Valentina Ablaev
A classic garlic bread recipe that makes the perfect buttered, garlicky bread that is ready in just 15 minutes. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you likely have on hand, and you will have yourself slices of mouthwatering garlic bread, perfect for your next family dinner.
When it comes to family dinner, nothing hits the spot quite like freshly baked garlic bread! The process couldn’t be easier! Just like our homemade cheesy garlic bread, all you need is a loaf of French bread and a simple garlic butter spread. Everything bakes together in the oven and tastes like garlic bread made from scratch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy baking. Thanks to the store-bought French loaf, the process for making this garlic bread at home couldn’t be simpler!
- On-hand ingredients. This recipe uses ingredients you likely already have, making it the perfect last-minute addition to dinner.
- Ready in just 15 minutes. Start to finish, this bread will be ready in 15 minutes, making it the perfect addition to dinner.
Ingredients for Homemade Garlic Bread
All you need are a few simple ingredients:
- French bread – A loaf of toasty French bread makes this process so much easier! No need to bake bread from scratch, unless you want to, of course! Our classic white bread would make the perfect loaf for this garlic bread.
- Butter – Room temperature butter makes the bread irresistible!
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is a must for that incredible garlic bread flavor.
- Fresh herbs – A sprinkle of fresh parsley gives the garlic bread that iconic look.
- Salt – If using unsalted butter, a sprinkle of salt is a must.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
What Bread Is Best for Garlic Bread?
French bread is our favorite choice for this garlic bread recipe because it has a soft interior that soaks up the garlic butter while still getting crispy around the edges.
Here are some other great options:
- Italian bread: Soft and fluffy with plenty of surface area for garlic butter.
- Baguette: Gives you a crispier, crunchier garlic bread.
- Sourdough: Adds a slightly tangy flavor that pairs well with the garlic butter.
Valentina’s Tips:
- Prep in advance: Make the process easier by making the bread ahead of time, but don’t bake until ready to serve.
- Use softened butter. Softened butter spreads much more easily over the bread and helps you get an even layer of garlic butter.
- Use fresh garlic. Freshly minced garlic gives the bread much more flavor than garlic powder; you won’t regret the extra effort.
- Cover the entire loaf. Spread the garlic butter all the way to the edges so every bite has plenty of flavor.
- Don’t overbake. Watch the bread during the last few minutes. You want golden, toasted edges without drying out the middle.
- Serve immediately: Garlic bread is best served fresh out of the oven. It’s warm, soft, and who can resist the smell?
How to Make Garlic Bread
- Make butter mixture. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, garlic, and parsley until well combined.
2. Spread. Spread the garlic butter evenly over the cut sides of the bread, making sure to cover it from edge to edge.
3. Bake. Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the bread is nicely toasted. Slice, serve warm, and enjoy, friends!
Can You Use Garlic Powder Instead of Fresh Garlic?
Yes, you can use garlic powder if that’s what you have on hand. However, we recommend fresh minced garlic for the best flavor. Fresh garlic gives the butter a stronger, more noticeable garlic flavor, something that is hard to replicate with garlic powder.
Serving Suggestions
- Pasta: Garlic bread tastes incredible with a pasta entree. Serve with a flavorful creamy pesto pasta or a simple spaghetti.
- Soup: Nothing beats homemade soup with fresh garlic bread. Serve with a bowl of creamy mushroom soup or the classic crockpot chicken noodle.
- Salad: Keep it healthy with a salad-and-bread combo. A creamy Caesar salad or a light butternut squash salad will always hit the spot.
Store & Reheat
- Storage. Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil, then keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy. You can also reheat individual slices in an air fryer for a few minutes.
- Freeze. Wrap the garlic bread tightly in foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warm and crisp.
More Bread Recipes
If you enjoyed this bread recipe, be sure to try our other easy bread baking recipes; here are some of our favorites:
- ciabatta roll recipe – you’ll never need store-bought ciabbata bread rolls.
- easy white bread recipe – the perfect beginner bread recipe.
- uzbek bread recipe – a family recipe that is truly out of this world.
- homemade focaccia recipe – so crispy and delicious.
- fluffy sandwich bread recipe – perfect for homemade sandwiches.
If you tried this easy garlic bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!
Classic Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter softened (½ cup)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- ⅛ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut the bread loaf in half lengthwise.
- In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic, and parsley.
- Spread the butter mixture over the cut side of the bread.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and toasted.
- Serve and enjoy, friends.
Notes
- Prep in advance. Make things easier by preparing the garlic bread ahead of time. Spread the garlic butter over the bread, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake and serve.
- Use softened butter. Softened butter spreads easily over the bread and helps create an even layer of garlic butter in every bite.
- Use fresh garlic. Freshly minced garlic gives the bread so much more flavor than garlic powder. It takes an extra minute, but it’s absolutely worth it!
- Cover the entire loaf. Spread the garlic butter all the way to the edges so every bite is buttery and flavorful.
- Don’t overbake. Watch the bread during the last few minutes of baking. You want the edges golden and toasted while the center stays soft and buttery.
- Serve immediately. Garlic bread is best served fresh from the oven while it’s warm, soft, and buttery. Plus, who can resist that amazing garlic smell?
- Storage. Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat. Reheat the garlic bread in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy around the edges. You can also reheat individual slices in the air fryer for a few minutes.
- Freeze. Wrap the garlic bread tightly in foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven until warm and crispy.
