Name: Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 loaf Italian or French bread (approx. 16 ounces), sliced in half lengthwise; 1 head garlic; 1-2 teaspoons olive oil; ½ cup very soft unsalted butter (1 stick); 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated; ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese; ¼ cup finely chopped leafy fresh herbs (e.g. basil, parsley, oregano); 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; kosher salt, to season; ground black pepper, to season

If you adore garlicky, buttery bread as much as I do, you’re going to flip for this Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe. It’s the one I turn to when I want something cozy and flavorful without any fuss—soft, golden bread loaded with roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese. I promise, by the time you’re done baking this, your kitchen will smell like heaven, and every bite will be a little slice of comfort. Stick around, because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail it perfectly!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Triple Garlicky Goodness: Roasted, fresh, and powdered garlic work together for bold, layered flavor.
Simple to Make: No fancy equipment needed, just ingredients you probably have on hand.
Perfect Pairings: Goes beautifully with pasta, soups, or just on its own.
Versatile and Customizable: Easily tweak the herbs or cheese to suit your taste.

The image shows several pieces of garlic bread arranged closely on a white parchment paper over a dark wooden board. Each piece is thick with a crusty golden brown edge and a soft inside. The top layer is a textured mix of melted butter, finely chopped green herbs, and small bits of garlic spread evenly, giving a slightly browned and crispy look with some dark green specks. The bread slices are rectangular, except for one piece that is cut in a half-circle shape. A large knife with a wooden handle is placed diagonally near the top left corner of the board. The background is a white marbled surface with some scattered black pepper and crumbs around the bread. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread, garlic bread recipe, herb bread, cheesy garlic bread, homemade bread with herbs

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe plays a role in creating a deliciously rich and fragrant loaf. Choosing fresh herbs and quality parmesan really lifts the flavor, so don’t skimp there if you can help it.

Flat lay of a halved loaf of Italian bread with a crispy golden crust, a whole head of garlic with the top sliced off to reveal cloves, eight uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth soft unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely grated parmesan cheese, a small white ceramic bowl containing finely chopped mixed fresh herbs including basil and parsley, a small white ceramic bowl holding coarse kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl with ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl with pale golden olive oil, and a small white ceramic bowl with light beige garlic powder—all arranged symmetrically in perfect proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread, garlic bread recipe, herb bread, cheesy garlic bread, homemade bread with herbs

Italian or French bread: I love using a sturdy loaf that holds up well to the butter without getting soggy.
Garlic head: For roasting—this brings out that sweet, mellow garlic flavor everyone loves.
Olive oil: Just a bit for roasting the garlic, helps caramelize the cloves nicely.
Unsalted butter: Softened, so it’s easy to mix in the garlic and herbs perfectly.
Fresh garlic cloves: Minced or grated for that punch of raw garlic flavor.
Parmesan cheese: Finely grated for a salty, nutty touch in the herb butter.
Fresh leafy herbs: Basil, parsley, oregano—whatever you have tastes amazing here.
Garlic powder: Adds another layer of garlicky depth, the final touch.
Dried Italian seasoning: For extra herbaceous warmth.
Kosher salt and black pepper: To season everything just right.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to switch things up depending on what herbs are fresh at my farmers market or what I’m serving the bread with. Feel free to make this recipe your own—it’s super forgiving!

Cheesy Upgrade: Sometimes, I stir in shredded mozzarella or asiago for even cheesier bread that my family absolutely loves.
Herb swap: Try rosemary or thyme if basil and oregano aren’t your thing; they add a lovely woodsy note.
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter for garlic bread with some heat.
Vegan twist: Use a plant-based butter and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan to keep the flavor and make it dairy-free.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Garlic to Sweet, Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F with a rack centered. Take the head of garlic, peel off the outer layers just enough to expose the cloves, and slice the top off to reveal them fully. Drizzle a little olive oil over the head, wrap it up in foil, and roast on a small baking sheet for about 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll know it’s ready when the cloves are soft and smell incredible—like mellow garlic candy. Let it cool a bit before handling.

Step 2: Mix Your Garlic Herb Butter

In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with finely chopped raw garlic, grated parmesan, freshly chopped herbs, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Season this mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. When your roasted garlic is cool, gently squeeze the soft cloves from their skins straight into the butter mixture. Using a fork, mash everything together until smooth and wonderfully fragrant.

Step 3: Butter Your Bread and Bake

Cut your Italian or French bread loaf in half lengthwise and spread a generous amount of the garlic herb butter evenly on the cut sides. Place the bread halves cut-side up on a large baking sheet and bake in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. If you want that irresistible golden crust, pop the bread under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

Step 4: Slice and Serve Right Away

Use a serrated knife to cut the warm garlic bread into individual slices, and serve immediately. It’s best enjoyed fresh and steaming, alongside your favorite pasta, hearty soups, or crisp salads—though honestly, I’ve been known to snack on it all by itself!

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe

Roast Garlic Patience: Don’t rush roasting your garlic; slow roasting unlocks sweetness and mellows sharpness.
Soften Butter Properly: Make sure your butter is super soft for easy blending but not melted—room temp works best.
Broil with Care: Keep a close eye under the broiler because garlic bread can go from golden to burnt in seconds.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs really brighten the flavor and make the parmesan really pop—dried can work but adjust quantities.

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe

The image shows several pieces of garlic bread arranged on white parchment paper placed on a wooden board. The bread has a golden crust with a topping layer that looks creamy and speckled with chopped green herbs and small bits of garlic. The texture of the topping appears slightly rough but moist with a toasted finish. Nearby, a white plate contains a leafy green salad with crispy lettuce leaves and grated cheese on top, with a silver fork resting on the plate. Another white plate with four silver forks is visible at the bottom, along with a glass of reddish juice on the side. The surface underneath everything is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread, garlic bread recipe, herb bread, cheesy garlic bread, homemade bread with herbs

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a bit of freshly chopped parsley or basil on top just before serving. It adds that pretty fresh green pop and a burst of extra flavor. Sometimes a light drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes kicks it up just right, too.

Side Dishes

This Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread pairs like a dream with classic tomato-based pasta dishes, creamy tomato soup, or a crisp Caesar or garden salad. It’s also wonderful alongside grilled veggies or a hearty stew for a cozy meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I love serving this bread in a rustic wooden board with little ramekins of dipping oil and balsamic vinegar. Sometimes, I’ll make mini pull-apart versions using small bread rolls, perfect for sharing and crowd-pleasing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare, believe me), wrap the bread tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I find this keeps it soft without drying out.

Freezing

I’ve had great results freezing the garlic herb butter separately in small portions—roll it into a log, slice as needed, and spread on fresh bread before baking. You can also freeze the prepared bread wrapped tightly in foil for up to 2 months; just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

To revive leftover bread, I usually bake it in a 350°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes, uncovered. This crisps the crust while warming the inside nicely. Avoid microwaving because it tends to get chewy or soggy.

FAQs

Can I use regular garlic instead of roasting a whole head?

Absolutely! Using raw minced garlic will give a sharper flavor, so roasting garlic mellows and sweetens the taste. For the richest flavor, I recommend roasting the garlic head as per this recipe, but if you’re short on time, using extra fresh garlic is fine.
What bread works best for Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe?

A sturdy loaf like Italian or French bread is ideal because it holds the butter well without becoming soggy. Soft sandwich breads won’t give the same texture or flavor experience.
Can I prep the garlic herb butter ahead of time?

Yes! The garlic herb butter can be made a day or two in advance and refrigerated. It actually lets the flavors meld beautifully overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before spreading on the bread.
Is this Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe gluten-free?

This recipe uses traditional Italian or French bread, which contains gluten. You can try substituting with a gluten-free artisan loaf, but baking times and texture might vary. The garlic butter will still be delicious regardless!

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe turns out every single time—it fills the house with the best aroma and brings everyone running to the kitchen. It’s become my go-to for easy entertaining, weeknight dinners, or just when I need some garlicky comfort food. Honestly, once you try layering those three types of garlic with fresh herbs and parmesan, you’ll see why my family goes crazy for this bread. I can’t wait for you to make it and taste that beautiful garlic butter magic yourself!