Garlic Bread

No pasta party is complete without Homemade Garlic Bread. In just 25 minutes, you can have a warm, buttery loaf ready to pair with any Italian entree.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings servings (1 slice each)

Calories 197kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread cut in half lengthwise (see note 1)
1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick, see note 2)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder (see note 3)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, olive oil, garlic powder, and parsley until well combined.
Cut loaf of bread lengthwise. Spread half of the butter mixture on each half of bread. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until edges turn golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Video

Notes

French bread: I prefer the light, soft crumb and crusty exterior of a French loaf for Garlic Bread, but if you can only find Italian bread, that will work just fine.
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.
Garlic powder: This spice cabinet staple is made with dried, ground garlic cloves. It's ideal for Garlic Bread and other baked and broiled recipes to add garlic flavor without burning. Since it's already finely-ground, it incorporates easily and evenly into the butter mixture. Plus it's shelf-stable!
Yield: This Garlic Bread recipe makes 12 slices. I generally make enough for two to three per person, so feel free to double or triple this recipe as needed.
Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Make ahead: The garlicky spread can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator. For maximum spreadability, bring to room temperature for 1-2 hours before using.
Freezer: Unbaked garlic bread is ideal for freezing! After you have topped the bread with the garlicky butter spread, place both halves in the freezer until frozen solid. Then, put the two cut sides together, wrap in foil and plastic, and freeze up to 3 months. Bake straight from the freezer in a 425-degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Cheese, please: If desired, top each loaf of Garlic Bread with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese in step 3 (the kind from the green shaker can).

Nutrition