Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe

Try this foolproof method for making the perfect garlic bread recipe every time! You’ll end up with a crunchy crust, a chewy interior, and a burst of flavors from a blend of butter, and garlic.

This classic side dish, ready in under 20 minutes with minimal ingredients, pairs wonderfully with your favorite pasta, like Meatball Casserole. You’ll never go back to grocery store garlic bread again.

Garlic Bread Recipe

Butter – The best garlic bread recipe starts with a rich garlic butter sauce using real butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter. Just make sure the butter is room temperature for easy mixing.

Garlic – You must use fresh garlic cloves as fresh is far superior to garlic powder. I’s important to make sure you have a bulb before making. 

Type of Bread

Garlic bread can be made with a variety of bread types. I love soft bread with large surface area, but use what you have on hand. Here are some of the best options:

• French Bread – My favorite bread option! You’ll end up with a crusty exterior and soft interior.
• Baguette – Another popular option. You’ll have a bit more crispy crust to soft interior ratio. 
• Ciabatta – You’ll end up with a bit denser and chewy bread. 
• Sourdough – Add the unmistakable sourdough flavor to the mix.
• Texas Toast – These thick slices are perfect to use as sandwich bread – perfect for a prime rib sandwich or Prime Rib Dip!

How To Make

Only a few simple steps are needed to make the best homemade garlic bread:

Prep Work – Preheat the oven to 400°F with the oven rack in the middle position. Slice the bread lengthwise and place on a large baking sheet.

Make the Garlic Butter –  Mix together the garlic butter ingredients in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly on the bread.

Bake – Bake for 13-15 minutes. To crisp up the crust, broil for 1-2 minutes.

Finishing Touches – Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and slice away! Serve immediately for best texture.

Soft or Crispy?

There are a few options when it comes to baking, depending on what final texture you’re going for. Good garlic bread starts with fresh ingredients, but ends with your preferred texture. 

• Soft Garlic Bread – Wrap the buttered bread in foil and bake for 15 minutes.
• Crispy Garlic Bread – Heat for 12-15 minutes then broil for 1-2 minutes.

Variations

This easy homemade garlic bread can quickly and easily adapt to your preference. Here are a few ideas:

Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe – Sprinkle mozzarella over the top for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.

Parmesan Garlic Bread – Mix in a few tablespoons of grated fresh Parmesan cheese before spreading.

Herbed Garlic Bread – Add chopped fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano, or even dried Italian seasoning for an herbaceous kick.

Roasted Garlic – Combine roasted garlic with fresh garlic to introduce an additional layer of garlic flavor.

Darcey’s Tips For Success

Here are a few tips to make the best homemade garlic bread recipe:

• Skip the jar of pre-minced garlic. The flavor is muted and you won’t end up with the delicious garlicky flavor you’re looking for.
• Leftovers – Store leftovers in a Ziploc bag on the kitchen counter. To reheat the garlic bread, wrap in aluminum foil and baked it for 10 minutes at 350 F.

What To Serve It With

This easy garlic bread recipe pairs with so many Italian Recipes, and of course, pasta recipes. It’s the perfect side dish to: Penne Pomodoro, Truffles with Pasta, Sugo Sauce, Squid Ink Pasta or basic Spaghetti. Here’s How To Make Spaghetti Sauce to make everything from scratch.

Also consider serving it next to Ravioli Bake, Oven Baked Tri Tip or Caprese Frittata.

This recipe was originally posted in February 2015, but has been updated with new photos, additional text and slight edits to the recipe. The below picture is one of the original photos.