Garlic bread doesn’t need to be fancy or require special bread. With a simple white sourdough bread and a few basic ingredients, you can make the ultimate homemade garlic bread. Bursting with fresh herbs, garlic, and perfectly toasted goodness, it’s the perfect side for pasta, comfort food, or a crowd-pleasing snack. Crispy, chewy, and loaded with garlicky butter, this is the BEST garlic bread you’ll ever make!
Garlic Bread Recipe
It all started on a chilly evening when the smell of my bubbling stew filled the kitchen. I had spent the afternoon carefully chopping vegetables and simmering the broth to perfection. As I ladled the steaming stew into a bowl, I realized something was missing, something crunchy, buttery, and garlicky to complement the richness of the dish.
I opened my pantry and stared at the shelves. Crackers? Too plain. Chips? Not quite right. My gaze finally landed on a loaf of sourdough bread. Could I make garlic bread from this? I had no baguette, no fancy ciabatta, it was worth a try.
I started by softening the butter in a small bowl, then grated in four cloves of garlic. The sharp, pungent smell filled the room as I mixed it together. I slathered the garlicky goodness onto each slice of bread.
When I baked in the oven the aroma of garlic butter, and cheese filled the kitchen. I peeked into the oven. The edges of the bread had turned golden brown, the Parmesan melted into crispy little bubbles. I couldn’t wait.
When I pulled the tray out, the bread crackled softly as I transferred the slices to a plate. They looked humble, but the scent promised greatness.
I tore into the first slice, and the crunch was everything I had hoped for. The garlic was bold but not overwhelming, balanced by the richness of the butter and the slight tang of the Parmesan. I dipped a piece into my stew, and the combination was heavenly, the soft, savory broth soaking into the crispy bread.
What started as a simple craving turned into a revelation. I realized I didn’t need fancy ingredients or a complicated recipe to create something satisfying.
Since then, I’ve never looked at leftover bread the same way. In my kitchen, any loaf is a potential garlic bread masterpiece waiting to happen.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Garlic Bread Recipe From Bread
- Quick and Easy: This garlic bread takes less than 15 minutes to make, perfect for a quick side dish!
- Customizable: Make it your own by adding extra Parmesan, a pinch of chili flakes, or some mozzarella for a cheesy twist.
- Great for Leftovers: Leftovers (if there are any!) can be reheated or turned into croutons or even garlic bread pizzas.
- Crowd Favorite: Whether it’s a dinner party, family meal, or just for you, this garlic bread is always a hit!
🧾Garlic Bread Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Garlic Bread Recipe From Bread:
- Salted Butter: I love using room-temperature salted butter for garlic bread. It’s rich, and creamy, and adds a perfect hint of salt. It makes the garlic butter spreadable and gives the bread that golden, crispy finish as it melts in the oven, infusing the bread with garlic, parsley, and Parmesan flavors.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic is key here. When cooked in butter, it becomes sweeter and more fragrant, filling the kitchen with that irresistible garlic scent.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that balances the richness of the butter and cheese. Plus, it gives the garlic bread a lovely pop of green color.
- White Pepper Powder: A pinch of white pepper adds a subtle heat and depth, without taking away from the garlic and butter. It enhances the overall flavor without overpowering it.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan gives the bread a nutty, savory kick. As it melts, it adds a crispy texture and a delicious aroma that fills the kitchen.
- White Sourdough Bread: I love using white sourdough for its mild tanginess and soft yet chewy texture. It crisps up beautifully and soaks up all that yummy garlic butter, making the perfect base for all those flavors.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Garlic Bread from Bread
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a medium bowl, soften the butter with a fork.
2. Add chopped parsley, and minced garlic.
3. Add white pepper, and grated Parmesan.
4. Mix everything until well combined.
5. Generously spread the garlic butter evenly over each bread slice.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for 7-8 minutes, until the edges are golden and crispy.
7. Take the garlic bread out of the oven and let it cool a bit before slicing.
8. Serve hot or cold!
📖Variations
If you want a milder garlic flavor, try to confit the garlic in extra virgin olive oil before mixing it in. It softens the garlic’s bite but still tastes great.
Also, feel free to experiment with different cheeses! While Parmesan is classic, mozzarella or cheddar can add a richer, gooier texture if you’re in the mood for cheesy garlic bread.
🍽 What to Serve with Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is such a versatile side that goes with so many meals. Here are a few great pairings:
Pasta Dishes:
Cherry Tomato Pasta: The rich tomato sauce is perfect with crispy garlic bread.
Tagliatelle Alfredo: Creamy Alfredo sauce and buttery garlic bread make a great combo.
Gigi Hadid Pasta: The spicy vodka sauce pairs wonderfully with garlic bread.
Lasagna: Layers of cheesy, saucy goodness are balanced by the crunch of garlic bread.
Salads:
Caesar Salad: The creamy dressing and crunchy croutons are a great match for garlic bread.
Tuna Salad: Fresh, tangy ingredients like tomatoes and avocado contrast nicely with the rich garlic bread.
Tomato Burrata Salad: Fresh tomatoes, creamy burrata, and herbs complement garlic bread’s savory flavor.
Soups:
Coquina Squash Soup: The creamy soup pairs perfectly with crispy garlic bread.
French Onion Soup: Sweet caramelized onions and rich broth are great with garlic bread’s crunch.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is soft (room temp) for easy spreading and smooth garlic butter.
Herb It Up: Parsley is great, but feel free to try thyme, rosemary, or basil. Just chop them finely so they mix well.
Don’t Overdo the Parmesan: A little Parmesan goes a long way. Too much can overpower the garlic and herbs.
Thick Slices of Bread: For the best crispy texture, slice your bread about ½-inch thick. Thin slices can break easily.
Bake at the Right Temp: Bake at 350-375°F to avoid burning the garlic butter. Adjust the time for how crispy you like it.
Make Ahead: You can prep the garlic butter in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just spread it on bread and bake when you're ready!
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Garlic Bread Recipe From Bread
Ingredients
- 115 g Salted Butter
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- 15 g Parsley
- ¼ teaspoon White Pepper Powder
- 45 g Parmesan Cheese
- 5 Slices White Sourdough Bread
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened salted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, white pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until well combined and smooth.
- Spread a generous amount of the garlic butter mixture on each slice of bread, covering the surface evenly.
- Place the slices of sourdough bread on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) and bake for about 7-8 minutes or until the edges of the bread are golden brown and crispy. You can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes to get the top extra crispy if desired.
- Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before cutting.
- Serve warm or cold and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
his garlic bread recipe is a game-changer! The combination of the buttery garlic sauce and the fresh herbs is simply irresistible. I've never tasted garlic bread this good.