Crispy Garlic Butter Cheese Toast

I love how simple ingredients can come together to create something so irresistible. This garlic cheese toast is golden, crispy, and filled with flavor—perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a side to dinner.

Garlic Cheese Toast – My Favorite Cheesy Snack

I find this recipe so comforting because it balances crispy edges, soft centers, and the perfect mix of garlic and melted cheese. By scoring the toast and filling it with garlic butter, every bite is packed with flavor, and the cheese sauce makes it completely indulgent.

Why you‘ll love this recipe

It’s easy to prepare with everyday ingredients.

The toast turns out golden, crispy, and full of flavor.

The cheese sauce melts into every cut, giving you that gooey pull in each bite.

Works with an oven or an air fryer, so it’s flexible.

Ingredients

• 1 bread slice (5-8 cm thick, whole wheat or white; firm texture works best)
• 1 egg
• 20g butter (unsalted recommended; if using salted, no extra salt needed)
• 10–15g minced garlic (about 2–3 cloves, finely chopped)
• 40g milk (whole or low-fat)
• 2 cheese slices (mozzarella or cheddar work great)
• A little chopped parsley (or scallions/basil, for garnish)

Note: Scoring the bread ensures the butter, egg, and cheese soak in and makes it easier to tear apart after baking.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Toast

Place the slice of bread on a cutting board.

Cut a “tic-tac-toe” grid on the surface (2 horizontal, 2 vertical cuts) about 1.5–2 cm deep, without cutting through the bottom.

2. Make the Egg Wash

Crack 1 egg into a small bowl, beat until smooth.

Pour evenly over the toast and brush it into the surface and cuts. Spread excess egg on the edges.

3. Make Garlic Butter

Melt 20g butter in a small bowl (use hot water bath or microwave 10–15 seconds).

Mix with 10–15g minced garlic. (Optional: sauté garlic briefly in hot oil for stronger flavor.)

Spread the garlic butter over the toast and into the scored cuts.

4. Bake the Toast

Preheat oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat) for 5 minutes.

Place toast on a lined baking tray and bake at 180°C for 15 minutes until golden. (Cover with foil if browning too fast.)

For air fryer: preheat 180°C for 3 minutes, bake at 180°C for 8–10 minutes.

5. Make the Cheese Sauce

Heat 40g milk and 2 cheese slices over double boiler.

Stir until cheese melts fully into a smooth sauce. (If too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons milk.)

6. Final Assembly

Remove toast from the oven.

Drizzle warm cheese sauce over hot bread

Sprinkle parsley or scallions on top.

Cool 1–2 minutes, then tear apart and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use shredded cheese instead of cheese slices?
Yes, shredded mozzarella or cheddar works well. Just make sure to melt it with the milk for a smooth sauce.

What kind of bread is best for this recipe?
A thicker, denser bread like plain white toast or whole wheat toast holds up best. Avoid soft sandwich bread—it can turn soggy.

Can I prepare it ahead of time?
You can score and butter the bread in advance, but for the best texture, bake and pour the cheese sauce fresh.

Can I make this without an oven?
Yes! An air fryer works beautifully and gives the toast a crisp finish in less time.

Quick Garlic Cheese Toast Recipe

This Garlic Cheese Toast is crispy on the outside, soft inside, and loaded with garlic butter and gooey cheese sauce. A quick, indulgent recipe that's perfect for breakfast, snacks, or sides!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 bread slice 5-8 cm thick, whole wheat or white; firm texture works best
• 1 egg
• 20 g butter unsalted recommended; if using salted, no extra salt needed
• 10 –15g minced garlic about 2–3 cloves, finely chopped
• 40 g milk whole or low-fat
• 2 cheese slices mozzarella or cheddar work great
• A little chopped parsley or scallions/basil, for garnish

Instructions

 

Prepare the Toast

• Place the slice of bread on a cutting board.
• Cut a “tic-tac-toe” grid on the surface (2 horizontal, 2 vertical cuts) about 1.5–2 cm deep, without cutting through the bottom.

Make the Egg Wash

• Crack 1 egg into a small bowl, beat until smooth.
• Pour evenly over the toast and brush it into the surface and cuts. Spread excess egg on the edges.

Make Garlic Butter

• Melt 20g butter in a small bowl (use hot water bath or microwave 10–15 seconds).
• Mix with 10–15g minced garlic. (Optional: sauté garlic briefly in hot oil for stronger flavor.)
• Spread the garlic butter over the toast and into the scored cuts.

Bake the Toast

• Preheat oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat) for 5 minutes.
• Place toast on a lined baking tray and bake at 180°C for 15 minutes until golden. (Cover with foil if browning too fast.)
• For air fryer: preheat 180°C for 3 minutes, bake at 180°C for 8–10 minutes.

Make the Cheese Sauce

• Heat 40g milk and 2 cheese slices over double boiler.
• Stir until cheese melts fully into a smooth sauce. (If too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons milk.)

Final Assembly

• Remove toast from the oven.
• Drizzle warm cheese sauce over hot bread
• Sprinkle parsley or scallions on top.
• Cool 1–2 minutes, then tear apart and enjoy!

Made this recipe? I’d love to see it!Tag @cookingwithchun and share it with #cookingwithchun on Instagram.