Homemade Garlic Bread
Homemade Garlic Bread
Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked garlic bread coming out of the oven. This homemade version features a generous amount of garlic butter with fresh herbs, spread on crusty bread and baked until golden and crispy on the edges while staying soft inside. It's the perfect accompaniment to pasta, soups, and salads.
Ingredients
- 1 large French baguette or Italian bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Make garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Prepare the bread: Cut the baguette in half lengthwise. If desired, make diagonal cuts into the bread about 2 inches apart, cutting about 3/4 of the way through (this makes it easier to tear apart later).
- Spread the butter: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut surfaces of the bread. If using, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Wrap in foil: Place the bread halves back together and wrap loosely in aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Open the foil and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until the edges are golden and crispy.
- Serve: Slice or tear apart and serve immediately while warm.
Chef's Tips
- Use softened butter - it spreads much more easily and evenly.
- For extra garlic flavor, roast whole garlic cloves and mash into the butter.
- The garlic butter can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week.
- For cheesy garlic bread, add mozzarella cheese and broil until bubbly.
- Day-old bread works great for garlic bread as it absorbs the butter well.