Garlic Bread Recipe

Nothing beats the aroma of buttery, toasted bread fresh from the oven, and this homemade Garlic Bread Recipe delivers crisp golden edges and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center every single time. Whether you are pairing it with a comforting bowl of pasta, dipping thick slices into warm marinara sauce, or serving it alongside a hearty soup, a classic garlic bread recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish. Made with everyday kitchen staples—real softened butter, plenty of fresh garlic cloves, bright parsley, and a savory dusting of Parmesan—this easy garlic bread recipe takes just minutes to prep and bakes to perfection.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes

• Total Time: 17 minutes

• Servings: 6–8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 large loaf French or Italian bread (about 1 pound)

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

• 4 to 5 large cloves fresh garlic, finely minced or grated

• 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (reduce to a pinch if using salted butter)

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

• Warm marinara sauce, for dipping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prep the loaf: Slice the loaf of bread in half horizontally using a serrated bread knife. Place both halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Mix the garlic butter: In a small bowl, mash together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper with a fork until smooth and evenly blended.

4. Butter the bread: Spread the garlic butter generously across the open faces of the bread, working it all the way to the crusts so the edges toast evenly.

5. Add the cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over both halves.

6. Bake until golden: Place the baking sheet on the center rack and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the butter is fully melted and the edges are crisp and golden brown. If you prefer a deeper crunch on top, switch the oven to high broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes, keeping a close eye on the bread so the garlic does not burn.

7. Slice and serve: Transfer the toasted halves to a wooden cutting board, let them rest for 2 minutes, and cut into thick slices. Serve warm on their own or alongside a bowl of warm marinara sauce.

Tips for the Best Results

• Grate your garlic: Instead of chopping the garlic into big pieces that can burn in the oven, use a microplane grater or garlic press to turn the cloves into a fine paste that melts seamlessly into the butter.

• Room-temperature butter is key: Avoid melting the butter in the microwave before spreading. Softened butter sits on top of the bread and slowly bakes in, giving you a crisp top and a pillowy interior, whereas melted butter soaks straight to the bottom and makes the loaf heavy.

• Make it ahead: You can assemble the garlic bread up to a day in advance, wrap the halves tightly in foil, and keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. Add 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.