If you think there’s nothing better than garlic bread from your favorite restaurant, wait until you try this Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe. I absolutely love how easy and satisfying it is to make crispy, buttery, and garlicky bread right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or just craving something to dunk in your pasta sauce, this recipe will quickly become your go-to. Seriously, once you try this, takeout garlic bread will never taste the same!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples, making it super easy and budget-friendly.
- Fresh Garlic Flavor: Using fresh minced garlic makes all the difference—you’ll taste the freshness in every bite.
- Perfectly Crispy Crust: Wrapping the bread in foil and baking locks in moisture while crisping the crust just right.
- Kid and Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this—I always make extra because it’s that popular!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create that perfect balance of buttery, salty, and garlicky goodness. Don’t overthink the bread choice—sometimes a simple French stick can make this taste better than fancy artisan loaves.
- French stick / baguette: I like using a 60cm (2ft) long baguette with a soft-ish crust—it soaks up the garlic butter just right without getting too hard.
- Unsalted butter: Using softened unsalted butter lets you control the salt level precisely and spreads easily on the bread.
- Fresh garlic: Mince it finely so you get bursts of garlicky flavor without overwhelming any bite.
- Salt: A little salt enhances both the garlic and butter flavors perfectly.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a lovely, fresh note and a pop of color, but it’s completely fine to skip it if you don’t have any on hand.
Variations
I like to play around with this Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have in my fridge. Feel free to make it your own—the possibilities are surprisingly endless!
- Cheesy Garlic Bread: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or parmesan over the butter before wrapping it in foil. My family goes nuts for the melty, cheesy version on a chilly night.
- Herb Mix-Up: Swap parsley for fresh basil, oregano, or thyme. Once I added fresh rosemary, and it gave the bread a lovely piney aroma that was unexpected but delightful.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika to the butter mix for a subtler heat experience that keeps things interesting.
- Vegan Option: Use a good-quality vegan butter and omit the salt if the butter is salted already—works perfectly without losing flavor.
How to Make Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Bread and Oven
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F)—this hot temp crisps the bread just right without drying it out. Cut your French stick in half lengthwise. Then, slice it almost all the way through at about 2cm (4/5″) intervals—this makes serving super easy and ensures each slice gets garlic butter goodness.
Step 2: Mix the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine softened unsalted butter, freshly minced garlic, salt, and finely chopped parsley (if using). I always taste the butter mixture here—if you love bold garlic like I do, pack those teaspoons full of minced garlic. Remember, garlic mellows after baking, so don’t be afraid to give it a good punch.
Step 3: Spread and Wrap
Smear that garlicky butter onto the cut sides of the bread, making sure you get into all the slices. Then spread any leftover butter over the top and sides of the bread—you’ll get so much flavor this way! Once coated, wrap each half tightly in foil to trap the steam but still let the crust crisp up.
Step 4: Bake Until Crisp and Golden
Pop the wrapped bread halves into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it—the foil traps heat so the butter melts nicely, and the crust crisps. If you want a more toasted top, you can unwrap for the last 2 minutes under the broiler, but be careful not to burn the garlic!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Butter: I found that softened butter spreads smoothly without tearing the bread, which keeps everything neat and tasty.
- Fresh Garlic is Key: Pre-minced garlic in jars just doesn’t cut it. Freshly minced garlic gives the best punch and aroma.
- Don’t Skip the Foil Wrap: Wrapping in foil keeps the bread moist but still crisps the crust—skip it and you risk burning or drying out the bread.
- Timing Matters: Bake for about 15 minutes—less means the butter hasn’t fully melted, more and the bread can get too hard.
How to Serve Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little extra fresh parsley on top for color and a fresh zing just before serving. Sometimes I toss on some finely grated parmesan or cracked black pepper if I’m feeling fancy. These little touches make it look as good as it tastes!
Side Dishes
This homemade garlic bread pairs beautifully with pasta dishes—spaghetti bolognese, creamy Alfredo, or my favorite: rich tomato basil penne. I also love it alongside hearty soups like tomato bisque or chili. You’ll enjoy dipping those crispy slices into whatever sauce you’re serving.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged the garlic bread slices in a fan shape on a wooden board with lots of fresh herbs around. Another fun idea is cutting slices all the way through to make “garlic bread loaf sliders,” perfect for dipping parties or game days.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to keep leftover garlic bread wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to eat it the same day. It usually lasts just fine for a day or two, but it’s best fresh—my family tends to snack it all up quickly!
Freezing
You can freeze this garlic bread after you bake it. Wrap it well in foil and place it in a freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. When I do this, I make sure to mark the date so it gets eaten within a month for best freshness.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the wrapped garlic bread in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving—it can make the crust chewy and the butter separate. This method preserves that fresh-baked goodness that we all love.
FAQs
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Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of fresh garlic?
While you can, I strongly recommend fresh garlic for the best flavor in this Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe. Pre-minced garlic often has a sour aftertaste due to preservatives, which can change the bread’s flavor profile and reduce that fresh punch.
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What kind of bread is best for homemade garlic bread?
I find a soft-crust French stick or baguette works best because it soaks up the garlic butter while still crisping up nicely in the oven. Artisan breads with very hard crusts don’t absorb the butter as well and might end up too dry.
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Can I make this garlic bread vegan?
Absolutely! Just swap out the unsalted butter for a plant-based vegan butter alternative. Make sure to check the salt content in the vegan butter so you can adjust the salt accordingly in the garlic mixture.
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How do I get the bread crispy without burning the garlic butter?
Wrapping the bread in foil helps steam the bread so it stays moist, while baking at 200°C crisps the crust gently. If you want a crispier top, unwrap it for the last 2 minutes under the broiler but watch closely to prevent burning.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s that simple comfort food that brings everyone together. I used to struggle to find a garlic bread recipe that felt freshly made and full of vibrant flavor until I perfected this one. Trust me, your family and friends will thank you for it. Next time you want to impress without fuss, give this recipe a try—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Better-Than-Dominos Garlic Bread recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to make homemade garlic bread that beats takeout versions. Using a French stick or baguette with a soft thin crust, it combines fresh garlic, unsalted butter, salt, and parsley to create a rich and aromatic spread. Wrapped in foil and baked to crispy perfection, this garlic bread is perfect as a side dish or snack.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 French stick / baguette (~60cm / 2ft long)
Garlic Butter
- 125 g / 1 US stick unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp fresh garlic, minced (~3 – 4 cloves)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp finely chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for baking the garlic bread.
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the French stick in half lengthwise. Then cut almost all the way through the bread into 2cm (about 4/5 inch) thick slices, being careful not to slice all the way through so the bread remains intact.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced fresh garlic, salt, and chopped parsley. Taste the mixture to ensure it has enough garlic and salt according to your preference.
- Apply Garlic Butter: Spread the garlic butter generously over the cut side of the bread, making sure each slice is well coated. Then smear the remaining butter evenly on the top and sides of the bread for added flavor.
- Wrap in Foil: Wrap each loaf of garlic bread tightly in aluminum foil to keep the moisture in and help the flavors meld during baking.
- Bake: Place the wrapped bread in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Check through the foil to ensure the crust has become crispy and the butter has melted through.
- Serve: Carefully unwrap the foil and serve the garlic bread warm, perfect as a side or snack.
Notes
- This recipe uses fresh garlic which significantly enhances the flavor compared to preserved garlic in takeout garlic bread.
- Using an economical French stick or baguette with a soft, thin crust provides the best texture and taste.
- If you prefer, finely chopped parsley can be omitted or substituted with other fresh herbs like basil or oregano for variation.
- Make sure to taste the garlic butter mixture before spreading to adjust salt and garlic intensity to your liking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 287 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 502 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 44 mg
