Frozen breadsticks are one of those easy staples that are always nice to have on hand. But making them in the air fryer instead of the oven is a total game changer.
They cook faster, get crispier on the outside, and stay perfectly soft inside. It’s just better all around.
What really makes this recipe special though is the garlic parmesan butter you add at the end. It’s quick to mix together while the breadsticks cook, so there’s zero extra waiting.
You only need a handful of ingredients and about 10 minutes of your time. That’s it.
Whether you’re serving these alongside a bowl of soup, a plate of pasta, or just eating them straight off the tray – they never disappoint.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect Side for Pasta Night – These parmesan garlic breadsticks pair amazingly with spaghetti or any soup or salad you already have planned.
The Garlic Butter Takes Them to Another Level – That homemade garlic butter brush turns basic frozen breadsticks into something that tastes restaurant-quality.
Crispier Than the Oven Version – The air fryer gives these breadsticks a golden crispy outside while keeping the inside perfectly soft and fluffy.
No Thawing Required – You skip the waiting entirely because the breadsticks go straight from the freezer into the air fryer basket.
Ingredients
- 1 package (10-12 pieces) Frozen Breadsticks
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
How To Make
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. Do not thaw the breadsticks – they go straight from the freezer into the air fryer.
Step 2
Arrange the frozen breadsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving about half an inch of space between each one so the hot air can circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
Step 3
Air fry at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The breadsticks are done when they’re golden brown on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. Start checking at the 7-minute mark, as air fryers vary in strength.
Step 4
While the breadsticks cook, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, and italian seasoning in a small bowl until well combined.
Step 5
As soon as the breadsticks come out of the air fryer, brush them generously on all sides with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, then serve immediately while hot and soft.
Tips
Don’t Thaw Them First
This is the biggest mistake people make with frozen breadsticks. If you let them thaw on the counter before air frying, the outside gets soggy and the dough loses its structure.
Take them straight from the freezer and place them directly in the air fryer. The hot circulating air will crisp the outside quickly while the inside thaws and gets soft and fluffy at the same time. That contrast is exactly what you want.
Leave Space Between Each Breadstick
It’s tempting to pack as many breadsticks as you can into the basket, but if they’re touching or overlapping, the hot air can’t reach all sides evenly. You’ll end up with some spots that are golden and other spots that are pale and doughy.
Leave about half an inch of space between each one. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, just do two batches. It only takes 7-9 minutes per batch so it’s still really fast.
Start Checking at 7 Minutes
Air fryers vary a lot in how hot they actually run. Some models cook way faster than others, even at the same temperature setting. That’s why you should pull the basket out at the 7-minute mark and check.
You’re looking for a golden brown color on the outside. If they still look pale, slide them back in for another minute or two. It’s much easier to add time than to fix an overcooked breadstick that’s dry and hard.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
- Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
- Air Fryer Pizza Dough Knots with Garlic Butter
- Air Fryer Texas Toast
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the breadsticks are fully done?
Look for a golden brown color on the outside – that’s your best visual cue. When you pick one up, it should feel firm on the surface but give a little squeeze, meaning it’s soft and fluffy inside.
Start checking at the 7-minute mark because every air fryer heats a little differently. If they still look pale and feel doughy, give them another minute or two and check again.
Air Fryer Frozen Breadsticks
- air fryer
- pastry brush
- 1 package Frozen Breadsticks (10-12 pieces)
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. Do not thaw the breadsticks - they go straight from the freezer into the air fryer.
- Arrange the frozen breadsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving about half an inch of space between each one so the hot air can circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Air fry at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The breadsticks are done when they're golden brown on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. Start checking at the 7-minute mark, as air fryers vary in strength.
- While the breadsticks cook, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, and italian seasoning in a small bowl until well combined.
- As soon as the breadsticks come out of the air fryer, brush them generously on all sides with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, then serve immediately while hot and soft.