Description
Learn how to make the most incredible homemade garlic bread with this easy recipe! Featuring a perfect garlic butter spread with fresh herbs and optional melty cheese, this garlic bread is ready in just 15 minutes and pairs beautifully with any meal. Better than restaurant-style and perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Ingredient List
For the Garlic Bread:
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread (about 12–16 inches)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for cheesy garlic bread)
- Optional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese
Substitutions & Friendly Notes:
- Bread: Any crusty bread works! Try sourdough, ciabatta, or even a baguette.
- Butter: You can use salted butter and skip the extra salt. Margarine works in a pinch, but butter gives the best flavor.
- Garlic: Garlic powder (about 1 teaspoon) can substitute fresh, but fresh garlic truly makes this recipe shine!
- Parsley: Dried parsley (1 tablespoon) works, or use fresh basil or cilantro for a twist.
- Cheese: Feel free to skip for classic garlic bread, or go wild with cheddar, provolone, or a blend!
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature is perfect for getting the bread toasty without drying it out too quickly.
Slice the loaf in half lengthwise so you have two long pieces. Use a good serrated knife and slice carefully—you want nice, even halves that will bake evenly.
In a bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt until well combined. Make sure your butter is truly soft (not melted!) so everything incorporates beautifully. Give it a good stir until you see all that garlic and herbs distributed throughout.
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Be generous! Don’t be shy here—get it all the way to the edges. Every bite should have that garlicky goodness.
If making cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the buttered bread. Add that optional Parmesan on top for extra flavor!
Place the bread on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Make sure they’re not overlapping so they bake evenly.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the bread is warm and toasty. You’ll know it’s ready when you can smell that incredible garlicky aroma wafting through your kitchen!
For extra golden cheese and crispier edges, switch to broil for an additional 1–2 minutes. WATCH CAREFULLY to avoid burning—this step happens fast!
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly for about 2–3 minutes. Slice into pieces and serve immediately while it’s still warm and the cheese is gloriously melty!
Notes
- Mince your garlic finely: Large chunks can burn and turn bitter. Use a garlic press or mince it super fine for the best distribution.
- Room temperature butter is key: If you forgot to soften your butter, cut it into small cubes and microwave for 5–8 seconds at a time until soft but not melted.
- Watch the broiler: Set a timer for 1 minute when broiling. Garlic bread can go from perfect to burnt in seconds!
- Make it ahead: Prepare the garlic butter mixture and spread it on the bread, then wrap tightly in foil. Refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freeze for later: Wrap prepared (unbaked) garlic bread tightly in foil, then plastic wrap. Freeze up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 15–18 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American