Homemade Garlic Bread is one of those recipes that’s always a good idea. This version is made completely from scratch with pantry staples and packs in tons of garlicky flavor. Once you make it this way, you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind.
Crispy garlic bread just finishes a meal, so I have a few favorites in my recipe box. They are my cheese bacon bread and my cheese stuffed bread.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe is a Keeper
I love this garlic bread recipe because checks all the boxes for flavor, simplicity, and satisfaction. It’s super easy to make, it’s one of my go-to recipes.
- Simple Ingredients: The core ingredients for this easy garlic bread recipe are basic pantry staples: italian or french bread, butter, garlic, and usually some herbs.
- Customizable: As you’ll see in the variations section, it’s incredibly easy to adapt to personal preferences and what you have on hand for this garlic loaf recipe.
- Economical: Making delicious homemade garlic bread at home is far cheaper than buying pre-made versions, and it often tastes significantly better.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Few people can resist a warm, fragrant piece of garlic bread. It’s a guaranteed hit at dinner parties, potlucks, and family meals.
- Relatively Quick to Make: Once prepped, it bakes up in a short amount of time, making it a feasible addition to even weeknight dinners.
How Do I Get that Golden Crunchy Top?
To make sure the bread halves are crispy you can broil them. Set your oven to broil and leave them in for a minute, or until they’re as crisp as you like.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This garlic bread was so tasty! It was the perfect side to go with our Bolognese sauce tonight. Thanks for the great recipe”
~ Holly
Get 200 easy and delicious dinner recipes, so you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Ingredient Notes for the Best Garlic Bread
Just a few everyday ingredients make this recipe sing. Bread with butter and garlic.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cloves of Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for the most delicious garlic flavor. Mince the garlic very finely or use a garlic press.
- Butter: Unsalted is best so you can control the seasoning. Room temp is key.
- Parsley: Fresh adds color and brightness, but dried works in a pinch.
- Bread: A loaf of French bread or Italian bread work best—look for a crusty exterior with a soft interior.
Variations and Substitutions and Bread to Use
Make the best garlic bread recipe your own with a few simple tweaks. You won’t believe how easy it is to make.
- Bread: Try different breads including a baguette, ciabatta or gluten-free bread.
- Fresh Herbs: Try dill, chives or fresh parsley sprinkled on the top.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese before baking for cheesy garlic bread.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and check the bread for dairy content.
- Use Garlic Powder: In a pinch, garlic powder works—use ½ tsp per clove.
How to Make Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
The best garlic bread ever comes together in 4 easy to follow steps. This is some of the best garlic bread I’ve ever had, so it quickly became one of my favorite recipes because it’s so easy to make.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat Oven and Crush Garlic: Preheat the oven and crush garlic to form a paste.
- Make the Garlic Butter: Place the garlic in a small bowl with half of the butter and melt in the microwave. Whisk in the salt, cayenne pepper and garlic powder, then whisk in the rest of the butter.
- Cut the Bread: Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise using a bread knife, then spread the garlic butter on the cut side. Place the garlic bread on a baking sheet and bake until garlic butter has melted into the bread.
- Toast the Bread: Take another baking sheet and press down on the top of the loaf. Bake for 6-8 minutes, checking about halfway to prevent the minced garlic from burning. The bread should be deep golden.
Make Ahead Suggestions
When I prepare ingredients for the best homemade garlic bread ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner.
- Make the Garlic Butter: The garlic butter mixture can be made several days ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes or microwave briefly until spreadable.
- Assemble and Freeze: You can fully assemble the garlic bread (spread the butter on the bread, but don’t bake it) and freeze it. Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. When ready, you can bake frozen garlic bread as instructed (it will just take a bit longer, add 5-10 minutes more).
- Pre-Slice Bread: Slice your bread ahead of time if using a whole loaf. Store it in an airtight bag or container to prevent it from drying out.
Alternate Cooking Methods to Make Garlic Bread
There are a couple different ways to make this homemade garlic bread from scratch. Try it in the air fryer, on the grill or in the toaster oven.
- Air Fryer: Slice bread into portions, top with garlic butter, and air fry at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until crispy.
- Grill: Wrap the bread in aluminum foil and grill over medium heat for 10 minutes, flipping once. For crispier garlic bread, let sit for longer.
- Toaster Oven: Bake individual slices for a small batch. For softer garlic bread, don’t toast for as long.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Garlic Bread
- Storing: Wrap leftover garlic bread in foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Bake wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10 minutes or pop slices of classic garlic bread into the toaster oven.
- Using Leftovers: Cube leftovers for homemade croutons or blend into breadcrumbs.
Common Questions About This Easy Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Absolutely! Feel free to use whatever kind of butter you have for this easy recipe. You may want to use garlic salt for a little more flavor.
If your garlic bread is soggy, you may have added too much butter to the bread. Be sure to use just enough to cover the surface without it pooling.
Expert Tips and to What Serve with Garlic Bread
- Soften Butter Properly: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature, but not melted. This allows it to mix easily with the garlic and herbs and spread smoothly onto the bread.
- Mince Garlic Finely (or Use a Press): For even distribution and to prevent large chunks of raw garlic, mince your garlic very finely or use a garlic press.
- Don’t Skimp on the Salt: Salt is essential to bring out the flavors of the garlic and butter.
- Cut Bread Strategically: For a whole loaf, you can either slice it all the way through or cut it most of the way through, leaving the bottom crust intact. This keeps the slices together for easier handling and serving but allows the butter to penetrate.
- Generous Spread: Don’t be shy with the garlic butter. Spread it generously to cover the entire cut surface of the bread for maximum flavor.
- Bake Until Golden and Crisp: The key to great garlic bread is achieving that perfect crispy exterior. Keep an eye on it, especially during the last few minutes, as it can go from perfect to burnt quickly. A high initial temperature (like 400°F/200°C) helps achieve this.
- Broil for Extra Crispness: For an even crispier top, or if you added cheese and want it bubbly and browned, a quick 1-2 minute broil at the end can work wonders. Watch it very closely.
- Serve Immediately: Garlic bread is best served warm and fresh from the oven when it’s at its crispiest and most aromatic.
- Serve With: Serve this recipe with Instant Pot Meatloaf, 30 Minute Skillet Lasagna or Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
More Recipes You Might Like
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced or sliced
- ½ cup Butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 loaf Italian bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450℉.
- Place the garlic slices in a mortar and pestle and crush to form a paste. (Alternatively, place in a small bowl and use the back of a spoon to crush.)
- Place the garlic in a small bowl with half of the butter and melt for 1 minute in the microwave.
- Whisk in the salt, cayenne pepper and garlic powder until well incorporated, then whisk in the remaining butter.
- Cut the loaf in half through the middle, then spread the garlic butter all over the cut edges of the loaves.
- Place the sliced loaves on a cookie sheet and bake for 3 minutes until garlic butter is melted into the bread. Remove from oven.
- Take a second baking sheet and press down on the top of the loaf to form a “press.”
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, checking at the 5 minute mark to prevent the minced garlic from burning. The bread should be deeply golden and will have a few dark brown spots, especially where the minced garlic is concentrated.
Christina’s Notes
- Use Softened Butter: Makes it easier to spread and keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- Broil at the End: A quick broil adds the perfect golden, crispy top.
- Use Fresh Garlic: It’s key to getting that authentic, restaurant-style flavor.
- Prep Ahead: Garlic butter can be made days in advance—just spread and bake.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
This garlic bread was so tasty! It was the perfect side to go with our Bolognese sauce tonight. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Sorry. This isn’t from scratch. I needed a recipe that doesn’t require me to already have a loaf of bread. Making the bread from scratch is what would make the recipe “from scratch.”