This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
This easy garlic bread spread is buttery and spreadable, exactly what you need for your next side of garlic bread. Make it ahead or even stash it in the freezer if you want to.
Ingredient notes
- Butter: Cold butter usually softens up in about 30 minutes when left out at room temperature. To soften butter in the microwave, cut each stick of butter in half, unwrap, and place on a microwave safe plate. Then cook the butter at 10% power for 1 minute, then gently press on the butter with your finger. If it’s still too firm, cook for another 40 seconds at 10% power.
- Olive oil: Because it has a higher smoke point than butter, the olive oil helps the spread brown without burning. It also helps the mixture be more spreadable.
- Garlic powder: Add garlic flavor without burning the raw cloves. Since it’s already finely-ground, it incorporates easily and evenly into the butter mixture. It’s also exactly what mom used to use, and it tastes great!
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together butter, olive oil, garlic powder, and parsley until well combined.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes ¾ cup spread, enough for 1 loaf of garlic bread with (about 12 slices garlic bread with 1 tbsp. spread each).
- Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make ahead: Make this ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days in advance. Or, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- To make garlic bread: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Cut loaf of bread lengthwise and set on prepared baking sheet. Spread half of the butter mixture on each half of bread. Bake until edges turn golden brown, about 20 minutes.
More Italian sides
Italian Recipes
Antipasto Salad
Italian Recipes
Pesto Cheese Bread
Salad Recipes
Italian Pasta Salad
Bread Recipes
Focaccia
Join Us
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for our latest recipes! Tag all your glorious creations #culinaryhill so we can eat vicariously through you.
Garlic Bread Spread
This easy garlic bread spread is buttery and spreadable, exactly what you need for your next side of garlic bread. Make it ahead or even stash it in the freezer if you want to.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened (see note 1)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (see note 2)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder (see note 3)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together butter, olive oil, garlic powder, and parsley until well combined.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Butter: Cold butter usually softens up in about 30 minutes when left out at room temperature. To soften butter in the microwave, cut each stick of butter in half, unwrap, and place on a microwave safe plate. Then cook the butter at 10% power for 1 minute, then gently press on the butter with your finger. If it’s still too firm, cook for another 40 seconds at 10% power.
- Olive oil: Because it has a higher smoke point than butter, the olive oil helps the spread brown without burning. It also helps the mixture be more spreadable.
- Garlic powder: Add garlic flavor without burning the raw cloves. Since it’s already finely-ground, it incorporates easily and evenly into the butter mixture. It’s also exactly what mom used to use, and it tastes great!
- Yield: This recipe makes ¾ cup spread, enough for 1 loaf of garlic bread with (about 12 slices garlic bread with 1 tbsp. spread each).
- Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make ahead: Make this ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days in advance. Or, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- To make garlic bread: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Cut loaf of bread lengthwise and set on prepared baking sheet. Spread half of the butter mixture on each half of bread. Bake until edges turn golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tbspCalories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 264IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
Hi Matthew! I use salted butter for everything, even most baking recipes. That’s what I buy and keep on hand. You can absolutely use unsalted butter here especially if you’re concerned about sodium content. You’ll just want to salt it to taste so it’s not under-seasoned. Thank you! -Meggan
I rarely leave a review but I liked this spread so much that I wanted to give one. We put this on Costco’s rustic country bread.
Thank you so much, RoseR! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! – Meggan
The spread was quick, easy and delicious.
I’m so glad you loved it, Norma! Take care! – Meggan
I love the combination of butter and olive oil preferring that over either one by itself. I used your recipe, adding some parmesan cheese and did it over a pan of grands biscuits. It was delcious! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Jimmy B, thank you so much for your comment. Glad you loved it! – Meggan
Very easy to make and tastes great
Thank you, Ashley! Glad you enjoyed it! – Meggan
Could you use garlic salt instead of garlic powder ?
Hi Emily, I haven’t tried this but I don’t see why not. It’ll change the flavor a bit but it should still taste great! – Meggan