Homemade Garlic Bread
Nothing brings people to the table faster than a fresh batch of garlic bread right from the oven! As simple and easy as it is, it can be tricky to get the perfect balance of crispy, buttery texture and rich garlic flavor. My foolproof homemade garlic bread recipe uses the best bread and the ideal butter ratio, ensuring that you’ll love it as much as we do.
I find myself creating dinner menus around this side!
It’s just SO good and nothing brings people to the table faster than homemade garlic bread! 🧄🧈
While buying garlic bread is a shortcut (and you know I love shortcuts), the homemade oven-baked version is just too delicious, and I find myself planning dinner around it. It’s…
🧄 Packed with flavor: Buttery, garlicky, and perfectly seasoned with fresh garlic, garlic salt (that’s my trick!), and fresh parsley.
🍞 Crispy edges: The Italian bread gets golden and toasty in all the right places without getting too crunchy to eat.
🧈 Ultra buttery: But not greasy. It has just the right amount.
👩🍳 Kid and crowd approved: Always a hit at the dinner table, no surprise there!
⏱️ Ready in minutes: This is an easy side to your pastas, salads, soups, and more! Just a few minutes prep and a quick bake.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to bring this favorite to the table: a loaf of fresh Italian bread, softened butter, fresh garlic, garlic salt, and parsley.
- Italian bread: Look for a large, soft loaf of Italian bread. It should not be sliced; it is very soft, and it is the best bread for garlic bread. You don’t want to use a baguette or French loaf as the crusts are too tough when baked, and they are harder to eat in this form.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: If you have an extra 10 minutes, or can plan ahead, mix the garlic butter mixture ahead and let it sit to let the flavors come together before spreading it over the bread.
- Cooking methods: You could also air fry the garlic bread at 350 degrees F for about 4-6 minutes (cooking time will vary based on air fryer).
- Shortcuts: I’ve tried flavored butters, but they don’t have the same fresh flavor so I recommend whipping up your own.
- Additions: You could also add some grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese for a cheesy bread situation.
Our Favorite Garlic Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Our favorite homemade garlic bread is crispy on the outside, soft in the inside and has the perfect balance of garlic butter flavor.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. loaf soft Italian bread
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 4 cloves garlic*
- 1 tsp. garlic salt
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mash together softened butter, minced garlic, garlic salt, and parsley until combined and evenly distributed.
- Slice bread in half lengthwise.
- Spread both sides of the bread with butter mixture and place onto a baking sheet, butter side up.
- Bake bread for 18-22 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into smaller pieces and serve immediately.
Notes
- Storage: Garlic bread is best eaten right away. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat the garlic bread in a 350 degree F oven for best results. Microwaving is not recommended and will result in soggy and mushy bread.
- Ingredient notes: Look for a large, soft loaf of Italian bread. It should not be sliced, and is very soft and is the best bread for garlic bread. You don’t want to use a baguette or French loaf as the crusts are too tough when baked, and they are harder to eat in this form. Garlic strength can vary a lot from head to head, so use your best judgment. I found that four was about right for us, but you may need to adjust to add more or less.
- Prep ahead: The garlic butter mixture can be prepped up to a day in advance and is a great way to cut down on some prep when you’re cooking. Store in the refrigerator, but remember to take it out to come to room temperature a few hours before using to soften! Then you just need to spread and bake.
- Special tools: Use a microplane zester to grate garlic cloves into the butter for a smooth and creamy texture.
- Serve with: Spaghetti and meat sauce, Italian chopped salad, minestrone soup, or lasagna soup.
What to Serve with Homemade Garlic Bread
Nothing goes with garlic bread quite like pasta and a salad!
- Pasta – Our favorite simple spaghetti and meat sauce, chicken parm pasta, or viral sausage and broccoli orecchiette
- Salads – Italian chopped salad, lemon kale salad, chicken Caesar pasta salad, salmon Caesar salad
- Soups – Lasagna soup, chicken wild rice soup, minestrone
FAQs
Of course, while using the soft Italian loaf gives you a very traditional garlic bread, you can really spread the garlic butter mixture over any slice of bread. The texture might be a bit different, but it’s still delicious. And if you really want the cheater version (aka my lunchtime garlic bread), spread butter over bread, sprinkle with garlic salt, and bake until golden.
This really comes down to the ratio of bread to garlic butter mixture. The amounts in this recipe are very balanced and use just the right amount of garlic butter for the bread. It can be tempting to slather on a ton of butter (more is often better after all!), but it can also result in a soggy garlic bread that doesn’t have the buttery crisp texture we’re going for.
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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