Description
This Homemade Garlic Bread recipe features a classic combination of buttery garlic spread, fresh parsley, and crispy, golden bread. Perfect as a side dish for Italian meals or as a savory snack, it offers a delicious, easy-to-make accompaniment that bakes to perfection with optional Parmesan cheese and an extra crispy finish when drizzled with olive oil or broiled briefly.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Butter Spread
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Bread
- 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread
Optional Toppings
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for extra crispiness)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the garlic bread to a golden crisp.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the loaf horizontally into two halves and place both halves cut side up on a baking sheet to ensure even toasting.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, mixing thoroughly until well blended for a flavorful spread.
- Spread Mixture: Evenly spread the prepared garlic butter mixture over the cut surfaces of both bread halves, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Add Cheese (Optional): Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bread halves if desired to add a savory, cheesy flavor.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges become golden brown and crispy, indicating it is perfectly toasted.
- Extra Crispiness (Optional): For a crunchier texture, drizzle olive oil over the bread before baking or place under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes after baking. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, slice into serving pieces, and serve warm to enjoy the fresh, aromatic garlic bread.
Notes
- You can add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for additional flavor variations.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute butter with a plant-based spread and omit Parmesan cheese.
- Leftover garlic bread can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes or frozen for up to 2 months for later use.
