This is the easiest homemade garlic bread you’ll ever make. Flavor packed with homemade garlic butter and perfectly roasted. This simple garlic bread recipe is delicious when served alongside your favorite dishes and comfort foods, and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Why you should make garlic bread at home
What would spaghetti be without a side of buttery garlic bread? A basket of garlic bread makes any meal feel like a special occasion, especially if it’s buttery, crispy and extra garlicky. It’s super easy to make, better than store-bought versions, and very freezer-friendly, so you can keep some on hand for whenever that garlic bread craving hits.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO or follow along on YouTube.
Everything you need to make the best garlic bread
This homemade garlic bread recipe requires super simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Bread: You can use Italian bread like ciabatta, a loaf of French bread, a baguette, or even brioche bread or bagels!
- Butter: Plenty of softened salted butter, which will melt into the bread. If you only have unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt. Aim for good quality butter, and for a vegan version, use margarine or plant-based butter.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, rather than garlic powder or pre-chopped garlic, are key for that true garlic flavor.
- Herbs and spices: We’re adding a little dried parsley, dried chives, sweet paprika, and black pepper to bring it all together. Feel free to use fresh parsley or chives!
Crusty or soft garlic bread?
There’re two methods for making garlic bread:
- Crispy, toasty garlic bread: Just like in this recipe, slice the bread lengthwise in half, spread with garlic butter, then bake it open-faced in the oven until crispy and golden brown.
- Soft Garlic Bread: Slice the bread like an accordion, cutting slices without going all the way through, then spread the butter mixture between the slices. Wrap the bread in foil and bake. This method keeps the bread soft while infusing each slice with garlicky butter.
Personalize your garlic bread
- If you’re a fan of cheesy garlic bread, go ahead and add some grated Parmesan cheese or shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle it on during the last 2 minutes of baking to ensure it doesn’t get too crispy on top.
- For those who prefer their garlic bread crispier, switch your oven to broil after10 minutes and toast it for about 3 minutes, just be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent it from getting too toasted. If you prefer it softer, take it out closer to 10 minutes.
- And to elevate your garlic butter even further, check out these tips to pimp up your garlic butter!
- And don’t forget to make some Homemade Pizza Bread!
Storing tips
Store any leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 1 day. To reheat, cover it with foil and warm it in your oven for 10 minutes at 350°F/180°C.
Make ahead and freeze for later
Yes, this homemade garlic bread is freezer-friendly! It’s a fantastic way to have a delicious side on hand at any time. Here’s how to freeze it:
- After spreading the bread with the garlic butter mixture, place the bread halves in a single layer in a freezer-friendly bag and store them in the freezer. Freeze the garlic bread for up to 3 months.
- When ready to eat, leave them out for 10 minutes to reach room temperature, then bake as directed.
What to serve with this homemade garlic bread?
- Whipped feta dip
- Sausage pasta with pesto
- Chicken in garlic mushroom sauce with bacon
- Creamy tomato salmon with chorizo
- Creamy bean soup with sausage
Check out all of my meat recipes here, seafood recipes here, or my pasta dishes here!
Homemade Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 2 baguettes - or ciabatta
- 1 stick salted butter - softened
- 6 garlic cloves - pressed or grated, use 4 for a milder taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried chives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃.
- Cut the softened butter into cubes and transfer to a bowl. Add grated garlic, black pepper, sweet paprika, dried parsley and dried chives. Use a fork to mash everything together.
- Slice the baguettes lengthwise in half. Place on a baking sheet layered with parchment paper. Spread butter evenly over the baguettes.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
- Find customization suggestions in the post above.
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