Garlic Bread
This ultimate garlic bread is crisp around the edges, soft and buttery in the middle, and packed with garlic and herbs. It’s a comforting Italian-American staple that’s a welcome addition to any meal, from pasta marinara, to minestrone soup, to a mighty bowl of steamed clams. Even better? It’s made with a handful of ingredients and ready in minutes.
This recipe was written for the Arizona Republic.
What makes this garlic bread so special? This homemade garlic bread features creamy butter, fresh herbs, and roasted garlic. It’s also perfectly toasted in about 10 minutes.
Some garlic bread recipes call for melted butter, but I prefer using softened butter because, as it melts, it keeps the center of the bread soft and chewy while the edges crisp up in the oven.
In addition, some recipes for garlic bread use garlic powder and dried herbs but trust me – fresh cloves of garlic and vibrant fresh parsley will guarantee restaurant-quality garlic bread from your own cozy kitchen.
Here’s what you need for this garlic bread
- Bread. I prefer a loaf of Italian bread for this garlic bread because it delivers a crisp exterior and soft middle, and you get nice, thick slices. That said, you can certainly use a loaf of soft French bread, sourdough, or a crisp baguette. When shopping, look for a loaf that’s about 14 to 16 ounces. If you only find smaller loaves (say 8 ounces), buy two or halve the recipe.
- Butter. We use an entire stick of butter in this recipe, and it’s magical. The butter is softened and blended with garlic, parsley, and salt before blanketing the halved bread. As the bread bakes, the butter melts into all the nooks and crannies while keeping it delightfully chewy. I prefer unsalted butter here, but if you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of salt you use by about half.
- Garlic. Only fresh cloves will do for this garlic bread! Minced garlic is woven into softened butter and, as the bread bakes, it roasts to caramelized perfection. You simply can’t achieve that roasted garlic flavor with garlic powder.
- Herbs. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to this garlic bread. The flecks of green transform the bread into a show-stopping side dish. If desired, you may use chopped fresh chives, or a combination of parsley and chives.
- Salt. A pinch of salt elevates the flavor of the butter mixture and seasons the bread.
Optional:
- Cheese. This garlic bread is fabulous as is, but if you prefer cheesy garlic bread, add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and/or 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Add the cheese to the bread for the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
- Crushed red pepper flakes. For a smidge of color and a little heat, add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the butter mixture (or more/less to taste).
You can make this garlic bread as crispy or as chewy as you want. For garlic bread that’s crisp around the edges and chewy in the middle, bake your bread for 10 to 15 minutes. If you like crispier bread, add 3 to 5 minutes to the cooking time. For super soft, untoasted garlic bread, wrap the halves in foil before baking and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you make vegan garlic bread instead? Yes! If you’re a fan of garlic bread but also dodging dairy, swap in your favorite vegan butter for regular butter. If you’re making cheesy garlic bread, add your favorite vegan cheese for the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
How should you serve this garlic bread? This garlic bread makes an excellent appetizer or side dish when served with a variety of dishes. Consider serving this garlic bread with the following.
- Pasta with marinara sauce, or Bolognese sauce, or spaghetti and meatballs
- Soup, such as minestrone, Italian wedding, clam chowder, cioppino (seafood stew), and tomato
- Meatballs and gravy
- Macaroni and cheese
- Chicken Alfredo or fettuccine Alfredo
- Caesar salad
- Italian chopped salad
- Chili – beef, turkey, or vegetarian
- Steamed clams
- Beef stew
- Brisket
- BBQ chicken or ribs
- Grilled calamari
- Poached or fried eggs
Use this garlic bread to make:
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Cheese steak sandwiches
- Meatball subs
- Avocado toast
- Bruschetta
Can you prep this garlic bread in advance? Definitely. To prepare this garlic bread in advance, assemble it as instructed, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. When refrigerated, remove the plastic and bake as directed. When frozen, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding 3 to 5 minutes to the cooking time (there’s no need to thaw the bread before baking).
How should you store leftover garlic bread?
Once cool, wrap leftover garlic bread in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and warm in a 350-degree oven until hot throughout, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on if it’s been refrigerated or frozen.
Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread, French bread, sourdough, or baguette, about 14 to 16 ounces
- 1/2 cup 1 stick butter, preferably unsalted, softened to room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon salt, such as sea salt or flaky salt, or slightly less if using salted butter
Optional
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Halve the bread lengthwise and transfer the halves to the prepared pan, cut side up.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt. Mix until well blended. Spread the butter mixture all over the cut side of the bread.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the bread is golden brown around the edges. For crispier bread, add 3 to 5 more minutes, until you reach your desired level of crispness. For super soft garlic bread, wrap the halves in aluminum foil before baking and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
- When adding cheese, add it to the bread for the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking.
- Slice and serve warm or room temperature.