Super buttery and full of garlic flavor, this quick & easy homemade garlic bread will be a staple at mealtimes from lasagna to steak! It can be made ahead of time of simply spur the moment for a simple side for mealtimes.
I love garlic bread!
But have you ever ordered garlic bread from a restaurant only to get something that seems to resemble stale toast with a slight garlic flavor?
I always desire something more buttery and more garlic flavor than anything I can order or find in the store, which is why I came up with a way to make homemade garlic bread that is super buttery and full of garlic flavor!
I can whip up this garlic bread very quickly and easily, and it goes well as a side for any meal.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Why you will love this recipe!
Here are the three reasons why this keeps making a comeback in our home for meals:
- Super quick & easy! This uses common ingredients you have.
- Very buttery and full of garlic flavor.
- Can be made two ways and prepped ahead, if needed.
What kind of bread makes the best garlic bread?
In my opinion, French bread makes the best garlic bread!
Whether it is homemade or store bought, French bread has a light fluffy texture without it crumbling apart on you.
With that said, I have made garlic bread with any kind of bread. If I don’t have French bread at home, I will use Italian bread or regular sandwich loaf bread.
Is garlic salt or garlic powder better for garlic bread?
Garlic powder is better!
Since garlic salt is garlic powder mixed with salt, you can’t control the saltiness level with the garlic flavor you want.
I always use garlic powder, and then maybe add a pinch of salt if needed. I find garlic bread doesn’t need a lot of salt to be flavorful!
What are the ingredients used in homemade garlic bread?
The ingredients are simple:
- French Bread – you will only need half a loaf (about 8 slices), unless serving a large crowd.
- Butter (I use salted, but it can be unsalted as well)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder (optional)
- Parsley (optional – or use another favorite herb your family loves!)
- Salt (optional)
Supplies to make homemade garlic bread
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Baking sheet (if making garlic bread slices)
- Aluminum foil (garlic bread loaf) or parchment paper (garlic bread slices)
How do you make homemade garlic bread?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
While your oven is preheating, combine the garlic powder, parsley, salt and onion powder together in a small bowl.
Mix in the softened butter, until well blended.
For a garlic bread loaf:
Cut the French bread into about 8 even slices but do not cut all the way through the bottom! (Not cutting all the way through will help the loaf hold together better, and keep the garlic butter in as it is baking).
On both sides of the bread slices, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly.
Wrap the bread completely in aluminum foil. (Note: If you don’t like using aluminum foil, you can simply prepare the garlic bread as slices – see below).
Bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
Remove the bread from the oven, and unwrap the aluminum foil.
Allow to cool for a couple of minutes before tearing the slices off and serving!
For garlic bread slices:
Cut the half loaf of French or Italian bread into about 8 even slices. (These should be cut all the way through, unlike the garlic bread loaf).
On one side of the bread slices, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place the slices garlic butter side up on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 – 15 minutes.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and serve the garlic bread slices!
Notes
- To prep the garlic loaf ahead of time:
- Follow the instructions to spread the garlic butter mixture on the bread slices, and then wrap in plastic wrap before placing in the freezer. Can freeze up to three months.
- To bake: Bake in aluminum foil for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.
- To prep the garlic bread slices ahead of time:
- Follow the instructions to spread the garlic butter mixture on one side of the bread, and then freeze on a lined baking sheet. Transfer to a freezer bag, and you can leave them frozen for up to three months.
- To bake: Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
Quick & Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp parsley flakes (optional)
- 1/8 tsp salt (optional)
- 1/8 tsp onion powder (optional)
- 4 Tbsp butter, softened
- 1/2 loaf French or Italian bread (about 8 slices)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Combine the garlic powder, parsley, salt and onion powder in a small bowl.
- Mix in the softened butter, until well blended.
Garlic Bread – Loaf
- With the half loaf of French or Italian bread, cut about 8 even slices but do not cut all the way through the bottom. (This will help it hold together better, and keep the garlic butter in as it is baking.)
- On both sides of the bread slices, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly.
- Wrap the bread completely in aluminum foil, and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the oven, and unwrap the aluminum foil.
- Allow to cool for a couple of minutes before tearing the slices off and serving.
Garlic Bread – Slices
- Cut the half loaf of French or Italian bread into about 8 even slices.
- On one side of the bread slices, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the slices garlic butter side up.
- Bake for 10 – 15 minutes.
Notes
- For prepping ahead of time:
- Loaf – Wrap in plastic wrap after buttering slices with garlic spread and freeze up to 3 months.
- To prepare: Unwrap the plastic wrap, and re-wrap in aluminum foil before baking for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Slices – Slice the bread slices all the way through, and butter one side with garlic spread. Freeze on a lined baking sheet, and then transfer to freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- To prepare: Line a baking sheet, and place the garlic bread slices butter side up. Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Loaf – Wrap in plastic wrap after buttering slices with garlic spread and freeze up to 3 months.
What meals go well with garlic bread?
Here are a few of my favorites to serve homemade garlic bread with:
- Lasagna
- Steak
- Spaghetti
- Chicken Alfredo
What’s your favorite? I would love to hear about it in the comments! We are always on the hunt for homemade meals to serve with garlic bread at our house.
Leave a Reply