Easy Garlic Bread Recipe

Name: How to Make Garlic Bread
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 French bread loaf, (or Italian bread, halved lengthwise); ½ cup butter, (softened); 3 cloves garlic, (minced); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, (optional - do not need to use)

Garlic Bread Ingredients and Substitutions
How to Make Garlic Bread
How to Make Garlic Bread
Recipe FAQ
Complete The Meal

When we have Italian for dinner (especially pasta), we love to serve up a side of this garlic bread recipe.

It’s the perfect side dish or appetizer! It takes just minutes to transform a loaf of crusty bread into a golden masterpiece.

Simply combine softened butter with fresh garlic, herbs, and a sprinkle of cheese to create a flavorful spread, then bake! We make this best garlic bread all the time, and especially love to enjoy this alongside pasta dishes, soups, or salads for an irresistible accompaniment.

Why we think you’ll love it:

Fast and flavorful. Whip up this garlic bread recipe in just 20 minutes for a satisfying side dish or appetizer.
Simple ingredients. All you need is bread, butter, garlic, and a touch of magic (okay, maybe some herbs and cheese).
Elevates any meal. Enjoy the warm, garlicky goodness alongside Easy Pasta Recipes, Crockpot Soup Recipes, Easy Salad Recipes, or savor it on its own for a delightful bite.

Garlic Bread Ingredients and Substitutions

1 French Bread loaf or Italian Bread, halved lengthwise – Choose crusty loaves of bread that are 1-2 days old. Ciabatta, baguettes, or Sourdough Bread can also be used.
½ cup softened unsalted butter – see How to Soften Butter Quickly. Up to a tablespoon of olive oil added to the butter mixture can add a touch of richness.
3 cloves garlic, minced – see How to Mince Garlic or use pre-minced garlic from a jar
1 teaspoon dried oregano – or 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley – or 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional) – or Parmesan Cheese, Provolone, Gruyere, or Fontina

A garlic butter mixture in a white bowl.

How to Make Garlic Bread

PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, combine ½ cup softened butter, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
BAKE. Spread garlic butter mixture on the open side of both pieces of bread. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese (optional). Place the butter side up onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, then remove and place the oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and turn to broil. Add bread back in and broil for about 1-2 minutes, or until slightly golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on the bread so it does not burn.
- Slice bread with a serrated knife and serve warm.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

For soft, warm garlic bread, we butter and season the bread, press the halves back together, and wrap the entire loaf with aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until the butter is melted.
To use fresh herbs, use 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
Make it cheesy and sprinkle the tops with shredded cheese, like Colby Jack or mozzarella, before baking.
Choose crusty loaves of bread that are 1-2 days old. Ciabatta, baguettes, or Sourdough Bread can also be used.

Sliced garlic bread recipe topped with fresh parsley on a baking sheet.

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How to Make Garlic Bread

By: Kristyn Merkley

Unleash the garlicky goodness in 20 minutes with this easy, cheesy garlic bread recipe that elevates any meal!

Servings: 8

Prep: 8

Cook: 12

Total: 20

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 1 French bread loaf, or Italian bread, halved lengthwise
▢ ½ cup butter, softened
▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
▢ 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, optional – do not need to use

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried parsley.
Spread butter mixture on the open side of both pieces of bread. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Place the butter side up onto a baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, then remove and place the oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and turn to broil. Add bread back in and broil for about 1-2 minutes, or until slightly browned. Keep an eye on the bread so it does not burn.
Slice bread and serve warm.

Video

Notes

Recipe tips.

For soft, warm garlic bread, we butter and season the bread, press the halves back together, and wrap the entire loaf with aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until the butter is melted.
To use fresh herbs, use 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
Make it cheesy and sprinkle the tops with shredded cheese, like Colby Jack or mozzarella, before baking.
Choose crusty loaves of bread that are 1-2 days old. Ciabatta, baguettes, or Sourdough Bread can also be used.

Prep ahead of time. Prepare the garlic bread a few hours in advance. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil until baking.

Freeze ahead. Add the garlic butter and freeze each loaf. Once solid, wrap with plastic and foil and freeze for 2-3 weeks. Thaw before baking.

Store leftovers wrapped loosely in foil at room temperature for 1-2 days, or wrap tightly and freeze for 1-2 weeks. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 282kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 480mg, Potassium: 81mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 454IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 106mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Make ahead of time?

Prepare the garlic bread a few hours in advance. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
To freeze: add the garlic butter and season each loaf. Once solid, wrap with plastic and foil and freeze for 2-3 weeks. Thaw before baking.

How to store?

Store leftovers wrapped loosely in foil at room temperature for 1-2 days, or wrap tightly and freeze for 1-2 weeks. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.