Homemade Garlic Bread

This homemade garlic bread is made with a soft, Italian loaf spread with homemade garlic butter and fresh parsley that's oven baked until crispy. Make this crispy bread with tons of garlicky goodness in your home kitchen with just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes! 

Ingredients and Substitutions

You'll need just 5 simple ingredients to make homemade garlic bread! 

• Italian bread – My favorite type of bread to use for homemade garlic bread is Italian bread. It's nice and large, plump and very soft on the inside. French baguettes are typically longer, thinner and more crusty and not the best to use when making homemade garlic bread. 
• Butter – You can use either regular butter or dairy-free butter.
• Parmesan cheese – Any store-bought parmesan will do the trick. I typically use Minimalist Baker's homemade parmesan recipe  because it is easy to make with ingredients I always have on hand and I can control how salty I make it.
• Garlic cloves – It is imperative to use fresh garlic when making homemade garlic bread. You will not be able to get that same pungent, sharp garlic flavor using garlic powder or garlic granules and the flavor of your bread will fall flat. Always use fresh garlic. 
• Parsley – I love using lots of fresh parsley in my garlic bread because it really elevates the flavor! Make sure to buy Italian flat leaf parsley over curly parsley. It has a very different texture and flavor. If you don't love the flavor of fresh parsley, try other fresh herbs such as fresh basil, chives, or fresh oregano. 

How to Make Homemade Garlic Bread

1. Soften the butter to room temperature. This is a really important step and cannot be skipped. Leave the butter out at room temperature for 1-2 hours until your finger or a spatula can make an indent in the butter with zero resistance. Be careful not to let it melt too much or it will be liquid and difficult to work with.

2. Fold the garlic herb butter together until evenly combined. The texture of the garlic herb butter should be very soft and spreadable, but not be liquid. 
3. Cut your loaf in half. Slice your Italian bread longways and lay both halves on a large baking sheet. Feel free to line with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, if desired. 

5. Spread on the garlic herb butter. There should be plenty to spread generously on both halves.
6. Bake! Bake the garlic bread for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the bread is a nice golden color.

Serving Suggestions 

This garlic bread is the perfect side dish to serve alongside pastas, soups, salads, casseroles, and other Italian dishes. It's easily one of my favorite side dishes To Serve with Spaghetti, but honestly pairs with so much more! Below are some of my favorite mains to serve this buttery garlic bread with, but don't be afraid to experiment:

• Pasta Dishes:  Tofu Bolognese Sauce, Creamy Mushroom Pasta Bake, Stuffed Spaghetti Squash, Veggie-Packed Spaghetti Sauce.
• Soups: Tortellini Soup, Lasagna Soup, Lemon Orzo Soup, Minestrone, Cauliflower Soup, Butternut Squash Soup, and Tomato Soup.
• Other mains: ​Lentil Loaf, Beyond Meatloaf, or Beyond Sausage Recipes. 
• Other sides that pair well: Green Beans, Brussels Sprouts, and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.

Storage Instructions 

Allow the leftover garlic bread to cool to room temperature, then wrap tightly in foil or place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

When ready to reheat, place the foil-wrapped garlic bread back in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 325F, or until warmed through. Or, if you prefer to air fry, unwrap the garlic bread and reheat for a few minutes at 350F, or until the bread is warm with a crispy crust. 

How to Freeze Garlic Bread

Freezing garlic bread is one of my favorite ways to meal prep and ensure I always have the perfect side dish on hand for impromptu meals (especially when hosting guests!). If you haven't been stocking up when sales are on and freezing your breads, bagels, tortillas, muffins, and more, you are missing out on major savings! 

To freeze this garlic bread, follow the recipe steps through just before the baking step. Place the two halves on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 1 hour, or until frozen solid. After the garlic bread is frozen solid, carefully place the halves back together and wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. Store the bread in the freezer for up to 3 months, then bake directly from frozen as directed, or until golden brown and crispy again. 

Recipe FAQs

Can garlic bread sit out overnight? 

Yes, garlic bread actually does best when stored at room temperature. Allow the garlic bread to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight storage container or wrapped in saran wrap. 

Can garlic bread be microwaved? 

Yes, garlic bread can be reheated in the microwave, but note that this will not make it crispy. If you want fresh tasting, crispy garlic bread, wrap the leftovers in aluminum foil and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until hot and crispy again (about 10 minutes). 

Tips and Tricks

• Broil it for the last couple of minutes for a crispier crust! If you like extra hot and crispy garlic bread, broil the bread for the last 2-3 minutes. Make sure to watch carefully to make sure the garlic does not burn. 
• Buy fresh bread. Unlike when making French Toast, you do not want to use stale bread for homemade garlic bread. I try to buy a loaf of Italian bread on the same day I'm planning to use it to make sure it's as soft and fresh as possible.