Garlic Bread is a classic side dish and perfect with everything from Baked Ziti to a juicy steak dinner or even Oven Baked Chicken Breasts! We used to buy garlic bread at the store until we realized how quick, easy and tasty it is to make it at home!

This garlic bread can be made just before serving or prepped well ahead of time and frozen.

Easy to Make (and Freeze)

Garlic bread is a favorite for everyone and I’ve bought the foil wrapped loaves at the grocery forever. Now I make my own and it tastes so much better (plus I make sure the garlic butter goes all the way to the edges)! Nearly every supermarket or corner store sells baguettes or loaves of fresh bread and they’re inexpensive.Making your own thick sliced homemade garlic bread is a snap and it makes the whole kitchen smell oh-so-good!

Feeling Cheesy? Toss on a little bit of parmesan (or cheddar) to create a cheesy garlic bread that goes with everything from Fresh Tomato Soup to a side for sopping up sauce in the bottom of your spaghetti bowl!

Craving garlic bread and don’t have a baguette handy? Making it with regular bread (or even leftover hot dog or hamburger buns) will do in a pinch, especially if you use a homemade garlic bread spread recipe!

Overhead shot of Homemade Garlic Bread ingredients

How to Make Garlic Bread

The best kind of bread will be a thick baguette that can hold the spread or a delicious French bread. In the end you will want it to be hot and chewy throughout and a little toasty on the edges.

  1. Combine the softened butter with… you guessed it, minced garlic & chopped parsley. (Add in some Roasted Garlic if you have some).
  2. Cut the bread in half lengthwise using a serrated knife. Secure the bread on a kitchen towel to keep it from sliding around.
  3. Generously spread each side of the cut sides of the bread with the garlic butter. Don’t skimp, it will soak in!

Feel free to sprinkle some parmesan cheese on both sides. This is optional, but adds a little crispy, cheesy goodness to it! Then bake both halves until toasty!

Overhead shot of two bread loaves spread with garlic butter mixture

Soft or Crisp Garlic Bread?

Kind of like a Baked Potato, I most often cook garlic bread without wrapping in foil as I prefer it to be toasted and lightly browned. If you prefer a softer bread, after spreading the butter, place the two halves back together and wrap the bread in foil. Bake about 15 minutes or until heated through.

As with most garlic bread recipes, this bread can also be grilled to serve alongside your favorite grilled chicken or steaks.

The best frozen garlic bread is always one you make yourself because you can make it just how you like!

  • Add more or less garlic
  • Swap the parsley for a pinch of dried oregano or dried rosemary
  • Add your fave cheese or no cheese at all

Overhead shot of fresh baked Homemade Garlic Bread sliced on a cutting board

Can You Freeze Garlic Bread?

Yes, most definitely!! This delicious homemade garlic bread can be frozen successfully! Simply make it, wrap in foil and then wrap with plastic wrap. Let it thaw naturally or remove the plastic wrap and bake it in a 300°F oven until it warm and the butter is melted!

More Great Breads to Try

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
Sliced Homemade Garlic Bread on a cutting board
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Homemade Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread is a classic Italian side dish but you don't have to be Italian to enjoy this easy recipe!  It goes with so many great things!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

a rimmed baking pan
Baking Sheet
Mixing Bowls on white background
Mixing Bowls
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Ingredients  

  • 1 loaf french bread
  • ½ cup salted butter softened
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic fresh, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Combine butter, olive oil, garlic and parsley until fluffy.
  • Halve the bread lengthwise.
  • Spread each side of the bread with garlic butter. Sprinkle with cheese if using.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden and toasted.
5 from 72 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 121 | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 20mg | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian

Homemade Garlic Bread with a title

Sliced loaf of Homemade Garlic Bread with a title
Homemade Garlic Bread with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

    1. EXCELLENT!! Got too lazy to search for the parsley so added 2 teaspoons italian seasoning and topped with fresh grated Romano cheese. Also put it under the broiler to lightly brown the cheese.5 stars

  1. I made this tonight with some baked spaghetti, and my husband said it was the best garlic bread he had ever had, so its a winner in our house!

    I used the Pillsbury refrigerator French bread dough and I have to agree, it was the best I’d ever had as well. I used freshly shredded Pinconning extra sharp cheddar and freshly shredded parmesan, and added some grated parm on top of that, let it cook a bit crisp. I need look no further for a great homemade garlic bread recipe. Thanks for sharing!5 stars

    1. Hi Joan, I have never used the Pillsbury dough before. Do you let it cook first or par bake it before adding the ingredients? Thank you so much for any information!

  2. Hi, Holly I have a quick question do you put the whole sticks of butter in the bowl or do you chop up the butter. Also how many sticks of butter do you use for this recipe

    1. I use one stick of butter in this recipe. The butter is mixed until fluffy and so it does not matter if you start with a whole stick or chopped up butter. I hope this helps!

  3. I make this by melting the butter and garlic in pan then place bread over it to soak and then put under the broiler. Sooo delicious!5 stars

  4. I tried the recipe without the cheese, with different kind of cheese like grated cheddar, cream cheese, and cream cheese with sour cream. Husband and my kids ages 12,9,7 and 2 loved them all specially with cream cheese. Very easy and yummy recipe definitely will be included in their snack boxes as they request! Thank you for this delicious home made recipe. No more ordering at a restaurant.5 stars

    1. That sounds delicious, thanks for sharing! We will have to try it with cream cheese.

  5. Very good. I like my garlic bread crispy so I broiled it the last 2-3 minutes. It was so much cheaper and better than what you get from a box!5 stars

  6. This was a giant hit at my Mother’s Day lunch yesterday. Thank you for sharing the recipe.5 stars

  7. This was very simple and a hit with everyone from toddler, to teen to the college kiddos! I used oregano, parsley, vegan butter and added garlic powder and onion powder. I didn’t wrap it in foil but as soon as it browned slightly around the edges I took it out. This gave a nice crunch while keeping the bread soft. Try it out!5 stars

  8. in order to freeze this garlic bread, do I first bake the bread, then freeze and reheat at 300 degrees? Or spread butter mixture on bread and freeze before baking?

    1. Hi Sylvia, you will still cook it at the same temperature just place the two halves back together and wrap in foil before popping in the oven.

  9. I forgot to buy frozen garlic bread so I quickly needed a recipe for the 8 small pieces of Italian bread I had. This was so easy and so delicious! I quartered the recipe and baked it in the toaster oven. I see no reason to buy frozen garlic bread again!

  10. This is the one to make.Garlicky and delicious.I did include the grated cheese on top.My husband almost ate the whole loaf.So good.

      1. I want to make this with roasted garlic. Do I add it to the chopped raw, and how much of the roasted should I use?

      2. Depending on how garlicky you want your garlic bread I would still use approximately 4 cloves of garlic Liz. Enjoy!