Name: House Favorite Garlic Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-490152H49M29S
Total time: PT-490152H49M29S
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, cut into chunks; 1 large clove garlic, grated; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; Half a loaf of French bread or a full loaf of Italian bread

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

Garlic bread is a beloved classic that’s perfect as an appetizer, side, or snack. This recipe for House Favorite Garlic Bread uses a rich garlic butter spread combined with Parmesan and fresh parsley, baked to golden perfection. It’s easy to make and sure to please any crowd.

A wooden cutting board sits on a white marbled texture surface, holding rectangular pieces of golden-brown garlic bread cut into neat squares. The bread has a crispy, textured top layer with visible green parsley bits and melted cheese, giving it a crunchy and flavorful look. One woman's hand is holding a single piece of bread, showing the soft, airy white inside with a lightly toasted crust. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, cut into chunks
1 large clove garlic, grated
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Half a loaf of French bread or a full loaf of Italian bread

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Soften the butter by microwaving it in short increments until spreadable but not melted.
Step 2: Grate the large garlic clove directly into the softened butter to maximize fresh flavor.
Step 3: Stir in the garlic powder, finely grated Parmesan cheese, and minced fresh parsley into the butter-garlic mixture. If the butter feels too runny, chill it briefly in the fridge to firm up.
Step 4: Cut the loaf of French or Italian bread in half lengthwise to create two large pieces, ready for spreading the garlic butter.
Step 5: Liberally spread a thick layer of the prepared garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread.
Step 6: Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake in the middle rack of the oven for 9 to 10 minutes. For a more browned, crispy top, bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 7: Remove the garlic bread from the oven, slice into serving pieces, and enjoy immediately while warm and fragrant.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbal touch; substitute with dried parsley if fresh is unavailable, but use less to avoid overpowering.
For a cheesier variation, sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the garlic butter before baking.
To make it vegan, replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Storage

Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until heated through and crisp. Avoid microwaving to preserve the bread’s texture.

How to Serve

Eight pieces of garlic bread with a golden-brown toasted crust sit on a wooden board. Each piece has a thick base layer of soft white bread topped with a rich, bubbly, melted cheese layer mixed with green chopped herbs, giving a speckled green and white look on top. The cheese is browned slightly in some areas, showing a crispy texture. A woman's hand with painted white nails and wearing three gold rings is lifting one piece from the bottom right corner. The board is placed on a white marbled surface with a light pink cloth peeking from the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular garlic instead of grated garlic?

Yes, but grating the garlic directly into the butter releases more flavor and aroma compared to chopping or crushing.

What type of bread works best for garlic bread?

French or Italian bread with a firm crust and soft interior is ideal as it crisps nicely in the oven and holds the butter well without becoming soggy.