01 -
First things first, grab a small microwave-safe bowl. Toss in your unsalted butter and pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until it's completely melted. Then, stir in that glorious fresh minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and those optional red pepper flakes. Give it a good whisk. Honestly, the smell alone at this stage is enough to make your stomach rumble! I always take a moment to just inhale the garlicky goodness.
02 -
Lay out your tortillas on a clean surface. Now, with a pastry brush (or honestly, the back of a spoon if you're like me and can never find the brush!), generously brush one side of each tortilla with your melted garlic butter mixture. Don't be shy! You want full coverage for maximum flavor and crispiness. This is where the magic starts to happen. I sometimes get a little messy, but it's worth it.
03 -
Flip the buttered tortillas over. Now for the cheese! Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the unbuttered side of each tortilla. Follow that with a lighter sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. You want a good, even layer, but don't go overboard like I did that one time, causing a cheesy lava flow! Just enough to get that perfect melt.
04 -
Carefully fold each tortilla in half, cheese-side in. Gently press down to seal the edges a bit. If you have an air fryer basket, you might need to slightly overlap them or cook them in batches. For a tray-style air fryer, you can usually fit a few without much fuss. Make sure they’re not too crowded; air circulation is key for that crispy finish!
05 -
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a couple of minutes. Once hot, carefully place the folded tortillas in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray. Air fry for about 4-6 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and wonderfully crispy, and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Keep an eye on them; air fryers can vary! I always peek around the 4-minute mark because some machines cook super fast.
06 -
Once they're perfectly golden and the cheese is gooey, carefully remove the Air Fryer Cheesy Tortilla Garlic Bread from the air fryer. Transfer them to a cutting board. Sprinkle with a little extra fresh parsley, if you're feeling fancy. Slice each tortilla half into strips, like traditional garlic bread. Serve immediately and watch them disappear! The smell of toasted tortilla and melted cheese is just irresistible.