Easy Garlic Bread Recipe
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Follow our step-by-step guide to make this flavorful and easy garlic bread recipe. It has the perfect balance of golden crust and delicious garlic flavor that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
For even more garlic bread goodness, check out these recipes too! Garlic Dinner Rolls, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and Air Fryer Crostini.
Soft and garlicky on the inside, crispy on the outside, and it’s crazy easy to make as well.
Ingredients
- A loaf of French bread, or Italian bread from the bakery section of your local grocery store.
- Softened unsalted butter
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced or finely minced with a garlic press
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.
How to make homemade garlic bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt. You can adjust the amount of garlic based on your preference.
Try to resist licking the spoon…or fork. 😉
Option 1:
Slice the loaf of bread vertically, creating 1-inch thick slices using a serrated knife. Do not cut all the way through, stop just before you reach the bottom crust.
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
*If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle over the butter on each slice. Brush any left over butter mixture over the top crust and sprinkle with additional Parmesan.
Wrap the entire loaf in foil, folding the top closed and place on a large baking sheet.
Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the butter has melted into the bread.
Option 2:
Slice the loaf in half horizontally, right down the middle. Brush each side with butter mixture and Parmesan cheese if using.
Wrap the entire loaf in foil, folding the top closed and place on a heavy baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
Option 2.5:
Place the bread loaf halves on a heavy baking sheet and Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and toasted. Do Not step away from the oven!!
Once done, remove the crispy garlic bread from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve this amazing garlic bread alongside a big bowl of pasta (like this Instant Pot Spaghetti), soup (like Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup), or as a tasty appetizer.
I could have sworn that I had more pictures of garlic bread in previous posts, oh well you will just have to visualize how to cut in the other direction.
Expert Tips
- If you do not want your food touching aluminum foil, wrap your loaf in parchment paper first, then wrap it in foil.
- Parmesan is optional because my son is allergic to dairy. I usually make half of the loaf with cheese and the other half without.
- I sometimes sprinkle paprika over the top of the garlic butter mixture to add a bit of color.
FAQ’s
Yes, technically you can use regular sliced bread but it’s not the the traditional choice for garlic bread. Using French or Italian bread will give you the best results with it’s chewy texture and surface area for the garlic butter to melt into.
Nice, thick slices of Texas toast is also a delicious option, especially when cooked on the grill (and served with perfect grilled steak and crispy baked potato).
You absolutely can, but fresh garlic adds a more robust flavor.
For best results, prepare the garlic butter mixture in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, spread the garlic mixture on the bread and bake. This will help to ensure that the bread stays nice and crispy.
Leftover garlic bread can be stored at room temperature for a day or two in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven.
If your garlic bread become stale, cut it into cubes to make homemade croutons or pulverize in a food processor to make breadcrumbs.
Absolutely! Double wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and place in a zipper top freezer bag or airtight container. To reheat, unwrap and bake in a preheated oven until warmed through.
Yes! Customize your garlic bread with herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, or Italian seasoning. Experiment with your favorite fresh herbs, or sprinkle with red pepper flakes to create your own unique masterpiece.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!
Tag @cookingwithcurls on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!
Enjoy!!
Easy Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 pound loaf French or Italian bread
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large cloves fresh garlic minced or pressed – adjust amount to your liking
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley or combination of your favorite fresh herbs
- .25 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese optional
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt. You can adjust the amount of garlic based on your preference.
Option 1:
- Slice the loaf of bread vertically, creating 1-inch thick slices with a serrated knife. Do not cut all the way through, stop just before you reach the bottom crust.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
- *If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle over the butter on each slice. Brush any left over butter mixture over the top crust and sprinkle with additional Parmesan.
- Wrap the entire loaf in foil, folding the top closed and place on a large baking sheet. Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the butter has melted into the bread.
Option 2:
- Slice the loaf in half horizontally, right down the middle. Brush each side with butter mixture and Parmesan cheese if using.
- Wrap the entire loaf in foil, folding the top closed and place on a heavy baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
Option 2.5:
- Place the bread loaf halves on a heavy baking sheet and Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and toasted. Do Not step away from the oven!!
- Once done, remove the crispy garlic bread from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
- If you do not want your food touching aluminum foil, wrap your loaf in parchment paper first, then wrap it in foil.
- Parmesan is optional because my son is allergic to dairy. I usually make half of the loaf with cheese and the other half without.
- I sometimes sprinkle paprika over the top of the garlic butter mixture to add a bit of color.
- Leftover garlic bread can be stored at room temperature for a day or two in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven.
- To freeze: Double wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and place in a zipper top freezer bag or airtight container. To reheat, unwrap and bake in a preheated oven until warmed through.
Holy cow that bread! I want to eat that entire loaf.
YUM!!, made tonight, with grilled steak, shrimp and corn on the cob. It was great, heated on the bbq.
Yay, I’m so glad you liked it Pam!! Thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂
This looks amazing. I am so glad I found this recipe; I have gotten to the point where I don’t like buying store boughten garlic bread. I can’t wait to try this.
OMG. I can’t even…
Making this epic garlic bread tonight!!
The Garlic Bread looks great. Thank you for sharing at the Pin Junkie.
I am always looking for new recipes to try. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this week. I am sure it will be a big hit.