Make perfectly toasted homemade garlic bread topped with herbed butter and fresh garlic in about 20 minutes. This simple garlic bread recipe delivers fresh flavor, a crispy top, and a soft, fluffy interior—one of the best quick sides you can make.
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Why you’ll love this recipe:
Once you start making garlic bread from scratch, store-bought frozen loaves will feel unnecessary. This homemade version is fast, easy, and fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma while it bakes.
- Taste: Fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, and quality butter infuse the bread for a savory, irresistible side.
- Texture: A satisfyingly crunchy top contrasts with a soft, tender interior.
- Crowd-pleaser: Garlic bread is classic comfort food that complements many meals.
Serve with your favorite pasta or salad for an easy Italian-inspired dinner.
Key Ingredient Notes:
- Bread – Choose a crusty loaf with a soft interior, like French or Italian bread.
- Unsalted butter – Use a high-quality unsalted butter so you can season the spread to taste.
- Fresh garlic – Freshly grated or finely minced garlic gives the best flavor. Avoid pre-minced jars when possible.
- Fresh parsley – Curly or flat-leaf parsley adds a mild, herbaceous note.
- Fresh chives – Chives bring a subtle oniony flavor that pairs well with garlic.
- Sea salt – A pinch enhances and balances the herbed butter.
How to peel garlic easily
Place a garlic clove on a cutting board and press the flat side of a knife against it until it cracks. The skin will loosen and peel away easily.
How to make the best garlic bread:
This recipe comes together quickly—about five minutes to prepare and under 20 minutes total.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Slice the loaf in half lengthwise and place cut sides up on the prepared sheet.
- Mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, chives, and sea salt in a medium bowl until evenly combined.
- Spread the garlic-herb butter evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
- Bake 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the top is crisp.
- Serve warm alongside pasta, soup, or salad.
Avoid overbaking
Watch carefully and remove the bread when the edges just turn golden. It can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
Tips for Success:
Use these tips to make the most flavorful, textured garlic bread.
- Use softened butter, not melted. Soft butter spreads easily and creates a creamy, even layer.
- Broil briefly for an extra-crispy top—watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
- Make it cheesy by adding shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan before baking.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano for color and brightness.
How to soften butter quickly
- Fill a heatproof cup with boiling water and let it sit a minute.
- Pour out the water, then place the hot cup upside down over the stick of butter. The trapped heat will soften it quickly.
Make-Ahead Tips:
Prepare ready-to-bake loaves and freeze them for convenient, homemade garlic bread anytime.
- Slice the loaf in half and spread the herbed garlic butter over each half, then freeze solid.
- Once frozen, press the halves together and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To bake, separate the halves and add a few extra minutes if baking from frozen until warm and golden.
Storing Tips:
- Cool leftover bread completely, wrap tightly in foil, and refrigerate for 1–2 days.
- To freeze, double-wrap cooled bread in foil and store for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, which can make the bread soggy.
Garlic Bread FAQs:
Fresh garlic is best. If you need a substitute, garlic powder works better than garlic salt because garlic salt can make it hard to control overall saltiness. Adjust seasoning to taste when serving.
Fresh garlic bread takes about 8–10 minutes to bake. Frozen loaves typically need 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness and whether they’re thawed.
Garlic bread pairs well with pizza, pasta, soup, or salad. It also complements Italian mains like chicken parmesan, lasagna, baked ziti, and stuffed shells.
More Garlic Recipes:
- Garlic Chips
- Roasted Garlic + ways to use it
- Roasted Garlic Breadsticks
- Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Classic Garlic Bread
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Ingredients
- 1 pound french loaf or italian loaf
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chives finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
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Slice the bread in half lengthwise and place cut sides up on the baking sheet.
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In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, parsley, chives, and sea salt. Mix until evenly blended and spread the mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
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Bake 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Slice and serve warm alongside your favorite pasta or salad.
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Tips & Notes
Note 2: For cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or shredded mozzarella over the butter before baking.
Storing Tips:
– Wrap cooked and cooled garlic bread in foil and refrigerate for 1–2 days.
– To freeze, double-wrap in foil and store up to 3 months.
– Reheat from thawed or frozen in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warm.
Nutrition
