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Did someone say Garlic Bread? Oh, mama, have I got the ultimate homemade Garlic Bread Recipe that you will love! Softened butter stirred together with fresh minced garlic, a few herbs, and two kinds of cheese with a little extra hit of garlic from garlic powder! I promise this is the best cheesy garlic bread you will ever try. Bring your own Lasagna or Spaghetti and Meatballs!
Garlic Bread Is For Lovers
We all love garlic probably more than the average Joe in my house. So, it’s no surprise that this Garlic Bread goes over really well when I bring it to the table in all its buttery, cheesy glory. The garlic breath is real over here, but thankfully we all cancel each other out and so it’s not *that* noticeable. Ha!
How To Make Garlic Bread
This might be the easiest recipe for the best garlic bread on the planet. You just have to be careful not to burn the bread under the broiler. For full recipe details, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is what you expect when making this recipe:
Make the Garlic Butter
Stir butter, garlic, garlic powder, fresh chopped parsley, cheese, and salt & pepper together in a small bowl.
Cut French Bread in Half + Spread Garlic Butter on Bread
Cut French bread in half lengthwise. Spread the garlic butter mixture generously onto the bread, being sure to spread evenly as you go.
Broil – Keeping a Careful Eye On It
Place bread onto foil lined baking sheet and broil on high for 3-5 minutes or until bread is crispy, golden brown, and bubbly. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Do I Have To Use Cheese?
I love garlic bread with cheese which is why I added a healthy half cup of it to this recipe. However, you absolutely can omit it if cheese isn’t your thing.
Do I Have To Use French Bread?
No! You can use just about any loaf of bread as long as it’s crispy. Two great substitutes would be ciabatta or baguette. I have even spread this on just regular sliced bread when in a pinch.
My bread isn’t crispy, and I want it crispy. What do I do?
I’ve noticed that some store-bought garlic bread loaves of French bread and “artisan” kinds of bread are being wrapped completely in plastic and then set neatly into their paper bags, making the previously crispy edges softer. If you fall into this camp, I’ve got you covered! Broiling the bread alone won’t give you crispy edges. Here’s how you remedy this problem:
Slice the bread in half lengthwise, keeping the loaf together. Brush the crust with a little melted butter or olive oil. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until the edges are as crispy as you’d like. Then open up the already cut loaf, spread your garlic butter generously, and broil as the recipe states. Voila! You got yourself the perfect garlic bread that is soft on the inside and has those delicious crispy edges.
What To Serve With Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a humble side dish to go with Italian food, mainly pasta. In addition to my aforementioned lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs, here are some of my other favorites to serve together with my garlic bread.
- Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Crockpot Italian Chicken Pasta
- Skinny Baked Spaghetti
- Classic Stuffed Shells
- Quick and Easy Shrimp Scampi
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Homemade Alfredo Sauce – this is great for dipping too!
Storing Leftover Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is best stored at room temperature and will stay fresh for 3-5 days. If you would like it to keep longer, freezing is a good option. To freeze, wrap your bread in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe airtight bag. Bread will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Love Garlic? Me too! Here are Some of My Favorite Garlicky Recipes:
- Parmesan & Garlic Linguine
- Hasselback Garlic Cheesy Bread
- Garlic Butter Fries
- Garlic and Herb Baked Cod
- Parmesan Bread Bites
The printable recipe card is below. Be sure to save, print, bookmark or share this recipe to keep it handy! Have a great day, friends! 🙂
Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon parsley freeze-dried or fresh
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 loaf French bread
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir butter, garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried or fresh parsley together until well combined.
- Stir in cheeses.
- Cut French bread evenly in half lengthwise and remove any excess crumbs.
- Divide the butter mixture in half and spread in an even layer across the two cut sides of the loaves.
- Place garlic bread on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil on high until brown and bubbly and melted. You may have to move the pan around to get it to broil evenly. Cut into 24 skinny pieces, 12 per side. 1 serving is 2 pieces.
Video
Nutrition
Garlic Bread FAQs
The basic ingredients for homemade garlic bread include a loaf of bread (French or Italian bread works well), butter or olive oil, minced fresh garlic, salt, and fresh or freeze-dried parsley. For cheesy garlic bread, add cheddar and parmesan cheese to your butter mixture. You can also use shredded mozzarella.
Yes, you can use different types of bread for good garlic bread recipes. French or Italian bread is commonly used, but you can also use baguettes, ciabattas, or even sliced bread.
Yes, you can prepare garlic bread ahead of time. After spreading the garlic butter mixture on the bread, you can wrap it in aluminum foil and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake it in the preheated oven as instructed.
Yes, you can freeze garlic bread. Prepare the garlic bread as usual, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the bread in the refrigerator overnight and then bake it in the oven until crispy.
Garlic bread pairs well with a variety of dishes. It’s commonly served as a side with pasta dishes, soups, stews, and salads or as an appetizer with marinara or cheese dips.
“Jazz up store-bought French bread with simple homemade garlic butter.”
Indeed homemade garlic butter. I guess I didnt make the garlic, butter, or any of the other ingredients from scratch either. Still delicious 👍.
My mother followed a similar recipe from Sunset Magazine from the ‘60’s. It had everything in this recipe except the Parmesan but with the addition of chopped cooked bacon. It was called Patio Bread.
I love garlic bread. This looks yummy. I love to use Gorgonzola on my garlic bread for my more adventurous friends and family, but yours is the on I use when there are lots of kids eating with us.
Made this to go with a big smoked chicken Cobb salad. Went a little heavier on the cheddar. Turned out great!
So easy and delicious! Lots of fun to make with my 2 year old
This takes no time and is SO much better than frozen. My family love, love, loves this with Lauren’s lasagna or baked ziti.
Sooo very good! Will make again and again!
Please do not call this homemade garlic bread unless u actually make the bread.
Seriously? Bread Nazi! No bread for you!
Too funny!
Shut up 😂