Easy & Irresistible Homemade Garlic Bread

This easy homemade garlic bread takes just minutes to prepare and bakes until perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. With just the right amount of garlic and a pop of fresh parsley – your family will beg you to make this again and again! The comforting aroma of garlic and butter as it toasts in the oven is one of those simple pleasures that can transform an ordinary meal into a memorable occasion. It’s a side dish that serves as a centerpiece, a humble loaf of bread elevated by a few simple ingredients into a warm, fragrant, and utterly irresistible treat.

You'll Love This

It’s quick and easy! I know what you’re thinking – I can just buy garlic bread from the store, why would I want to make my own?! Have you checked out the ingredient list on that box of Texas Toast? All of those extra preservatives just aren’t necessary and when you’re making your own bread at home, you won’t get them! Making your own garlic bread from scratch gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a fresher, more delicious result without any of the additives found in pre-packaged versions.

You can adjust the garlic and parsley amounts to suit your tastes! The best part about this recipe is that you can adjust it to suit your family’s garlic level. We are a level 10 garlic family – the more the better in our opinion. Adjust the parsley and garlic as you wish when making this recipe. And remember that the garlic flavor will mellow a bit as the garlic bread bakes in the oven. The versatility of this recipe is its greatest strength, allowing you to fine-tune the flavor to your personal preference.

You can make this garlic bread ahead of time and keep it in the freezer for a last-minute dinner accompaniment! Just prepare the bread according to recipe directions, but instead of baking it right away, wrap in tin foil and pop it in the freezer. You can bake it (in the foil) from frozen at 300 degrees for 30 minutes or until crispy on the outside. Or you can thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake according to the instructions in the recipe card below. For another easy make-ahead meal that simplifies dinner time, try our Easy and Delicious Weeknight Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef.

The Full Recipe: A Simple Path to Perfection

This recipe is simple, straightforward, and yields a result that will impress everyone at your dinner table.

Easy Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of Italian or French bread, sliced in half lengthwise

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 4-6 cloves fresh garlic, minced

• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the spread: In a food processor, add the softened butter, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and a large pinch of salt.

2. Blend: Pulse the mixture until everything is well-minced and smooth, scraping the sides as needed. This ensures the garlic and parsley are evenly distributed.

3. Slice and Spread: Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Place it cut-side up on a baking sheet. Using a spoon or spatula, spread the garlic butter in an even layer across the cut side of each piece of bread.

4. Bake: Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges of the bread are dark golden brown and crispy.

5. Serve: Cut the bread into 2-inch pieces and serve immediately. This garlic bread is a perfect side dish for a variety of meals, including our Easy Lebanese Kafta Recipe.

Tips for Perfect Garlic Bread

Even the simplest recipes have little tricks that can make a big difference.

• Butter Temperature: If you’re like me and don’t often have room temperature butter on hand, fear not! I’ve also made this recipe by whizzing the garlic and parsley in the food processor and then mixing it with melted butter. Just add the cold stick of butter to a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir frequently until the butter is melted. Then mix it with the parsley, garlic, and salt and drizzle it over the bread in an even layer. It helps to do this with a spoon so that you can distribute it evenly. Then bake according to recipe directions.

• Fresh is Best: Use fresh garlic and parsley if possible. It’s easy to toss them in the food processor and give them a good mince – and it will give the bread more flavor! With that said, if you only have a jar of minced garlic or dried parsley flakes on hand, by all means, go ahead and use them! Just be aware that you’ll likely need MORE garlic than is called for in this recipe if you’re using jarred. And you may need LESS dried parsley then the amount of fresh that is called for in this recipe.

• Garlic Cheese Bread: Feel free to add cheese and make garlic cheese bread with this recipe! I’d recommend letting the bread bake with the garlic butter spread on it for about 5 minutes before you add cheese. Then add a layer of shredded mozzarella and bake for another 10ish minutes or until the cheese is melty and dark golden brown.

The History of a Comfort Classic

The history of garlic bread is a surprisingly modern tale. While bread and garlic have been staples of human diets for millennia, the specific combination of buttered toast with garlic is a North American invention, believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. It was a resourceful adaptation of the Italian bruschetta, which traditionally uses toasted bread rubbed with a fresh garlic clove and drizzled with olive oil. Americans, with their love for butter, substituted it for the olive oil, creating a richer, more decadent version.

Garlic bread's popularity soared in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the rise of Italian-American cuisine. It became a ubiquitous side dish in Italian restaurants and a staple of family dinners across the country. Its comforting aroma and simple preparation made it an easy choice, perfect for sopping up the delicious sauces from a pasta dish or a hearty meatloaf. It's a testament to how simple ingredients can create a lasting culinary tradition, much like the timeless dishes of our Easy Taco-Stuffed Avocado Boats.

The Science of Perfect Garlic Bread

Making garlic bread seems simple, but there's a bit of science at play to achieve that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture.

• The Role of Butter: Butter is the key to both flavor and texture. The fat in the butter is essential for a golden-brown crust. As the bread bakes, the fat conducts heat, helping the surface of the bread to crisp up. The milk solids in the butter undergo the Maillard reaction, a chemical process responsible for browning and the development of complex, savory flavors. For another dish that perfectly uses butter to create a rich flavor, see our Easy and Decadent Weeknight Mississippi Mud Potatoes.

• The Power of Garlic: Garlic contains allicin, a compound that gives it its pungent aroma and flavor. When you mince the garlic, you release more allicin, which is why fresh garlic has a stronger flavor than powdered or jarred. The flavor of garlic mellows when it's cooked, becoming sweeter and more complex, which is why we add it to the bread before baking. You can read more about the health benefits of garlic.

  
  

• The Baking Process: A high oven temperature (400°F) is crucial. The high heat quickly crisps the exterior of the bread without drying out the interior. This is a simple but effective technique used in many baking recipes, including those for some of our Healthy Pancakes.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is the ultimate team player. It pairs well with a variety of meals, both classic and creative.

• Classic Italian: It's the perfect side for any pasta dish, from a simple spaghetti with marinara to a rich lasagna. The bread is ideal for soaking up every last bit of delicious sauce.

• Soups and Stews: A hearty bowl of soup, like a minestrone or a lentil stew, is made even better with a side of warm garlic bread. The toasted bread provides a satisfying contrast to the soft texture of the soup.

  
  

• Main Courses: Garlic bread isn't just for Italian food. It pairs wonderfully with many meat and vegetable dishes. A simple grilled chicken, like our Skillet Chicken Divan, or a seared steak, would be a great accompaniment. Our Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken Recipe would also be an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What's the best kind of bread to use? A: A French baguette or an Italian loaf is the best choice. They have a good crust and a soft interior that toasts up perfectly. You can also use ciabatta or even sourdough.

Q2: Can I use pre-minced garlic from a jar? A: Yes, you can, but fresh garlic will give you a much more pungent and flavorful result. If using jarred garlic, you may need to increase the amount to get the same flavor intensity.

Q3: Can I make this with less butter? A: You can, but the butter is key to the flavor and texture. You could try substituting half of the butter with olive oil, but the final texture will be different. For a lower-fat option, you could try our Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach.

Q4: How do I store leftover garlic bread? A: Store any leftovers in an airtight container or a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap it in foil and warm it in the oven.

Q5: My garlic bread came out soggy. What went wrong? A: Soggy garlic bread is usually a result of using too much butter or not toasting it long enough. Make sure to spread the butter in a thin, even layer and ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature.

Q6: Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh? A: Yes, but use a smaller amount as dried herbs are more potent than fresh ones. A good rule of thumb is to use about one-third the amount of dried parsley as fresh.

Q7: How do I prevent the garlic from burning? A: Keeping the baking temperature at 400°F is key. The garlic butter should melt and toast the bread without burning. If you see the garlic starting to get too dark, you can cover the bread with foil. For another great roasted recipe, check out our Hot Honey Salmon Bites.

Q8: Can I grill the garlic bread? A: Yes! Garlic bread is fantastic on the grill. Prepare the bread as instructed and place it on a medium-low grill for a few minutes per side, until toasted. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

Q9: What other dishes would be a great accompaniment? A: Garlic bread is a great side for any main course that involves a sauce. For other fantastic dinner ideas, check out our Easy and Delicious Weeknight Skirt Steak.

Q10: Can I use this recipe for a crowd? A: Yes, this recipe is easily scalable. You can make as many loaves as you need by simply multiplying the ingredients. You can also make the garlic butter in a large batch and freeze it for later.

Conclusion

There’s a reason homemade garlic bread is a timeless classic. It’s a quiet tribute to the power of simple ingredients, and a reminder that the most memorable meals often come from the heart of our own kitchen. This recipe, with its perfect balance of garlic, butter, and crispy bread, is a testament to the joy of a good home-cooked meal. Whether you’re serving it with a hearty bowl of pasta or as a standalone treat, it will fill your home with a comforting aroma and your table with happy faces. It’s a side dish that serves as a centerpiece, and a tradition that you’ll be proud to pass down to your family.