Easy Homemade Garlic Bread From Scratch
This easy homemade garlic bread recipe will have you wondering why you ever purchased store-bought! Made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients I’m sure you have in your kitchen.
There’s something comforting about the aroma of freshly baked garlic bread wafting through your kitchen. In our home, it’s often paired with a hearty pasta dish or a hot bowl of soup. Who am I kidding, my kids ask for garlic bread with almost any meal!
In my home, garlic bread is a beloved classic. The best part? Making garlic bread from scratch is simpler than you might think, and the satisfaction of biting into a warm, crispy, and flavorful piece of homemade bread is incomparable.
Why Make It From Scratch?
Creating garlic bread from scratch allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking. Imagine the crunch of a perfectly toasted crust, the softness of the warm bread inside, and the rich, buttery garlic spread melting into every bite. It’s an experience that store-bought options simply can’t match. Plus, the process of making it is not only easy but something that even your youngest child can help make.
With just a few basic ingredients—bread, garlic, butter, fresh herbs, and a touch of salt—you can whip up a batch of garlic bread that will impress. The simplicity of the recipe means that even beginning bakers can achieve delicious results. And if you’re looking to add a personal touch, there are countless variations and enhancements you can experiment with, from cheesy garlic bread to garlic bread pizzas.
Ingredients for Homemade Garlic Bread
As I mentioned before, this easy garlic bread recipe is made with only a few ingredients and it’s highly likely that you already have what you need…
Bread: We prefer homemade sourdough using THIS RECIPE but you can also purchase a loaf of French bread at your local bakery or grocery store.
Butter: Lean in and hear me out….Real butter is where it’s at. But seriously, use good quality butter! You can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe just make sure it’s softened to room temperature.
Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are preferred over garlic powder. My family loves it either way, but using fresh garlic is where good garlic bread becomes perfect garlic bread.
Herbs: This is where personal preference comes into play. Italian seasoning can be used or better yet, try freshly chopped parsley and a little salt!
Want To Make It Cheesy?
Maybe you prefer your garlic bread with a little cheesy crunch. If so, you can add freshly grated parmesan on top for last 2-3 minutes of baking! Just keep an eye on it while baking so that you’re cheese doesn’t burn.
Can I Make It Vegan?
Yes. Simply substitute with vegan butter in the garlic mixture.
How to Make Homemade Garlic Bread
Follow this easy recipe to make homemade garlic bread that’s sure to impress your family and guests.
First, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Then slice your sourdough loaf. I like to slice my slices in half making them easy to handle for all of the small hands in our home. If you purchase French bread, slice it lengthwise and then place the 2 halves on the baking sheet cut side up and if you prefer Italian bread, you can cut it into individual slices.
Next, make your garlic butter mixture. Place your softened butter in a small bowl, then add the minced garlic cloves (or a little bit of garlic powder), fresh parsley, and salt.
Mix it together and spread it evenly onto the soft bread.
Place your baking tray in the oven preheated to 425°F and bake for 10-12 minutes. If you want to make cheesy bread, sprinkle a little freshly grated parmesan cheese onto your loaves for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Bake until the edges are a golden brown and place it on your dinner table!
If you prefer crispy edges, you can add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Storage Tips
To store leftover garlic bread, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container to maintain itsfreshness. For best results, keep it at room temperature if you plan to consume it within a day; otherwise, refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy your garlic bread again, reheat it by wrapping it in foil and placing it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s warmed through and crispy. Wrapping it in foil will keep the top of the loaf from getting too crispy.
Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the bread chewy. For an extra touch of freshness, you can brush a little bit of additional garlic butter or sprinkle some fresh herbs on top before serving.
How To Freeze Garlic Bread
Yep! You read that right. Garlic bread can absolutely be frozen! Freezing garlic bread allows you to enjoy a quick and delicious side dish whenever you need it, with minimal preparation and cleanup.
1. Prepare the Garlic Bread: Make the garlic bread as you normally would, but stop before the baking step.
2. Slice and Wrap: Slice the garlic bread into individual pieces if you prefer. Wrap each slice or the whole loaf tightly in aluminum foil. If you prefer, you can also place the wrapped bread in a freezer-safe plastic bag to provide extra protection against freezer burn.
3. Reheat Unbaked Frozen Garlic Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the garlic bread from the freezer and unwrap it. Place it on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Tips
Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic will give your bread a more robust and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.
Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is at room temperature so it mixes well with the garlic and spreads easily on the bread.
Even Spread: Spread the garlic butter evenly on both sides of the bread for a consistent flavor and crispiness.
Broil for Extra Crispiness: After baking, switch to broil for a minute or two to get the tops golden and extra crispy. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Herbs and Cheese: Add fresh or dried herbs like parsley, oregano, or basil to the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top for an extra flavor boost.
Variations
Garlic Bread Pizzas: Use the garlic bread as a base for mini pizzas. After spreading the garlic butter, add pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Spicy Garlic Bread: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
Avocado Garlic Bread: Spread mashed avocado on top of the baked garlic bread and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper for a creamy and delicious variation.
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Happy cooking, and enjoy your homemade garlic bread!
Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- Sourdough Loaf Italian or French loaf of bread
- 1/2 cup softened butter salted or unsalted
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch or two of sea salt
- Optional:
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- OR
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- For garnishing:
- sprig of parsley
Instructions
- First, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Slice your sourdough loaf. I like to slice my slices in half making them easy to handle for all of the small hands in our home. If you purchase French bread, slice it lengthwise and then place the 2 halves on the baking sheet cut side up and if you prefer Italian bread, you can cut it into individual slices.
- Next, make your garlic butter mixture. Place your softened butter in a small bowl, then add the minced garlic cloves (or a little bit of garlic powder), fresh parsley, and salt.
- Mix it together and spread it evenly onto the bread.
- Place your baking tray in the oven preheated to 425°F and bake for 10-12 minutes. If you want to make cheesy bread, sprinkle a little freshly grated parmesan cheese onto your loaves for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Bake until the edges are a golden brown and place it on your dinner table!
- If you prefer crispy edges, you can add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
