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)

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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.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American