This recipe makes the best garlic bread with crispy edges and a soft, buttery center. It’s incredibly easy to make, and you can even prepare it ahead of time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining. This one is a keeper!
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!
Easy Garlic Bread
- PREP
- COOK
- TOTAL
The trick for the best 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.
You Will Need
1 bread loaf, French or Italian bread, 1 pound loaf
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
Directions
1Set the oven rack to the center position. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Set a large baking sheet aside.
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).
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Salted butter: Reduce the salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Make ahead garlic butter: You can prepare the garlic butter spread in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Soften before using.
- To make garlic bread ahead: You can spread the bread with garlic butter for up to 8 hours before baking. Wrap and refrigerate until 30 minutes before baking. You can also freeze it! Wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours at room temperature. Then, bake as directed.
- Vegetarian tips: Look for vegetarian-friendly parmesan or substitute with a vegetarian-friendly alternative.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
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This recipe makes the best garlic bread with crispy edges and a soft, buttery center. It’s so easy to make, and you can even prep it ahead of time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re hosting! Seriously, this one’s a keeper—you’ll want to make it over and over again!
Garlic bread was very good and easy to make.
Thanks 🙂
On the buttery garlic bread can the spread be made up and kept to use when you need it
That’s a great idea. The butter is best when used within 5 days or so.
I love your recipes, especially the one for focaccia and hummus. I will definitely try the one for garlic bread:) and all the tips, I really like the blog 🙂
Awww…thank you for the kind comment 🙂