The Ultimate Garlic Bread (VIDEO)

Ingredient Tips

Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements!

• garlic – the garlic is used in both roasted and fresh form. I love how the roasted garlic is sweeter and nuttier, while the gresh garlic gives a sharper garlic flavor. Having both really deepens the flavors in the garlic bread! (There is a third form of garlic in this recipe, garlic powder, which adds a mellow, subtle flavor.)
  • If you need a quicker version of this recipe, you can skip roasting the garlic and increase the number of garlic cloves from 6 to 20. (If you love garlic, make sure to try my Garlic Fried Rice or Garlic Noodles!)
• unsalted butter – Make sure to use unsalted butter, as you’ll be adding salt in the recipe – if you only have salted butter, skip the salt. (The roasted garlic butter is similar to my Herb Compound Butter!)
• fresh parsley, chopped – I prefer using fresh herbs whenever possible; howvever, if you only have dried parsley available, use half the amout in the recipe (dried herbs is approximately 2x more potent than fresh).
• parmesan cheese – I like using parmesan cheese for this recipe but you can also use another mild white cheese, like mozzarella.
• French loaf, sliced lengthwise – I personally think French bread is the best bread for garlic bread; however, if you have something else on hand or prefer another bread, feel free to use a substitution! (Or use my Milk Bread recipe!)

Garlic Bread is a great side or appetizer to serve alongside roasted vegetables like Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Green Beans with Bacon, Perfect Roasted Potatoes, and Honey Roasted Carrots!

1. Make Garlic Butter

The key to the ultimate Garlic Bread is using 3 different forms of garlic – roasted garlic, fresh garlic, and garlic powder! The roasted garlic is sweeter and nuttier, while the fresh garlic is sharp and pungent, and the garlic powder rounds it out with a mellow, subtle flavor.

Slice the top quarter of the heads of garlic and place in aluminum foil. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with the ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Close the foil tightly around the garlic and bake in the oven at 325F for 1 hour. Remove the garlic and squeeze out the garlic cloves into a bowl and mash with a fork. (Don’t turn the oven off!)

To the same bowl, add the butter, parsley, fresh garlic, garlic powder, remaining salt and pepper, and parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to combine before spreading the butter mixture onto the inside of the 2 halves of the French loaf.

2. Bake the Garlic Bread

Increase the oven temperature to 350F. Place the bread on a sheet tray in the center of the oven and bake for 15 minutes until golden. Enjoy with Spaghetti, Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan, or a main dish like Braised Short Ribs!