Pasta night in just got a whole lot more exciting, and it's all thanks to this easy Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe. Crunchy, buttery, and smeared with the perfect amount of garlic flavor, what else would we serve next to saucy mainstays like Spaghetti and Meatballs or Fettucini Alfredo? These thick, evenly toasted slices of heaven are quick to make, quick to bake, and made for scooping up your favorite pasta sauce.
Learn how to make the best Garlic Bread Spread, which types of bread to smear it with, and the secret to baking gorgeously golden-brown Garlic Toasts every single time!
GARLIC BREAD SPREAD
The mixture that makes up garlic bread spread is also known as compound butter. Scary kitchen terminology -- super easy to make. Garlic bread spread is made up of butter, oil, and seasoning. This one also has Parmesan cheese. So, you're welcome.
WHY USE BUTTER AND OLIVE OIL?
When mixing up your spread, take note that the butter should be softened or at room temperature before you begin. This ensures the oil and the butter will blend together seamlessly.
The reason we use a combination of both butter and oil for Garlic Bread Spread is so that the butter (which has a very low smoke point) doesn't burn under high heat in the oven. The oil helps Homemade Garlic Bread bake up an even golden-brown, rather than black-and-burnt. Amen for that.
BIG FLAVOR | FEW INGREDIENTS
In addition to the butter and oil, minced parsley (you could also use dried parsley), Kosher salt, and a lovely dose of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Oh, and the garlic. Let's not forget the most important part.
The garlic for garlic bread should be minced as fine as possible, because as wonderful as garlic is, it's a tad pungent and a little bit goes a long way. The finer we mince, the more coverage our bread gets, the better it is.
HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BREAD SPREAD
To make garlic bread spread, mix the ingredients together using a fork, whisk, or the food processor, and it's ready for spreading! Seriously -- that's all there is to it.
HOMEMADE GARLIC BREAD INGREDIENTS
- Bread - You can use standard French bread, French sticks, Italian white bread, or a baguette to make Homemade Garlic Bread. For best results, buy the bread at your local bakery or from the bakery section of your grocery store. Note, if you are using a larger loaf of bread (e.g. a French loaf), you will need to double the amount of Garlic Bread Spread.
- Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter for making this Garlic Bread Spread, however, if you use salted butter, omit the salt from the recipe completely.
- Oil - The flavor of olive oil is preferable for this recipe, however, you could also use avocado or canola oil in a pinch.
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic - There's no roasting garlic necessary for this Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe. Phew -- that's irritatingly time-consuming task. Just a couple of cloves freshly minced garlic, straight into the Garlic Bread Spread is all you need!
- Parsley - You can use fresh or dried parsley, but keep in mind dried herbs are stronger than fresh herbs. If using dried parsley, you'll need just under 2 teaspoons.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE GARLIC BREAD
- Make sure your oven is preheated and have your sheet pans ready.
- Cut the Bread - Slice the bread into thick 1" pieces crosswise or down the middle lengthwise, whichever you prefer is fine.
- Make the Garlic Bread Spread - Mix together the butter and olive oil until the two are homogenous. Then, stir in the Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, and salt.
- Smear the Spread On the Bread - Apply a thin layer of the mixture to each slice of bread and transfer to the baking sheets Garlic Spread-side up.
- Bake - Bake until the tops are golden and the edges are tinging with golden-brown.
HOW TO CUT GARLIC TOASTS
You can go about cutting the bread one of two ways: Cut it down the middle lengthwise or cut it crosswise into toasts. If you cut them into Garlic Toasts, you're guaranteed a crispy, crunchy exterior while the inside stays nice and soft. Yes, please.
To cut bread into Garlic Toasts, using a sharp bread knife, cut the loaf crosswise into thick, 1" slices. If you are working with a smaller loaf (e.g. a baguette or French sticks), try cutting the slices at a bias so there is more surface area for spreading.
Slicing the loaf down the center lengthwise is also perfectly acceptable and totally delicious. If this is your method of choice, simply cut the bread as you wish, proceed with the recipe as directed, and then add 2-3 minutes on to the total cook time.
CAN YOU FREEZE GARLIC BREAD?
Homemade Garlic Bread freezes very well! To freeze garlic bread toasts, place it in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, taking care to press out any excess air from the bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
If you split the loaf lengthwise, first wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil and place in the freezer.
5 MORE BREAD RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
- Easy Yeast Rolls is a side dish a baker of any experience level can master. With this seamless process, you'll be serving up a golden, fluffy batch of dinner rolls without any hiccups along the way.
- Homemade Southern Biscuits bake up perfectly golden on the outside, flaky, and buttery on the inside every single time.
- Buttermilk Biscuits are extra tender, super flavorful, and equipped with layers for days! Add this recipe to your biscuit repertoire.
- Easy Drop Biscuits with Cheddar and Chives are great for a quick weeknight side dish, and an all-time savory favorite to pass around the table.
- Easy Homemade Cornbread feeds a crowd and makes for one impressive presentation ballooning out of its cast-iron pan, and always bakes up tender and moist!
An easy homemade garlic bread recipe featuring a simple garlic bread spread made up of butter, oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
- 1 pound French sticks, a baguette, Italian white bread, or a standard loaf of French Bread (see notes of using French bread)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly minced Italian parsley
- Generous pinch of Kosher salt
-
Preheat the oven to 425° and have ready 2 sheet pans.
-
Using a sharp bread knife, cut the loaf on a bias into thick 1" slices. See notes if you'd rather halve the loaf lengthwise.
-
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and olive oil. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, and salt.
-
Apply a thin layer of the mixture to each slice of bread and transfer to the baking sheets, buttered side up.
-
Bake 5-8 minutes, or until golden. Serve right away and enjoy.
Recipe Video
If you are using a French loaf, you'll need to double the Garlic Bread Spread.
If you'd prefer to slice your loaf of bread down the center lengthwise, simply cut the bread as you wish, proceed with the recipe as directed, and then add 2-3 minutes on to the total cook time.
