This homemade garlic bread recipe is easy to make and SO delicious. The crispy, buttery slices are topped with flavorful garlic and fresh herbs.
What’s better than homemade garlic bread? If you ask me, not much. Crisp around the edges, soft and buttery in the middle, and packed with rich flavor from garlic and herbs, this Italian-American staple is comforting and delicious. It’s also very easy to make.
I’m sharing my best garlic bread recipe below, along with tips for storing it and making it ahead. If you’re used to eating garlic bread from the grocery store, get ready—this homemade version is on another level. Serve it as a side dish with your favorite pasta recipes, or devour it warm from the baking sheet. This garlic bread recipe is irresistible…I won’t judge!
What You Need to Make The Best Garlic Bread
Here’s what you’ll need to make this garlic bread recipe:
- Bread, of course! Look for a good baguette or soft French bread. A nice Italian loaf works well too!
- Garlic butter – I make this simple spread with softened butter, fresh garlic, parsley, and salt. It infuses the bread with buttery garlic flavor.
- Parmesan cheese – For savory, cheesy flavor.
- Flaky sea salt – It helps season the bread and gives the topping a nice crunch.
- Chopped fresh parsley – For fresh flavor and pretty flecks of green. Chives are also great here!
- And red pepper flakes – Optional, for heat.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Garlic Bread
If you’re learning how to make garlic bread for the first time, you won’t believe how easy it is! You can find the complete recipe at the bottom of this post, but for now, here’s a quick overview of how it goes:
Start by making the garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix the butter with the parsley, salt, and grated or finely minced garlic.
Then, prepare the bread. Use a serrated knife to slice the loaf in half lengthwise. Generously slather the cut sides with the garlic butter mixture.
Next, bake. Place the bread cut side up on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven until the butter is melted, about 8 minutes.
Turn on the broiler and broil the bread until the edges are golden brown and crisp, 2 to 5 minutes.
Finally, season and serve! Remove the bread from the oven, and top it with the Parmesan, more parsley, flaky sea salt, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Slice it into 3-inch chunks, and devour it hot, either on its own or as a side dish.
Enjoy!
Storage Tips
This recipe disappears fast in our house. If you have leftovers, I’ll be impressed!
If you do, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day.
To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and bake at 350°F until heated through, for about 10 minutes. A few minutes in an air fryer or toaster oven would also do the trick!
Freezing
You can also freeze homemade garlic bread before baking it.
- Slather the garlic butter onto the bread.
- Cut the bread into pieces that will fit in an airtight container or large freezer bag in a single layer.
- Seal them in the container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Bake the bread directly from frozen (it might need a few extra minutes in the oven). Sprinkle with cheese and more herbs after baking. Then, slice and serve!
What to Serve with Homemade Garlic Bread
This easy homemade garlic bread is a quick, delicious side dish!
Serve it with a simply cooked protein and roasted broccoli for a weeknight dinner, or pair it with a bowl of soup. It also goes nicely with Italian dishes. I love it with these:
What do you like to serve with it? Let me know in the comments!
