Garlic Bread (So Easy but So Delicious!)

Meal Suggestions

• Perfect alongside Italian classics like spaghetti marinara, lasagna, and chicken parmigiana. Also complements hearty soups such as minestrone, tomato basil, or creamy potato leek soup. Serve with Caesar salad or antipasto platters for a complete meal or slice into strips as an appetizer with marinara sauce for dipping.

 

Shortcuts

• If the butter was not softened ahead of time, you can warm it up in an oven-safe dish while the oven is preheating – just try not to let it melt too much or it will be a bit difficult to work with (or will need to be set back up before spreading). Or, soften butter quickly by cutting into small cubes and letting sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, or microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

• Garlic cloves freeze well – avoid the peeling by using thawed peeled cloves and mincing. The flavor will be bit different (milder), but it will still be good.

• “Jarlic” is not recommended since jarred garlic has a prominent flavor.

• Garlic powder can substitute for fresh garlic in a pinch – use ¼ teaspoon per clove. It will be a different flavor but still good.

 

Troubleshooting / Prevention

• For overly soft bread, unwrap during the last 3 to 4 minutes of baking.

• If butter mixture is too thick to spread, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

• Prevent soggy bottoms by placing individual slices on a wire rack over the baking sheet.

• If bread becomes too hard, brush lightly with olive oil before reheating.
  

Make Ahead

• Prepare the entire loaf up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate wrapped in foil.

• For longer storage, assemble the bread, wrap tightly in plastic wrap then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

• Bake frozen bread directly from the freezer, adding 5 to 10 minutes to cooking time.

• Individual slices can also be prepared, frozen on baking sheets, then stored in freezer bags for convenient single servings.

 

Storage & Leftovers

• Store leftover garlic bread wrapped in aluminum foil or airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, though texture may become dry and chewy. Reheat in 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispiness, or toast individual slices in a toaster oven. For best results, avoid microwaving as it makes bread soggy.

 

Substitutions & Variations

• Toasted garlic bread: This is the version I grew up with…instead of baking as one whole loaf, slice the bread completely and lay slices in a single layer on a sheet tray. Spread the tops with the butter/garlic mixture. Bake until the butter is melted and the bread is toasted (browned slightly). This will result in crunchier, browned slices.

• Roasted garlic: Roasted garlic instead of fresh can be just as popular. Just cut the top off 1 head of garlic, exposing the tops of at least most of the cloves. Place garlic on aluminum foil, sprinkle 2 tsp of olive oil and ½ tsp of kosher salt over the top. Scrunch the aluminum foil to cover the garlic completely and place the foil pack in the oven. Allow the garlic to roast for ½ hour (remove early if garlic is starting to smell overly cooked). Carefully squeeze the garlic into the butter instead of minced fresh garlic and prepare and cook as usual.

• Additions: It doesn’t just have to be butter and garlic; other add-ins can be incorporated into the butter mixture or sprinkled on top. Click here for a very comprehensive list of ideas.

 

Substitutions & Variations – Shelf-Stable & Frozen Ingredients

• The bread, garlic, and butter can all be frozen. Make sure to thaw/soften the butter and garlic in advance and that the bread is at least thawed enough to slice. If the bread is frozen, a longer cooking time might be needed.

 

Substitutions & Variations – Keto-Friendly

• Replace French bread with keto-friendly alternatives like almond flour bread, cauliflower bread, or thick slices of grilled eggplant or portobello mushroom caps. Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese to increase fat content and flavor.

 

Substitutions & Variations – Gluten-Free

• Use your favorite gluten-free baguette or bread. Ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free. The recipe works identically with gluten-free alternatives, though baking time may vary slightly.

 

Substitutions & Variations – Lactose-Free

• Replace butter with lactose-free butter brands like Lactaid or use high-quality olive oil (about ¼ cup) for a different but delicious flavor profile. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Substitutions & Variations – Dairy-Free

• Substitute plant-based butter such as Earth Balance, Miyoko's, or Country Crock Plant Butter. Coconut oil (solid, not melted) also works well. Add extra salt if using unsalted plant-based alternatives.

 

Substitutions & Variations – Vegan

• Use vegan butter as above and ensure the bread contains no milk, eggs, or honey – read labels carefully.

• Many French breads are naturally vegan but always verify ingredients.

• Plant-based yogurt can create an interesting twist when mixed with herbs and garlic.

 

Safety Tips

• Garlic butter should not sit at room temperature longer than 2 hours due to botulism risk – refrigerate promptly.