Easy Garlic Bread
- PREP 10min
- COOK 20min
- TOTAL 30min
The trick for the best soft, buttery garlic bread is to wrap your bread in foil or parchment paper. This way, the bread stays soft in the middle and becomes crispy around the edges. This garlic bread recipe creates a soft, warm, buttery center. It’s divine.
You Will Need
1 bread loaf, French or Italian bread, 1 pound loaf
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (113 g)
4 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped (15 g)
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese, optional (4 ounces 113 g)
¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese, optional (0.5 ounces or 14 g)
Directions
1Prep: Set the oven rack to the center position. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Set a large baking sheet aside.
2Make garlic butter: Stir the softened butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.
3Prepare the bread: Slice the loaf in half lengthwise. Place the bread halves, cut-side up, and divide the garlic butter mixture between them. Spread the butter into an even layer, making sure it reaches the edges. Put the bread halves back together, then wrap the reassembled loaf in foil.
4Bake: Place the wrapped loaf onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip the bread on the baking sheet and bake another 5 to 10 minutes or until the butter has melted into the middle of the loaf. Unwrap the foil, then position the bread halves so the cut sides are facing up. Scatter the cheese over the bread, then bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts and the edges of the bread crisp slightly, about 5 minutes. (If you skip the cheese, leave it off and bake until the edges are crispy.)
5Serve: Slice and serve warm. You can also wrap the garlic bread in foil and keep it warm in a warm oven (170°F to 200°F).
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Salted butter: Reduce the salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon.
- Make-ahead: You can spread the bread with garlic butter for up to 8 hours before baking. Wrap and refrigerate until 30 minutes before baking. You can also freeze it! Wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours at room temperature. Then, bake as directed.
- Make-ahead garlic butter: You can prepare the garlic butter spread in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Soften before using.
- Vegetarian tips: Look for vegetarian-friendly parmesan or substitute with a vegetarian-friendly alternative.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.