We’re going to call this my family’s essential garlic bread recipe. It’s a family favorite, and after seeing how easy it is, I bet it will be for you, too. Stop buying store-bought garlic bread and make your own with our easy recipe. It tastes so much better! You can even prepare it in advance. I’ve shared all my tips below the recipe.
Key Ingredients
Bread: I prefer using a French or Italian loaf for my garlic bread. The ideal bread isn’t overly crusty on the outside and has a wonderfully soft center. Ciabatta, a country loaf, or even simple French bread are excellent choices. Butter: I tend to use salted butter and add a pinch more salt, but unsalted butter works, too (I’ve included a tip for adding extra salt below the recipe). You’ll spread the garlic butter over the bread, so make sure it’s softened. Garlic: I’m generous with the fresh garlic in my garlic bread spread. Mince it finely, or use a garlic press. If you enjoy roasted garlic (it’s sweeter and milder), try my roasted garlic bread recipe. Herbs: I like to add some color to the butter with fresh chopped parsley or basil. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, no worries; just leave them out. Cheese: This is entirely optional, but my family loves cheesy garlic bread. I sprinkle on some grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
How to Make Garlic Bread
The trick for soft, buttery garlic bread is to wrap your bread in foil or parchment paper. This way, the bread stays soft in the middle and becomes crispy around the edges. This garlic bread recipe creates a soft, warm, buttery center. It’s divine. To make my family’s favorite garlic bread, slice your bread loaf in half, lengthwise. Then, make your garlic butter with softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper. Spread the butter all over both bread halves. Be generous. Then wrap the bread in foil and bake in a hot oven until the butter melts into the bread. Unwrap the garlic bread and place the cut sides facing up. Scatter cheese on top and bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts and the edges of the bread crisp up a little. Or, if you are skipping the cheese, leave the cheese off and bake until the edges are crispy. Easy!
What to Eat with Garlic Bread
This homemade garlic bread is so delicious. Here are a few of our favorite recipes to serve it with:
I love dipping cheesy garlic bread into a bowl of soup. Try this creamy vegetable soup, easy tomato soup, or this roasted butternut squash soup. I love serving these easy turkey meatballs with garlic bread. The tomato basil sauce is made from scratch (it’s so easy). Swapping pasta for garlic bread is also an excellent plan when making our shrimp scampi. And speaking of pasta, this garlic bread would be incredible next to lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, or our weeknight spaghetti!
8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, softened 4 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 1 cup (113g) grated mozzarella cheese, optional 1/4 cup (14g) finely grated parmesan cheese, optional 2Stir the softened butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well blended. 3Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Face the bread halves cut-side up, and then divide the garlic butter mixture between each half. 4Spread the butter into an even layer, ensuring you spread all the way to the edges. Put the bread halves back together and wrap them with foil. 5Place the wrapped garlic bread onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip the bread and bake another 5 to 10 minutes or until the butter has melted into the middle of the loaf. 6Unwrap the foil, then position the bread halves so that the cut side is facing up. Scatter the cheese over the bread, then bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts and the edges of the bread crisp up a little, about 5 minutes. (If you skip the cheese, leave it off and bake until the edges are crispy.) 7Slice and serve warm. You can also wrap the garlic bread in foil and keep it warm in a warm oven (170°F to 200°F).
