melts into the interior before the outside has time to become excessively hard. Leaving the top of the foil open allows the crust to develop color while the covered sides retain moisture.
The air fryer also removes the need to heat a full-sized oven for one loaf. This is helpful when preparing a quick side dish or when the oven is already being used for another part of the meal. Browse our complete collection of air fryer recipes for other dishes that use this efficient cooking method.
Basket dimensions vary between appliances, so check that the loaf fits before adding the butter. If necessary, divide it into two shorter sections. Leave a little room around the bread so the heated air can circulate rather than becoming trapped beneath the foil.
How to Make Lemon Myrtle Garlic Bread
Begin with softened butter that can be spread without tearing the bread. Combine it thoroughly with minced garlic, lemon myrtle powder, salt, and black pepper. Mixing the ingredients evenly prevents concentrated pockets of seasoning and ensures that every slice has the same balanced flavor.
Use a serrated knife to make diagonal cuts while keeping the base intact. Gently open each cut and spread the seasoned butter onto both interior surfaces. This is more effective than placing the butter only on top because it allows the flavor to penetrate the softer center of the loaf.
Wrapping most of the loaf in foil prevents the lower crust from becoming too dark. Open the foil slightly during the final 2 minutes if you prefer a noticeably crisper finish. Additional seasoning ideas are available in our Spices & Seasoning collection.
Serving Ideas for This Australian Bread
Serve this aromatic bread beside grilled chicken, steak, seafood, vegetable skewers, pasta, soup, or salad. Its bright herbal flavor works particularly well with outdoor meals and recipes from our Barbecue collection. It can also be placed in the center of the table as an informal pull-apart appetizer.
For a complete vegetarian meal, pair it with tomato soup and a crisp green salad. The bread is also excellent with roasted vegetables or a tomato-based pasta dish because its citrus notes provide contrast to rich sauces. Explore our Side Dish recipes for more suitable accompaniments.
If serving the loaf at a gathering, prepare the butter mixture earlier in the day. Cut and fill the bread shortly before cooking so it does not absorb too much moisture while waiting.
Storage and Reheating
Lemon myrtle garlic bread is best eaten immediately, when the crust is crisp and the seasoned butter is fully melted. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them securely in foil. Use the refrigerated bread within three days.
Reheat individual portions in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 3–5 minutes. Keep them loosely covered with foil during the first few minutes to prevent the crust from becoming overly hard. Microwaving is possible, but it produces softer bread and will not restore the crisp surface.
The uncooked prepared loaf can also be frozen. Wrap it securely and freeze it for up to one month. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before air frying. With its easy preparation and aromatic native seasoning, lemon myrtle garlic bread is a practical way to bring Australian flavor to everyday meals.