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 (113g) unsalted butter, softened
4 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup (113g) grated mozzarella cheese, optional
1/4 cup (14g) finely grated parmesan cheese, optional
Directions
Set the oven rack to the center position. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Set a large baking sheet aside.
Stir the softened butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.
Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Face the bread halves cut-side up, and then divide the garlic butter mixture between each half.
Spread the butter into an even layer, ensuring you spread all the way to the edges. Put the bread halves back together and wrap them with foil.
Place the wrapped garlic bread onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip the bread 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 that the cut side is facing up. Scatter the cheese over the bread, then bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts and the edges of the bread crisp up a little, about 5 minutes. (If you skip the cheese, leave it off and bake until the edges are crispy.)
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 1/4 teaspoon.
- 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.
- To make garlic bread 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.
- Vegetarian tips: Look for vegetarian-friendly parmesan or substitute with a vegetarian-friendly alternative.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.