Description
This garlic bread recipe is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with rich, buttery garlic flavor. Made with a blend of garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese, this garlic bread pairs perfectly with pasta, soups, or as a tasty appetizer. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s an easy way to elevate any meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread (about 12 inches)
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for cheesy garlic bread)
Instructions
🥖 Prepare the Bread:
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Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
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Cut the Bread:
- Slice the bread loaf in half lengthwise to create two long halves.
🧄 Make the Garlic Butter:
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Mix the Butter:
- In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until smooth and well combined.
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Spread on Bread:
- Generously spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both halves of the bread.
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Optional: Add Cheese:
- For cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the buttered bread.
🔥 Bake the Garlic Bread:
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Bake:
- Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden and the bread is slightly crispy.
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Optional: Broil for Extra Crispiness:
- Turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top.
- Keep a close eye to avoid burning!
🍽️ Serve:
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Slice and Serve:
- Let the bread cool for a minute, then slice into 1-2 inch pieces.
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Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with pasta dishes, soups, or enjoy as an appetizer with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Make It Ahead: Prepare the bread with garlic butter, wrap it in foil, and refrigerate until ready to bake (up to 1 day ahead).
- Freezing Tip: You can also freeze prepared garlic bread before baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
- Variations: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or use garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.