This homemade garlic bread starts with French bread spread with garlic butter, then baked until the edges are crisp and the center stays soft and chewy. It is ready in under 20 minutes and uses just a handful of ingredients.
Homemade garlic bread takes only a few extra minutes and delivers much better flavor and texture than store-bought versions. Once you make garlic bread from scratch, it is hard to go back to the frozen loaf.
Homemade garlic bread pairs perfectly with hearty pasta dishes like lasagna, meatball casserole, baked ziti, or a simple bowl of sugo sauce spooned over fresh pasta. It’s equally at home alongside Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, soups, or a crisp Caesar salad.
Homemade Garlic Bread
Homemade garlic bread is one of those side dishes that’s almost always better from scratch. It takes just a few minutes to prepare, and you can make it soft, crispy, or somewhere in between depending on how you bake it.
You can keep it soft by baking it in foil or finish it under the broiler for a crispier top. Both methods use the same ingredients, so it is easy to adjust the texture based on what you are serving.
Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to make homemade garlic bread.
- Bread: French bread is my first choice because it has a wide surface area, a soft center, and enough crust to hold up during baking.
- Butter: Use real butter for the best flavor. Salted or unsalted both work, but make sure it is softened to room temperature so it spreads easily.
- Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the bread a stronger, cleaner garlic flavor than jarred garlic or garlic powder.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and a light herb flavor. Dried parsley can be used in a pinch.
- Salt: Add a small amount if using unsalted butter. Taste the garlic butter before adding more.
You can also use my garlic butter sauce as the base for this recipe.
Best Bread for Garlic Bread
Almost any crusty loaf works for garlic bread, but each one gives you a slightly different texture. I prefer a loaf with a soft interior and enough surface area to hold plenty of garlic butter, but any of these options will work.
- French Bread: My favorite option. It gives you a crisp exterior with a soft, chewy center.
- Baguette: A good choice if you prefer more crust and smaller slices.
- Ciabatta: Slightly denser with an open texture that holds garlic butter well.
- Sourdough: Adds a mild tang that works especially well with Parmesan and herbs.
- Texas Toast: Best for individual slices or garlic bread sandwiches. It also works well for a prime rib sandwich or Prime Rib Dip.
How To Make Garlic Bread
Once the garlic butter is mixed together, the rest comes together in just a few minutes.
Prep the Bread
Preheat the oven to 400°F with the rack in the center. Slice the loaf lengthwise and place both halves cut-side up on a large baking sheet.
Make the Garlic Butter
Mix the softened butter, fresh garlic, parsley, salt, and Parmesan, if using, in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the bread, taking it all the way to the edges.
Bake
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the bread is heated through and lightly crisp around the edges.
Broil and Serve
For a crispier top, broil the bread for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch it closely because the garlic and butter can brown quickly. Garnish with fresh parsley, slice, and serve immediately.
How To Make Soft or Crispy Garlic Bread
The baking method determines whether your garlic bread comes out soft in the center or crisp around the edges.
- Soft Garlic Bread: Place the buttered bread halves together, wrap tightly in foil, and bake for about 15 minutes.
- Crispy Garlic Bread: Bake the bread uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, then broil for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Soft Center with Crisp Edges: Bake uncovered until heated through, then broil briefly just before serving.
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Garlic Bread Variations
The base recipe is easy to adjust with different cheeses, herbs, and seasonings.
- Cheesy Garlic Bread: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the bread during the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking.
- Garlic Bread With Parmesan: Mix a few tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan into the garlic butter before spreading.
- Herbed Garlic Bread: Add chopped basil, oregano, chives, or dried Italian seasoning.
- Roasted Garlic: Combine mashed roasted garlic with fresh garlic for a deeper, sweeter garlic flavor.
Recipe Tips and Notes
These simple tips make the difference between good garlic bread and the kind everyone reaches for first.
- Use room-temperature butter so it spreads without tearing the bread.
- Skip jarred pre-minced garlic. Fresh garlic has a stronger flavor and browns better in the oven.
- Watch the bread closely under the broiler. It can go from golden to burned quickly.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the bread up to one day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Wrap the bread in foil and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Open the foil for the last few minutes if you want the edges crisp again.
- Freezing: Freeze the assembled, unbaked bread tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, but the flavor will be milder. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for each fresh garlic clove and adjust to taste.
Can I make garlic bread ahead of time?
Yes. Spread the garlic butter over the bread, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.
How much garlic bread should I make per person?
Plan on 2 to 3 slices per adult when serving garlic bread as a side dish. One standard French loaf usually serves about 6 people.
What To Serve With Garlic Bread
Garlic bread pairs well with Italian recipes, pasta recipes, casseroles, soups, and steak dinners.
Serve it with Penne Pomodoro, Truffles with Pasta, Squid Ink Pasta, or homemade spaghetti sauce.
It also works well alongside Ravioli Bake, Oven Baked Tri Tip, or a plate of marinated tomatoes.
This recipe was originally posted in February 2015 and has been updated with new photos, additional testing notes, and expanded recipe tips.
Homemade Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 5-6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 8 tbsp butter, softened
- ¼ tsp sea salt + more to taste
OPTIONAL GARNISH:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the bread in half (lengthwise) and place on the baking sheet.
- Add the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley and salt to a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Evenly distribute the butter mixture over the 2 pieces of french bread.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until it's a bit brown on the outside and still soft in the center. Optional: broil for 2-3 minutes for an extra crispy crust.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for 2-3 minutes to cool down. Slice and enjoy!
OPTIONAL:
- For ultra soft garlic bread, wrap the bread in foil after adding the garlic spread and cook for 15 minutes.