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This easy homemade garlic bread is buttery, garlicky, and perfectly crisp on the outside with a soft, fluffy center. It comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients, and it tastes so much better than anything you’ll find in the freezer aisle.
Serve this garlic bread as a side for Crock Pot Ravioli Lasagna or Baked Spaghetti for the perfect dinner!
Why you’ll love this homemade garlic bread recipe!
Making your own garlic bread really takes only a few minutes more than heating up store-bought garlic bread—and not only does it taste better, it’s also more affordable to DIY it. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can double the recipe and make one for now and another to stick in the freezer for later.
While some homemade recipes use garlic powder for the garlic butter, I’m definitely a fan of using fresh garlic instead. Fresh garlic cloves are much more pungent, which means you extra garlicky flavor!
- Better Than Store-Bought: Fresh garlic, real butter, and bakery-style bread make this so much more flavorful than anything pre-made.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just minutes to prep and bakes up fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Perfect for Any Meal: Whether you’re serving pasta, soup, or salad, homemade garlic bread is always the perfect side.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make something truly delicious.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Butter – Use a high-quality butter.
- Garlic cloves – Here’s how to peel and cut garlic. Have extras? Here’s how to freeze garlic.
- French bread – You can Italian bread, sourdough, or other breads too, but I like using French bread because it’s soft in the center and it has a nice crusty exterior without being too crusty.
- Fresh parsley – Here’s how to use leftover herbs.
Variations
- Cheesy Garlic Bread: Add shredded mozzarella or parmesan before baking for a melty, cheesy version.
- Extra Garlic: Double the garlic if you love a bold, punchy flavor.
- Herb Upgrade: Add dried oregano or Italian seasoning for extra depth.
- Spicy Twist: Sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
How to Make Your Own Garlic Bread
- Make the garlic butter: Melt the butter and mix it with minced garlic until fully combined.
- Prepare the bread: Slice the bread in half lengthwise and spread the garlic butter evenly over the cut sides. Sprinkle with parsley.
- Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 8 minutes, then broil for 1–2 minutes until golden and crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the dishes I usually serve with this bread:
Storage + Reheating
- To Store: Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 2–3 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap unbaked garlic bread in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, or broil briefly to crisp it back up.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but fresh garlic gives a much stronger and more authentic flavor.
French bread is ideal, but Italian bread or sourdough also work well.
Yes! Prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
More Bread Recipes You’ll Love
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Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 loaf 1 pound French bread, halved lengthwise
- 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic. Brush over cut sides of bread; sprinkle with parsley. Place, cut side up, on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Serve.
