Tortilla Garlic Bread with Cottage Cheese (GF Option)
This quick 10-minute Tortilla Garlic Bread with Cottage Cheese uses your air fryer for a crispy, high-protein alternative to traditional garlic bread that can be gluten-free with corn tortillas. They’re layered with protein-rich cottage cheese and melty mozzarella, all seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs for a fast, lower-carb side dish.
Want a crispy, protein-packed alternative to traditional garlic bread that comes together in just 10 minutes? This Tortilla Garlic Bread with Cottage Cheese delivers incredible flavor with minimal prep and cleanup. Crispy, golden tortillas sandwich a layer of creamy cottage cheese, all infused with aromatic garlic and Italian herbs.
If you’ve been struggling to get a delicious side on the table without the hassle of yeast and rising time, this clever air fryer solution is your answer. My family requests this weekly because it pairs perfectly with pasta dishes and salads, and I love how the tortillas get wonderfully crispy while the cottage cheese creates a protein-rich, melty interior that fuses everything together. They also make a satisfying savory snack for after school!
Why You’ll Love This Tortilla Garlic Bread Recipe
- Quick and easy: Perfect for busy weeknights when you need garlic bread in minutes without the traditional dough preparation.
- High in protein: The clever addition of cottage cheese boosts the protein content while creating a deliciously cheesy texture.
- Customizable for everyone: Easily swap tortilla types based on preferences – use corn for gluten-free or low-carb options for keto.
- Air fryer efficient: Get perfectly crispy, cheesy garlic bread in your air fryer in just 10 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make protein garlic bread with tortillas:
White Corn Tortillas: I love how these crisp up so beautifully in the air fryer! Any tortillas will work here – flour ones for a more traditional taste or low-carb ones if you’re watching carbs. Just make sure they fit in your air fryer basket.
Cottage Cheese: This is my secret weapon! The cottage cheese melts into this amazing creamy layer and adds so much protein. If you’re not a cottage cheese fan (though you won’t even taste it once it’s melted!), ricotta or even Greek yogurt works too.
Mozzarella Cheese: Nothing beats mozzarella for that perfect stretch when you pull apart the pieces. I’ve made this with cheddar in a pinch, and my kids actually loved the sharper flavor. Dairy-free shreds work great if you need that option.
Garlic Powder: So much easier than mincing fresh garlic, though I sometimes use fresh when I have the time. A little garlic powder goes a long way here – it’s what gives you that classic garlic bread flavor we all crave.
Italian Seasoning: I always keep this blend in my pantry because it’s such a time-saver. If you don’t have it, just throw in whatever dried herbs you have – oregano, basil, and a touch of thyme work perfectly.
Butter: Just a tiny bit gives the top tortilla that gorgeous golden crispiness. I’ve used olive oil spray when I’m in a hurry, and it works almost as well.
Coarse Sea Salt: That little sprinkle on top makes all the difference! I love the slight crunch it adds. Regular salt works fine too, but the coarse kind gives you those perfect little pops of saltiness.
Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet
This recipe is naturally easy to tweak! Follow these simple swaps to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan while keeping the same great texture and flavor.
Gluten-Free: Use corn tortillas or certified gluten-free tortillas instead of flour tortillas. Double-check your seasoning blends to ensure they’re gluten-free.
Dairy-Free: Replace the cottage cheese with dairy-free cottage cheese alternatives or blended silken tofu. Use dairy-free mozzarella style shreds and plant-based butter.
Vegan: Combine the dairy-free swaps above and use a mixture of silken tofu blended with nutritional yeast in place of cottage cheese for a protein-rich, cheesy flavor.
💡 Pro Tip: If you try a substitution, let us know how it worked in the comments!
How to Make My Tortilla Garlic Bread with Cottage Cheese Recipe
Here are easy, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prepare and Toast
Place 1 white corn tortilla in the air fryer basket and toast for 4 minutes at 400°F until it begins to crisp up. Meanwhile, drain any excess liquid from 1/4 cup cottage cheese.
Step 2: Layer and Season
Spread the drained cottage cheese over the toasted tortilla. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Top with half the mozzarella cheese. Spread 1 teaspoon butter on the second tortilla and place it butter-side-up on top. Sprinkle with remaining seasonings, cheese, and sea salt.
Step 3: Air Fry and Serve
Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F until golden and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice into quarters and enjoy!
Expert Recipe Tips
Drain excess cottage cheese liquid: Pouring off any extra whey from the cottage cheese prevents the bottom tortilla from becoming soggy while cooking.
Pre-toasting the bottom tortilla: This crucial step ensures your bottom layer isn’t soggy and creates a sturdy base that can hold all the delicious toppings.
Don’t overload the tortillas: A thin, even layer of cheese works best for proper melting and fusing the layers together without spillover in your air fryer.
Watch closely during final cooking: Air fryers can vary in temperature, so keep an eye on your garlic bread during the last minute to prevent burning the cheese on top.
Cut with a pizza cutter: Using a sharp pizza wheel rather than a knife gives you clean slices without dragging the melted cheese.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Pair with pasta dishes: I like to serve this alongside my protein bolognese pasta or creamy pesto sauce pasta for a complete meal. You’ll love it because it scoops up sauce perfectly without the heaviness of traditional garlic bread.
- Dip in marinara sauce: Set out a small bowl of warm marinara for dipping these cheesy triangles. You’ll enjoy how the acidic tomato sauce balances the rich, cheesy flavor.
- Cut into small triangles for appetizers: I often make these as party starters by cutting them into smaller pieces. You’ll appreciate how they stay crisp even when sitting out for a while.
- Add a side salad: Balance the meal with my chicken caesar salad with homemade caesar salad dressing. The fresh crispness makes a perfect contrast to the warm, cheesy bread.
Do you love gluten-free bread? Check out more of my easy side dish bread recipes:
Tortilla Garlic Bread with Cottage Cheese (GF Option)
Ingredients
- 2 white corn tortillas
- 3 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 pinches coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon butter
Instructions
- Place 1 white corn tortilla in the air fryer basket and toast for 4 minutes at 400°F until it begins to crisp up. Meanwhile, drain any excess liquid from 1/4 cup cottage cheese.
- Spread the drained cottage cheese over the toasted tortilla. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Top with half the mozzarella cheese. Spread 1 teaspoon butter on the second tortilla and place it butter-side-up on top. Sprinkle with remaining seasonings, cheese, and sea salt.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F until golden and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice into quarters and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
Cottage cheese…really?? That’s what I thought until I tried it and loved it!!
Thank you, Spence! I’m so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
I’m so excited for you to try this fun and easy recipe that has all the flavor but fewer carbs than regular garlic bread 🙂