Can I make garlic bread with regular bread?

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.

How can I avoid greasy garlic bread?

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.

Perfect Homemade Garlic Bread (Easy, Buttery & Crispy)

Name: Our Favorite Garlic Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 oz. loaf soft Italian bread; 1/2 cup softened butter; 4 cloves garlic*; 1 tsp. garlic salt; 1/4 cup chopped parsley

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

Units Scale

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.