Forget about those frozen, store-bought garlic breads — let’s whip up something truly special with this easy homemade garlic bread recipe! We’re talking thick, crusty bread slathered with garlicky butter and baked to crispy, golden perfection.
Trust us, once you’ve tried this homemade garlic bread, you’ll never go back to the frozen stuff again. It’s the perfect side dish for pasta dinners, soups, or just as a savory snack on its own.
Table of Contents
- The Best Garlic Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Taste
- What is the Difference Between Garlic Bread and Garlic Toast?
- Simple Ingredients You Need
- Skip Frozen Varieties, and Make This Homemade Garlic Bread Instead
- What Else Can I Add?
- How to Store and Reheat
- Can I Freeze This Easy Garlic Bread Recipe?
- Serving Suggestions
- More Delicious Bread Recipes
- Easy Garlic Bread Recipe Recipe
The Best Garlic Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Taste
Garlic bread might be the best side dish of all time! It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up sauces.
Store-bought options are convenient, but it’s so much better when you make homemade garlic bread instead! When you use a pre-made bread loaf, it’s super quick and easy, too.
All you have to do is create an herbed butter, spread it on top, and bake. Within minutes you’ll have the best garlic bread recipe ever. It’s a natural pairing for pasta, but it’s also a crave-worthy complement to salads, soups, and more!
What is the Difference Between Garlic Bread and Garlic Toast?
The primary differences are in how the two are cut and cooked.
For instance, garlic bread can be sliced accordion style or into two long pieces. Then, it’s brushed with garlic butter and baked in the oven.
Meanwhile, garlic toast is sliced into thick pieces, topped with garlic butter, and toasted under the broiler.
Simple Ingredients You Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information!
- Bread – Use a French baguette or an Italian bread loaf. Thick, crusty bread is key to creating the best homemade garlic bread!
- Butter – Unsalted butter is best. Allow it to come to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Garlic – Use whole, fresh cloves, and mince them yourself. Trust us. You can taste the difference!
- Parsley – Technically optional, fresh parsley adds a refreshing, peppery taste that balances out the heaviness of the fats. Store leftover parsley to use as a flavor enhancer in all your favorite recipes.
Skip Frozen Varieties, and Make This Homemade Garlic Bread Instead
- Create the herbed butter. Add the softened butter, garlic, and parsley to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Then, mix everything until the ingredients are well blended.
- Slice the bread. Use a sharp knife to slice the bread in half horizontally, creating two long halves.
- Spread. Coat both halves of bread evenly with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle extra parsley on top, if desired.
- Bake. Arrange the buttered bread halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a preheated oven. Bake until the bread is lightly toasted and the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn!
- Cool. Allow the bread to cool slightly, slice it into individual pieces, and enjoy!
What Else Can I Add?
Feel free to let your creativity run wild and customize this garlic bread recipe to your heart’s content! Here are some fantastic additions you can experiment with:
- Cheese – Sprinkle fresh parmesan or mozzarella cheese over the butter before baking.
- Herbs – Replace the parsley or add to it with herbs like basil or oregano.
- Seasonings – Enhance the flavor with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or onion powder.
How to Store and Reheat
This recipe is best served right away while the bread is still warm. However, leftovers can be stored in a sealable bag or airtight container at room temperature for one to two days.
Enjoy leftovers at room temperature. Or, warm them in the oven just until heated through.
Can I Freeze This Easy Garlic Bread Recipe?
Yes! Freeze unbaked garlic bread to have on hand for quick meals.
To do so, spread the butter over the bread halves. Then, arrange the bread in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or sealable bag.
Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to serve, bake as normal, adding a few extra minutes as needed.
Serving Suggestions
There’s no denying that this easy garlic bread recipe is a versatile crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with a wide range of dishes! Here are some of our favorite options to enjoy alongside:
- Spaghetti Arrabiata Bake
- Easy One Pot Lemon Pasta
- Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Tomato and Burrata Salad with Za’atar
- Caprese Pasta Salad
More Delicious Bread Recipes
- Garlic Caprese Bread
- No Knead Focaccia Bread Art
- No Knead Cheesy Focaccia Bread
- Homemade Garlic Bread with Spinach and Artichokes
Easy Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 French baguette or Italian bread loaf
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Mix everything together until you have a well-blended garlic butter spread.1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened, 4 cloves garlic, 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Slice the baguette or bread loaf in half horizontally, creating two long halves.1 French baguette or Italian bread loaf
- Spread the garlic butter generously on the cut sides of both bread halves. Make sure to evenly coat the bread with the flavorful butter mixture.
- Place the buttered bread halves on a baking sheet, cut side up.
- Optional: For added flavor, sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley on top of the buttered bread.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the bread is toasted and the garlic butter is melted and aromatic. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Once the garlic bread is nicely toasted and golden brown, remove it from the oven.
- Allow it to cool for a minute or two. Then, slice it into individual portions.
- Serve the homemade garlic bread warm as a delicious side dish for pasta, salads, or any meal of choice.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
