Garlic Bread Recipe
This homemade Garlic Bread Recipe delivers warm, crunchy, buttery perfection in just 20 minutes—ideal as an Italian-style appetizer or side dish.
I still remember the first time I baked garlic bread from scratch—my kitchen smelled like a little trattoria in Rome. This isn’t just any garlic toast; it’s a simple, no-fuss recipe that brings out the best in fresh Italian bread, high-quality butter, and fragrant garlic cloves. With just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand, you’ll get that classic seasoned flavor, a golden crust that cracks satisfyingly under your fork, and a tender center that soaks up every bit of melted garlic butter. Whether you’re hosting Sunday dinner, curling up with a bowl of soup, or adding a warm side dish to a weeknight pasta, this garlic bread is the one you’ll keep coming back to. Plus, it’s easy to tweak for special diets—just swap in vegan butter or sprinkle on dairy-free cheese.
According to Google Trends data, search interest in “garlic bread” spikes during the holiday season—and for good reason. It’s festive, simple, and loved by all ages. I like to serve it alongside my creamy tomato soup on a crisp fall evening, or jazz it up with a hit of red pepper flakes when friends stop by for wine. You’ll find tips here on every step—from choosing the ideal loaf (artisan or store-bought) to getting that perfect crunch without overbaking. Ready to make your guests swoon?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 20 minutes—because who has all day to wait for bread?
- Uses pantry staples—save time and money with simple ingredients.
- Perfectly balanced garlic-butter ratio—no too-strong burn or too-bland spread.
- Crispy edges with a soft, warm center—texture heaven every bite.
- Customizable—add herbs, cheese, or spicy notes to please any crowd.
- Works as an appetizer, side dish, or even a snack—versatility for the win.
- Crowd-pleaser—kid-friendly and grown-up-approved.
- Great for make-ahead prep—assemble, chill, then bake when you’re ready.
Ingredients
• 1 (16-oz) loaf Italian bread, sliced lengthwise (sub: French baguette)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (I love Land O Lakes for consistency)
• 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced (or 1½ tsp jarred minced garlic)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried parsley flakes)
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but so tasty)
• ½ tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a wee kick)
Tips:
- Use room-temperature butter so it spreads easily.
- Fresh garlic gives the best fragrance; if you use jarred, check its oil content.
- Choose a loaf with a sturdy crust—it holds up better under the butter and heat.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium bowl, mash the softened butter with a fork. Stir in the minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until well blended.
- Spread the seasoned butter evenly over the cut sides of the bread. If you’re using Parmesan, sprinkle it generously on top.
- Place both halves, butter-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the oven on the middle rack.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, watching closely: you want golden-brown edges and bubbling butter, not a scorched loaf. For extra crunch, switch to broil for the last 1–2 minutes—just keep an eye on it!
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a couple of minutes. Slice into serving pieces with a serrated knife, catching that first whiff of garlicky goodness.
Servings & Timing
Makes 8–10 slices
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: About 20 minutes from start to finish
Variations
• Cheesy Herb: Swap Parmesan for shredded mozzarella and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
• Lemon-Garlic Twist: Add 1 tsp lemon zest to the butter mixture for a bright, fresh note.
• Vegan Style: Use dairy-free spread and nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
• Spicy Jalapeño: Stir in 1 tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeños for heat and zest.
• Garlic-Rosemary: Replace parsley with fresh rosemary leaves, chopped finely.
• Everything Bagel: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store cooled slices in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices in foil and freeze for up to 1 month.
To Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F, unwrap, and bake 5–7 minutes until warmed through and crisp. For a quicker fix, zap in the toaster oven for 3–4 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tip: Spread butter on the loaf, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Notes
• Testing tip: If your butter pool doesn’t sizzle immediately, your oven might be slightly cooler—bump it up by 10–15°F.
• Texture hack: For extra flakiness, grate cold butter over the bread and then press it into the surface.
• Flavor boost: Let the mixed butter sit for 10 minutes so the garlic and herbs infuse deeply.
• Bread choice matters: A chewy ciabatta loaf gives more toothsome bites, while a softer baguette yields fluffier results.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen garlic?
A: Sure—just thaw it and pat dry to avoid watery butter.
Q: Why is my garlic bread soggy?
A: Likely too much moisture—use drier bread or press the garlic butter firmly into the crust.
Q: Can I prep this completely the night before?
A: Yes; keep wrapped and chilled, then bake fresh the next day for best crunch.
Q: Is there a dairy-free option?
A: Absolutely—swap vegan butter and skip the cheese or use dairy-free parmesan.
Q: How do I prevent burnt garlic?
A: Mixing garlic into softened butter rather than placing raw pieces on top reduces direct heat contact.
Q: Can I grill the garlic bread instead of baking?
A: Definitely—grill on medium heat, butter-side down first, about 3–4 minutes per side.
Q: What’s the best way to slice the loaf?
A: Use a serrated knife, sawing gently back and forth to avoid squashing the bread.
Q: Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
A: Yes, just scale quantities and bake in batches so each loaf gets optimal crisping.
Conclusion
This Garlic Bread Recipe is your ticket to buttery, seasoned, crunchy comfort—fast enough for weeknights, special enough for gatherings. Give it a whirl, and you’ll see why we all rush back for “just one more slice.” Got questions or tweaks? Drop a comment below, share your favorite spin, and don’t miss my Tomato Bruschetta and Easy Alfredo Pasta for more comforting sides!
Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Italian bread sliced lengthwise
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated (optional)
- ½ tsp sea salt adjust to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- crushed red pepper flakes pinch (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium bowl, mash the softened butter and mix in minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until well blended.
- Spread the seasoned butter evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese if using.
- Place both halves, butter-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden-brown edges appear. For extra crunch, broil for the last 1–2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven, let rest for a couple of minutes, then slice into serving pieces with a serrated knife. Enjoy the garlicky goodness!
