If you’re craving a cozy, mouthwatering side that can jazz up any meal, this Garlic Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. I mean, who doesn’t love warm, buttery bread packed with the perfect hit of garlic and herbs? Whether you’re pairing it with pasta, soup, or just craving something to munch on, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for easy, satisfying garlic bread that’s fan-freaking-tastic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can have homemade garlic bread ready in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Flavors: The fresh herbs add a vibrant touch, but you can easily swap or skip them based on your pantry or mood.
- Perfectly Crispy & Buttery: The broiling step gets the top golden and crisp while keeping the inside irresistibly soft.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This garlic bread disappears fast at my gatherings and always earns compliments—it’s that good.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Getting the ingredients right really makes this garlic bread sing. The key is a good-quality French bread and softened butter to hold all those flavors together. Plus, fresh garlic and herbs elevate this beyond plain butter spread—trust me, it’s worth it!
- French bread: Look for a crusty loaf with a soft inside—ideal for soaking up the butter mixture without getting soggy.
- Salted butter: Using salted butter adds the right amount of seasoning; if you only have unsalted, just add a pinch more salt in your mixture.
- Fresh garlic: Minced fresh garlic releases far more aroma and flavor than pre-minced or garlic powder—don’t skip this.
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, oregano): These bring bright, fresh notes; dried works too but use less as dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Black pepper: Just a dash to add subtle warmth and balance the garlic’s punch.
Make It Your Way
I love to mix things up depending on what’s in my fridge, and you should too! This garlic bread recipe is forgiving and easy to personalize to suit your taste buds.
- Cheesy Variation: Adding a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella or Parmesan before broiling is my favorite upgrade for an ooey-gooey finish.
- Herb Swaps: Sometimes I swap out basil and oregano for rosemary or thyme if I want a woodsy twist.
- Spicy Kick: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter-garlic mix for a subtle heat that wakes up your palate.
- Diet-Friendly: For a dairy-free version, I use olive oil instead of butter and it still comes out deliciously satisfying.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Bread Carefully
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your French bread loaf and slice it in half horizontally. I like to use a serrated bread knife here to get a clean cut through the crust without squashing the loaf. This step sets the stage for everything else, so gently handle the bread so it stays fluffy inside.
Step 2: Whip Up the Garlic Herb Butter
In a small bowl, combine softened salted butter with the minced garlic, chopped parsley, basil, oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. I like to use room temperature butter since it blends all those flavors smoothly. Give it a good stir so everything is evenly distributed—you want every slice to pack the same punch.
Step 3: Spread the Love
Brush or spread the garlic-herb butter mixture evenly across the cut sides of both bread halves. Don’t be shy here—more butter means more flavor and that satisfying crispiness after baking.
Step 4: Bake and Broil for Perfect Crisp
Place the bread on a baking sheet and slide it into the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for about 8 minutes to let the flavors melt in and the bread warm through. Then, move your oven rack up closer to the broiler. Broil for 45 seconds to 3 minutes, but keep your eyes peeled because this step happens fast—once you see a bubbly, golden-brown crust, it’s time to pull it out.
Step 5: Slice and Serve Warm
Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for just a minute—otherwise you might burn that eager tongue of yours! Then slice it into pieces and serve immediately. I promise, this bread disappears fast once it’s on the table.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Bread Recipe
- Use Fresh Garlic for Best Flavor: Garlic powder doesn’t capture that vibrant punch; fresh minced garlic makes all the difference.
- Watch the Broiler Closely: Broiling can go from perfect golden to burnt in seconds; stay nearby and keep the oven light on.
- Soften Butter in Advance: Cold butter is hard to spread evenly — leaving it out for an hour or microwaving briefly helps it blend smoothly.
- Don’t Skip the Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs brighten the butter and make the bread taste homemade, never boring.
How to Serve Garlic Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish my garlic bread with a light sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a few flecks of extra chopped parsley right before serving. It adds a pop of flavor and a pretty, fresh look that makes it extra inviting.
Side Dishes
This garlic bread is a superstar with classic spaghetti marinara, creamy tomato soup, or alongside a hearty salad. Honestly, it’s so tasty it can even be eaten solo when you need a comforting snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to cut the bread into fun shapes before baking or serve it in little garlic bread baskets using mini loaf tins. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and adds a homey, thoughtful touch that guests notice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge. I find that garlic bread stays fairly fresh for up to two days, though best enjoyed warm and fresh.
Freezing
Freezing works well too. Just wrap the prepared garlic bread (before baking) tightly with foil and pop it in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, bake it right from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the garlic bread in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that lovely crunch.
FAQs
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Can I make this garlic bread recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute instead of regular butter. The herbs and garlic will still infuse fantastic flavor, and it’ll come out golden and crispy just the same.
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How do I prevent garlic bread from getting soggy?
The key is to bake the bread first at 350°F to warm it, then quickly broil to crisp the top. Also, don’t overload with butter—the right amount spreads evenly without making the bread soggy.
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Can I use other types of bread for this garlic bread recipe?
You can! While French bread is classic, baguettes, Italian bread, or even thick sliced sandwich bread work. Just adjust baking times to avoid drying out thinner slices.
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What if I don’t have fresh herbs?
No worries—dried herbs are a convenient alternative. Use about half the amount called for with fresh herbs since dry herbs are more concentrated, and sprinkle them evenly into the butter for flavor.
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How long does garlic bread keep fresh?
Garlic bread is best eaten fresh but will last about 1-2 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheating in the oven keeps it tasting close to freshly made.
Final Thoughts
This garlic bread recipe is a comforting classic that has always been a hit in my kitchen—and I bet you’ll find the same. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly adaptable, and so satisfying that it really feels like a warm hug on a plate. Next time you want to add an extra oomph to dinner, give this recipe a whirl—you’ll be glad you did, promise!
Print
Garlic Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This classic garlic bread recipe features a crusty French bread loaf slathered with a flavorful mixture of softened butter, fresh garlic, and a blend of herbs, then baked to golden perfection and broiled for a crisp finish. Perfect as a delicious side or appetizer, it’s quick and easy to prepare, bringing fragrant garlic goodness to your table.
Ingredients
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, or 1 tsp dried (optional)
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil, or 1/2 tsp dried (optional)
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano, or 1/2 tsp dried (optional)
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Bread
- 1 (14 oz) loaf French bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to reach the right temperature for baking the bread evenly.
- Prepare the bread: Cut the French bread loaf in half horizontally to create two long slices, which will hold the garlic butter mixture.
- Mix the garlic butter: In a small mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly combined.
- Apply the topping: Using a brush or knife, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both halves of the bread, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Bake the bread: Place the halves cut-side up on a baking sheet and bake in the center of the preheated oven for 8 minutes, allowing the butter to melt into the bread and the flavors to meld.
- Broil for crispness: Move the oven rack closer to the broiler element, then broil the bread for about 45 seconds to 3 minutes, watching carefully until the top is golden brown and crispy. This step is quick, so watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven, slice the garlic bread into individual servings, and serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a stronger garlic flavor, add an extra 1/2 tablespoon of garlic to the butter mixture.
- If fresh herbs are not available, dried herbs can be used as indicated in the recipe.
- Salted butter is recommended for balanced seasoning—if unsalted butter is used, consider adding a pinch of salt.
- Watch closely during broiling as the bread can brown very quickly and may burn if left unattended.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; leftover garlic bread can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispness.
