Nothing smells better than fresh homemade garlic bread! This easy recipe creates some delicious, buttery and crunchy garlic bread which would make a great accompaniment to any pasta, soup, pizza, casserole or family meal.
This recipe uses a simple garlic butter made from butter, fresh garlic, parsley and seasonings.
This recipe is easy to make. Whether you’re cooking for a week night meal or family meal it can also be adapted to include cheese, herbs or more garlic.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Full of rich garlic flavours.
Easy to make using simple ingredients.
Takes only around 20 minutes to cook.
Easy to adapt.
A great accompaniment to pasta and casseroles.
Can be made in advance.
Can be frozen.
Ingredients
Garlic Bread
1 large French baguette or Italian loaf (approx 12oz – 14oz/ 340g – 400g)
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
4-5 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese (grated), optional.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
If you would like to create a cheesy version:
1 cup (100g) mozzarella cheese (shredded)
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese (grated)
You can adjust the amount of cheese.
Equipment
Baking tray
Parchment paper or aluminium foil
Small bowl
knife
Cutting board
Spoon or butter knife
Pastry brush (optional)
How to make
Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Line the baking tray with parchment paper/aluminium foil.
By preheating the oven the butter will melt evenly and create a crispy golden crust.
Make the garlic butter
Put the softened butter into a small bowl.
Add in:
Chopped garlic
Chopped parsley
Italian seasoning
Salt
Black pepper
Parmesan cheese (if using)
Mix all the ingredients together.
Cut the bread
Place the baguette onto a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife cut into slices, around 1 inch thick.
If you are looking to leave them connected then do not cut all the way through. This will allow you to easily spread the butter mixture.
Alternatively you can cut all the way through the loaf.
Spread the butter
Generously spread the garlic butter onto the cut sides.
Make sure to get right to the edges. This means every bite will be full of garlic flavour.
If you want extra rich butter then you can add a little bit more to the centre.
Wrap the bread
Place the prepared bread onto the baking tray.
If you want the garlic bread to be softer then loosely wrap the bread in aluminium foil.
If you want the bread to be crispier then leave it unwrapped.
Alternatively you can wrap up the bread and unwrap it in the last few minutes of cooking. This will leave you with a soft centre and crispy golden top.
Cook
Place into the preheated oven and cook for around 10-12 minutes.
If you have wrapped the bread in foil then open it in the last 2-3 minutes.
Cook until the edges are golden and the butter has melted.
Make extra crispy
Turn the oven onto the broiler/grill and cook for 1-2 minutes. This will give it a nice golden colour.
Keep an eye on the bread as it can go brown quickly.
Once the top is golden and slightly crisp remove from oven.
Add cheese
If you are creating a cheesy version, sprinkle over the cheese onto the buttered bread.
Cook without wrapping for the last few minutes until the cheese has melted.
If you would like the cheese to be lightly browned then cook on the broiler for around 1 minute. Keep an eye on it!
Serve
Leave to cool for around 2-3 minutes before cutting and serving.
Sprinkle with a little fresh chopped parsley.
Serve warm.
Top Tips
Use softened butter
Softened butter will spread much easier. This prevents some sections being too buttery and others dry.
Do not melt the butter completely. Using softened butter will help it stick to the bread.
Use fresh garlic
Freshly chopped garlic will give the best flavour.
If you don’t have any fresh garlic you can use garlic powder but it won’t taste the same.
Don’t overcook
Garlic bread can become very dry and hard if cooked for too long.
Just cook until the edges are crispy and golden.
Use the right bread
French baguettes give a nice crisp crust and chewy centre. Italian bread tends to be softer.
If you want extra soft garlic bread use a loaf that is relatively soft inside.
Don’t overdo the garlic
During cooking the garlic will intensify. If you’re unsure how much to use then use 3 cloves and add more to taste.
Variations
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan over the garlic butter.
This creates a gooey cheese topping which is lovely with pasta and baked casseroles.
Garlic Bread with Chili
Add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes into the garlic butter. This will give a light spicy flavour.
Add a little more if you like it spicy.
Garlic Herb Bread
Add a mix of fresh herbs such as:
Parsley
Basil
Oregano
Chives.
Fresh herbs will give a lighter flavour. Dried herbs are also convenient and will give a more intense flavour.
Extra Garlic Bread
If you’re a garlic lover then add some roasted garlic. This will give a sweet milder garlic flavour and create a rich garlic butter.
What to serve with
This homemade garlic bread would be lovely with any meal.
You could serve with:
Spaghetti
Fettuccine Alfredo
Lasagna
Chicken casserole
Tomato Soup
Creamy Mushroom Soup
Chicken Pasta
Baked Ziti
Pizza
Grilled Chicken
Fresh Garden Salad.
The buttery bread is great for absorbing creamy pasta sauces and tomato based sauces.
Storing
It is best to serve this fresh but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped up in foil.
Store in the fridge and eat within 2-3 days.
Reheat by placing into a preheated oven around 180°C (350°F) for several minutes.
Don’t cook for too long in the microwave as it will become chewy.
Can you freeze?
Yes you can freeze this.
Prepare the garlic bread with the garlic butter but don’t cook.
Wrap up tightly in aluminium foil and place into a freezer-safe bag/container.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to use you can cook from frozen. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Make sure it is fully heated through.
How to prepare in advance
This garlic bread is easy to make in advance.
Prepare the garlic butter and spread over the bread a few hours before serving.
Cover and place into the fridge.
Leave to come to room temperature whilst the oven is heating up. Cook as per instructions.
To store for longer freeze.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter?
Yes you can. Just reduce or omit the extra salt.
Can I make it without parsley?
Of course! Whilst the parsley gives a fresh flavour and colour it will still taste delicious.
You could use another herb instead.
Why is my garlic bread hard?
One of the most common reasons for garlic bread going hard is overcooking. Cooking at a high temperature or for too long can cause it to lose too much moisture.
How can I make it softer?
Wrap the bread loosely in foil whilst cooking, this will help trap some moisture and keep the centre soft.
How can I make it extra crispy?
Cook without wrapping and cook on the broiler/grill for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly.
Can I use garlic powder?
Yes! You can use garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh garlic. Use around 1 tsp and add to taste.
Summary
This easy recipe will create some delicious buttery, fresh garlic bread with lots of tasty herbs, crispy edges and a soft centre.
It is quick to make so would work well for a week night meal but is also delicious for gatherings and special occasions. You can keep it simple with just garlic and parsley or add cheese to create some extra indulgent cheesy garlic bread.
Serve whilst warm with your favourite pasta, soup or casserole.
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