Don’t buy frozen food or food from the grocery store’s counter. Making garlic bread from home is surprisingly easy and much more satisfying. You probably already have all the ingredients for this recipe, it comes together quickly, and it bakes well. Let’s get started on making the best garlic bread you’ve ever had!
The Best Garlic Bread Recipe
- Amazing Taste: The garlic, butter, herbs, and toastiness are all in perfect balance.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses things you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Quick to Make: It only takes 10 minutes to get ready for the oven.
- Fits in with a lot of foods, like spaghetti, soups, salads, and more.
- You can change the amount of garlic and herbs to suit your taste.
Details about the garlic bread recipe
Primary Keyword: Best Garlic Bread
Secondary Keywords: garlic butter, easy garlic bread, homemade garlic bread, toasted bread, garlic bread recipe
Time to get ready: 5 minutes
Time to bake: 10–12 minutes
Makes: One loaf, which is around 10 to 12 slices.
Category: Side Dishes and Bread
Cuisine: Italian-American food
The Best Garlic Bread Needs These Things
You only need a few basic ingredients to make this really filling side dish.
- 1 loaf of French or Italian bread, cut into thick slices or long slices
- 1 stick or 113g, or ½ cup softened unsalted butter
- 2–4 cloves of garlic, minced (or 1–2 tablespoons of garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon of dried parsley)
- ½ teaspoon of salt (optional, add more or less to taste)
- A little bit of black pepper
- Optional: Parmesan cheese that has been grated for topping
How to Make the Best Garlic Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide
It’s quite easy to make amazing garlic bread from home. These steps can help you get great results.
Part 1: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture.
-
Soften the butter:
Make sure your butter is soft enough to be at room temperature. This makes it simple to mix and disseminate.
-
Chop parsley and mince garlic:
Chop your fresh garlic cloves very small. If you’re using dried herbs, make sure to measure them out. Cut up your fresh parsley.
-
Put together the ingredients for garlic butter:
Mix the softened butter, minced garlic (or garlic powder), chopped parsley, salt (if using), and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are properly mixed and you have a smooth, fragrant garlic butter spread.
Step 2: Put together and bake the garlic bread
-
Make the bread:
Cut your loaf of bread. You can cut it into thick slices (approximately 1 to 1.5 inches thick) or horizontally for a classic pull-apart technique. If you want the pieces to stay attached, don’t cut all the way through them when you slice them.
-
Spread the butter and garlic:
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the sliced sides of the bread. Check every nook and cranny!
-
Add cheese if you want:
If you want, you can add grated Parmesan cheese on top of the garlic butter for a crunchy topping and more savory flavor.
-
Wrap and Bake (Optional First Step):
Wrapping the whole loaf tightly in aluminum foil will make the garlic bread even softer. This makes the bread a little steamy, which makes it really soft on the inside. Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
-
To make it crispy, broil or bake it:
If the food is wrapped in foil, unwrap it. If not, put the bread right on the baking sheet. Broil for 1 to 3 minutes, or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 2 to 4 more minutes, until the tops are golden brown and bubbling. Watch it extremely closely at this point so it doesn’t burn!
-
Serve Right Away:
The ideal way to eat garlic bread is when it’s hot and fresh. Cut it up and enjoy!
How to Make the Best Garlic Bread
These easy tips will help you make better garlic bread:
- Use softened butter so that it spreads easily and evenly.
- Fresh Garlic is Best: Fresh minced garlic tastes better than garlic powder, even if garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Use a Lot of Garlic: You can change the amount to your liking, but don’t be afraid to use a lot for the best flavor.
- Fresh parsley makes everything brighter: You can really taste and see the difference when you use fresh herbs.
- Look at the Broiler: Under the broiler, garlic bread can go from perfectly toasted to burned in a matter of seconds. Stay alert!
- Think about the bread: A decent baguette, Italian loaf, or even challah bread is fine. Sometimes, old bread is a good choice because it soaks up the butter better without getting too soggy.
How to Serve Your Perfect Garlic Bread
You can use garlic bread in so many ways. Put it next to:
- Your favorite pasta meals, such as Spaghetti Marinara or Fettuccine Alfredo.
- Soups that fill you up, like Tomato Soup or French Onion Soup.
- Fresh salads that are nice and crunchy.
- As part of a special meal’s bread basket.
- For dipping into things like baked ziti or chicken parmesan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kind of bread is ideal for garlic bread?
The greatest garlic bread is usually baked with a crusty bread, such a French baguette or an Italian loaf. The crust is strong enough to hold up to the butter and garlic, while the inside is soft enough to soak up the flavors. Day-old bread can also be great because it’s a little drier and doesn’t become soggy as easily.
Can I prepare garlic butter ahead of time?
You can definitely make the garlic butter mix ahead of time! You may keep it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days if you put it in an airtight container. Before putting it on the bread, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften. This is a terrific way to save time on weeknight dinners.
How do I keep my garlic bread from getting soggy?
Make sure your butter is soft but not melted to keep your garlic bread from getting soggy. Don’t add too much liquid to your butter mixture. You can bake the bread directly on the oven rack (with a sheet of foil underneath to catch drips) or on a baking sheet with parchment paper on top to make the bottom extra crispy. If you’re utilizing the foil-wrap approach first, make sure to take it off before the last broil or bake to acquire that all-important crispness.
What are the best herbs to use on garlic bread?
You can use parsley, which is a classic herb that adds a nice freshness, but you can also try other herbs. Chives, oregano, thyme, or a blend of Italian herbs are other tasty herbs that go well with garlic and butter. If you want, you can add a little heat with some red pepper flakes.
Is it possible to freeze garlic bread?
You can make the garlic butter, spread it on the bread, and then wrap the loaf firmly in foil and plastic wrap before baking it. You can freeze it for up to two months. Take off the plastic wrap and leave it in the foil. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20–25 minutes, then unwrap and broil/bake for the last few minutes until golden.
Beyond the Basics: How to Find the Right Garlic Bread for You
Garlic bread is a great base for taste. Add a little Italian spice, onion powder, or even lemon zest to your garlic butter to give it a new flavor. Serve it with my Creamy Chicken Alfredo or a fresh Caesar Salad for a great supper. If you want to know more about the science behind getting the optimum toastiness, look out the Maillard process in cooking.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread, sliced horizontally or into thick slices
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2-4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1-2 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Soften Butter: Ensure butter is softened to room temperature.
- Prep Aromatics: Mince garlic and chop parsley.
- Mix Garlic Butter: Combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt (if using), and pepper. Mix well.
- Prepare Bread: Slice bread horizontally or into thick slices.
- Spread Butter: Generously spread garlic butter mixture over cut surfaces of the bread.
- Add Cheese (Optional): Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the butter.
- Wrap & Bake (Optional): Wrap loaf in foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes for softer bread.
- Broil/Bake Crispy: Unwrap (if foiled) and broil for 1-3 minutes or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 2-4 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Slice and serve immediately while hot.
Share Your Bread Masterpieces!
Have you made this recipe? We’d love to see your creations! Share your bread photos on Instagram and tag us @[YourBlogInstagramHandle] or use the hashtag #[YourBlogHashtag]. Let us know in the comments below how it turned out or any variations you tried!
