If you're on the hunt for the perfect garlic bread recipe, look no further! This is my go-to– buttery, soft center, and crispy edges. Made with just 7 ingredients like butter, garlic, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese. I recommend prepping ahead to stock your freezer so you always have fresh homemade garlic bread when you need it!
That moment when a fresh basked of garlic bread hits the table is easily the best part of spaghetti and meatballs. I've been making this garlic bread recipe for almost 10 years– it's our family's favorite and made often. There's no need for store-bought when you only need 7 ingredients to make a homemade version and it freezes wonderfully! This easy garlic bread recipe will get you all the compliments without all the work.
Tell Me About This Garlic Bread Recipe
- Flavor: A combination of fresh garlic, garlic powder and parmesan cheese add immense flavor to this garlic bread. Add in some fresh herbs and it takes it to the next level.
- Texture: You want garlic bread to be soft and fluffy on the inside, with a slightly chewy, crisped exterior... and that's exactly it!
- Ease: This is an uncomplicated side dish that doesn't require much work at all– even simple enough for little hands to help (mine often do!) Besides some chopping and spreading, it's low-effort.
Ingredients & Possible Substitutions
- Bread: You want a good quality bread like French bread, baguette or an Italian bread. I recommend using the French bread or Italian bread over the baguette because it's a little bit chewy without becoming too hard when baked. However, I've never met a garlic bread that I didn't like!
- Butter: You will need 1.5 sticks of butter that has been softened to room temperature. It may seem like a lot, but there's a lot of bread. I always use unsalted, but if you're using salted, omit the salt listed in the recipe.
- Garlic, Garlic Powder & Salt: There's no skimping on the garlic here! The recipe calls for 1-2 garlic cloves– if they are standard size (not the tiny pieces), you can use two. However, I recommend starting with one since we're grating the garlic (more potent than minced or sliced) and pairing garlic powder with it. You can always taste once all ingredients are added and add the other if you want more garlic. Add a little salt to balance out the flavors.
- Fresh Herbs: Grab the classics like basil and parsley– fresh is best but you can easily substitute with dried if needed. See the recipe notes for the amount.
- Parmesan Cheese: Here's where this garlic stands out– add finely grated Parmesan cheese. It adds wonderful flavor just like in these chicken meatballs. You can omit the if you need the recipe to be dairy-free.
A Helpful Make-Ahead Tip
There are a few ways to get a jump start on this garlic bread recipe, each giving you time back when you need it. Whether you don't have the bread yet, have bread to use before it goes stale, or just wanting to stock the freezer.
- Make the herb butter and keep in the refrigerator for when you need it, up to 1 week. Let it soften at room temperature or microwave for 8-10 seconds. The day of, spread on the bread and bake as directed.
- Make the bread through step 2 and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The day of, bake as directed.
- Make the bread through step 2 and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can either thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, or bake frozen (see recipe notes for details.)
Overview: How To Make Garlic Bread
This recipe is quick and easy– minimal effort, maximum flavor!
- Make the Herb Butter: Stir together the softened butter, garlic, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, herbs, and salt.
- Spread onto Bread: Spread the herb butter evenly on the bread slices, using all the butter.
- Wrap the Bread: Place the bread back together and wrap with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Bake the bread wrapped for 10 minutes, then unwrap placing the bread inside up, and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes.
Serve Garlic Bread With
- Spaghetti & turkey meatballs
- Your favorite soup– like minestrone soup, vegetable soup, lasagna soup
- 1 pot baked ziti
- Cheesy oven-baked meatballs or baked chicken parmesan meatballs
- Dunk in homemade marinara sauce
- Even delicious with skillet apple cider chicken
FAQ
I prefer to use garlic powder for garlic bread with a pinch of salt for the best flavor.
Combining fresh garlic with garlic powder, along with butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, and fresh herbs always gives the best flavor.
This garlic bread freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Spread the herb butter mixture evenly over each piece of bread. Place the tops on and wrap tightly. You can thaw overnight in the refrigerator overnight or bake from frozen.
Absolutely. This recipe calls for both fresh garlic and garlic powder, however you can substitute the fresh garlic with garlic powder. (I've done it many times!)
Yes, I do this all the time!
Best Garlic Bread
Description
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced in half
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1-2 cloves garlic, grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup fresh herbs, chopped (basil and/or parsley)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Set aside a baking sheet and two sheets of aluminum foil (used later to wrap the bread.) Slice the bread lengthwise and in half (if longer than your baking sheet.) Place the bread on the baking sheet, inside facing up, and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the softened butter, garlic, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, herbs, and salt. Spread the butter mixture evenly over each piece of bread and place the bread back together.
- Wrap each loaf with the aluminum foil and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then carefully unwrap the bread and place inside up on the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 5-8 minutes until golden brown. Add an extra 1-2 minutes for additional browning.
- Remove from the oven and cut into slices. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: You can make the herb butter and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or make the bread through step 2, wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freezing Instructions: This garlic bread freezes wonderfully up to 3 months. Prepare through step 2 and wrap tightly. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed or bake from frozen– wrapped in aluminum foil for 15-18 minutes and unwrapped for 5-8 minutes.
- Bread: You want a good quality bread like French bread, baguette or an Italian bread. I recommend using the French bread or Italian bread over the baguette as the baguette will be crispier.
- Garlic: There's no skimping on the garlic here! The recipe calls for 1-2 garlic cloves– if they are standard size (not the tiny pieces), you can use two. I recommend starting with one since we're grating the garlic, it's much more potent than minced or sliced. You can also use just 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder without fresh garlic.
- Butter: If you're using salted butter, omit the salt listed in the recipe otherwise the herb butter will be too salty.
- Herbs: Using fresh herbs like basil and parsley are recommended, but you can easily substitute with 2 teaspoons dried basil and 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
Magda says
My teenager made sure it was all consumed before the night was over. Great recipe.