Turn a basic loaf of bread into something absolutely magical with this garlic bread recipe!
It’s crunchy, aromatic, and absolutely bursting with buttery flavor.
Serve it with cowboy spaghetti for the ultimate family feast. Or enjoy it as a snack. Either way, you’ll love this garlic bread recipe.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a beloved staple, transforming a simple loaf of bread into a mouthwatering treat.
It all starts with minced garlic, which infuses melted butter with its distinctive aroma and flavor.
French or Italian bread is the perfect canvas for the flavors. Sliced horizontally, it soaks up that gloriously infused butter.
As it bakes, the garlic bread fills your kitchen with an enticing scent that’ll make your mouth water.
This delectable bread is a harmony of textures and flavors. It boasts a crunchy exterior, a soft, buttery interior, and an unforgettable garlic-forward flavor profile.
Ingredients
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make the best garlic bread you’ll ever have.
- Loaf of French or Italian Bread – Both have a great crust and a soft, airy interior. Their size and shape also allow for good size slices.
- Unsalted Butter – The base for the garlic spread. It melts beautifully into the bread, carrying the garlic and herbs.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic provides the iconic flavor of garlic bread. It’s powerful, so a little goes a long way.
- Salt and pepper – To enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Fresh Parsley (optional) – While not essential, parsley can add a fresh, slightly peppery flavor and a pop of color.
- Parmesan Cheese (optional) – It adds a salty, nutty flavor to the garlic bread. When it’s broiled on top, it also adds a nice crispy texture.
How to Make Garlic Bread
Follow these simple steps to indulge in garlic bread heaven.
1. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking sheet. Set the oven to 400°F(205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the butter mixture. Mix the butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley until it’s smooth and well-blended.
3. Prepare the bread and apply the butter mixture. Cut the bread in half horizontally into two flat slabs. Spread the butter mixture evenly over each piece. Be sure to get to the edges.
4. Bake the bread. Place the bread cut-side up on the baking sheet and bake it until golden, about 10-15 minutes. Add the cheese in the final 2 minutes, if desired.
5. Cut the bread and serve. Slice the bread into small, handy pieces. Serve it and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Garlic Bread
This garlic bread recipe is the best. And these easy tips make it even better!
- Fresh is best. Freshly minced garlic and herbs (like parsley or basil) will give your garlic bread the most flavor.
- Get roasting. For a milder, sweeter flavor, consider roasting the garlic before mixing it with the butter. Roasted garlic has a much less aggressive flavor than raw.
- Quality control. Use high-quality butter, as this will also affect the taste of your garlic bread. Opt for unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of your spread.
- Temperature is key. Ensure the butter is at room temperature before mixing with the other ingredients. This step will ensure it’s easily spreadable.
- Be cheesy! Freshly grated Parmesan cheese can add another level of flavor. It creates an excellent melted and slightly browned top.
- Be generous with the spread. When applying the butter mixture, get it into all the nooks and crannies of the bread. More flavor gets packed in this way.
- Wrap it up. Wrap the bread in foil during the first 10 minutes of baking. This step results in a crisp exterior that’s fluffy on the inside.
Remember, the beauty of garlic bread is in its simplicity.
High-quality, fresh ingredients and careful attention to your cooking process will yield the best results. Enjoy your cooking!
Storing, Reheating, and Freezing
It’s unlikely that you’ll have leftovers – especially if you serve it with this creamy beef and shells dinner!
But here’s how to store garlic bread in case you do.
To Store: Place leftover garlic bread in an air-tight container or zip-top bag. You can keep it at room temperature for 3 to 5 days.
Avoid storing it in the refrigerator, as it can dry out and become stale.
To Reheat: To retain the garlic bread’s crispy texture, it’s best to reheat it in the oven.
- Wrap the bread in foil before reheating. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the bread for 15 minutes or until heated.
- Remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking for crispier bread. Keep an eye on the bread to ensure it doesn’t burn.
To Freeze:
Do you want to make garlic bread in advance? You can freeze a prepared and unbaked loaf. Or if you have a lot of leftovers, freezing baked garlic bread is the way to go.
- Wrap each piece individually in foil. If you’re freezing baked garlic bread, ensure it has cooled from the initial baking.
- Place the wrapped pieces in a zip-top bag or air-tight container. The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen garlic bread, there’s no need to thaw it. Simply follow the reheating steps above.
Serving Suggestions
- Baked Spaghetti
- Pesto Pasta
- Prego Lasagna
- Creamy Potato Soup
- Barilla Lasagna
- Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
- Lemon Spaghetti
- Bowl of Chili
- Butternut Squash Soup
Best Garlic Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Have
8
servings10
minutes15
minutes155
kcalThis is the best garlic bread recipe ever! Made with the perfect loaf of bread, butter, garlic, and cheese, it’s soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside.
Ingredients
1 (1 pound) loaf French or Italian bread
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley in a medium bowl until smooth and well blended.
- Cut the bread in half horizontally into two flat slabs. Then, spread the butter mixture evenly over each piece. Be sure to get to the edges.
- Place the bread slabs on the lined baking sheet, cut side up. Bake it for 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly. If you add cheese, sprinkle it on top in the last 2 minutes of baking.
- Cut the garlic bread into slices and serve.
Notes
- If using salted butter, omit the additional salt in the recipe. Taste the butter mix and add more as needed.
- If you like it herby, add 1 teaspoon each of fresh rosemary and thyme, minced.
