The short answer: for easy homemade garlic bread, mash ½ cup of softened butter with 4 to 6 minced garlic cloves, parsley and salt. Spread it on a halved loaf of Italian or French bread and bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, then broil 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
- Key numbers: 1 loaf · ½ cup (1 stick) butter · 4 to 6 cloves garlic · 400°F · about 15 minutes total · serves 8
- Want it cheesy? Add 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella before baking
- Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or plan pasta night with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
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Prep time: 10 minCook time: 14 minTotal time: 24 minServings: 8 servings
Amounts and times in this garlic bread recipe were checked November 4, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, oven steps, soft and crispy styles, cheesy and air fryer versions, what to serve it with, budget tips and freezing.
Garlic bread ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italian loaf or French baguette | 1 loaf, about 1 pound | Halved lengthwise |
| Salted butter | ½ cup (1 stick), softened | Or unsalted plus ¼ teaspoon salt |
| Fresh garlic | 4 to 6 cloves, minced or grated | Or ½ teaspoon garlic powder |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons, chopped | Or 2 teaspoons dried |
| Grated parmesan | ¼ cup | Optional |
| Red pepper flakes | A pinch | Optional |
| Shredded mozzarella | 1 to 1½ cups | For cheesy garlic bread |
How to make garlic bread in the oven
- Heat the oven. Set it to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Make the garlic butter. Mash the softened butter with the garlic, parsley, parmesan and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Prep the bread. Slice the loaf in half lengthwise and set both halves cut side up.
- Spread. Cover the cut sides edge to edge with the butter so the crust edges crisp too.
- Bake. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the butter melts in and the edges turn golden.
- Broil. Switch to broil for 1 to 2 minutes and watch closely. Slice into thick pieces and serve warm.
Salt tip: salted butter and parmesan both add sodium. The FDA's Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 mg a day, so use unsalted butter if the rest of the meal is salty.
Soft or crispy garlic bread
| Style | How | Time at 400°F |
|---|---|---|
| Crispy, open-faced | Halves cut side up on a sheet | 10 to 12 minutes plus 1 to 2 minutes broil |
| Soft, pull-apart | Slice almost through, butter between slices, wrap in foil | 15 minutes, then 5 unwrapped |
| Garlic toast | Thick slices, buttered on one side | 8 to 10 minutes |
| Texas toast style | Thick sandwich bread on a hot skillet | 2 to 3 minutes per side |
Cheesy and air fryer garlic bread
Cheesy garlic bread: spread the garlic butter, then cover with mozzarella and a little parmesan. Bake as above until the cheese bubbles, then broil to brown the top.
Air fryer garlic bread: cut the loaf into pieces that fit the basket in one layer. Air fry at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes. Add cheese for the last 2 minutes.
More variations
- Garlic bread from sandwich bread, toasted in a skillet
- Herb garlic bread with rosemary and thyme
- Pull-apart garlic bread made from a round sourdough loaf
- Garlic knots made from store-bought pizza dough
What to serve with garlic bread
Garlic bread is the natural side for Italian dinners and soups. Pair it with lasagna, chicken parmesan, carbonara or shrimp alfredo. It is also great for dunking into tomato soup and a pot of chili. For a full week of ideas, browse our pasta recipes and soup recipes. Serve a warm slice alongside homemade spaghetti and meatballs to soak up the sauce.
Garlic bread on a budget
A loaf, a stick of butter and a few cloves of garlic cost less than most frozen garlic bread, and you control the flavor.
- Use day-old bread: slightly stale bread crisps up even better.
- Buy garlic loose: a whole head lasts for several meals. Track the price in a grocery price book.
- Make two loaves: bake one, freeze one for a quick side later.
- Plan the whole meal: our guides to meal planning on a budget and how to grocery shop on a budget show how to build pasta nights around what you have.
Storing and freezing garlic bread
Wrap leftover baked garlic bread in foil and keep it at room temperature for a day, or refrigerate it for longer. USDA's leftovers guidance applies to cheesy versions: refrigerate within 2 hours and eat within 3 to 4 days. Unbaked buttered loaves freeze well. Wrap tightly in foil, then a freezer bag. Food kept at 0°F stays safe indefinitely, and garlic bread tastes best within 3 months. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Plan pasta night and save the recipe
Serve garlic bread with cioppino or alongside fish tacos night sides. For another pizza-style meal without making dough, try French bread pizza with a loaf of bread.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you make garlic bread? Mix ½ cup of softened butter with 4 to 6 minced garlic cloves, parsley and a pinch of salt. Spread it on a halved loaf of Italian or French bread and bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, then broil 1 to 2 minutes to crisp the top.
What is the best bread for garlic bread? A soft Italian loaf or a French baguette works best. Italian bread gives a fluffy center, baguette gives more crunch, and ciabatta, sourdough or thick sliced sandwich bread work in a pinch.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic? Yes, you can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. Use about ½ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of 4 fresh cloves. Fresh garlic tastes sharper and more aromatic, while powder spreads evenly and will not burn under the broiler.
How do you make cheesy garlic bread? Spread the garlic butter on the bread, then top it with 1 to 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella and a little parmesan. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese melts, then broil briefly to brown it.
How long do you bake garlic bread? Bake open-faced garlic bread at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, then broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Wrapped in foil for a soft loaf, bake it 15 minutes, then unwrap for the last 5.
Can you make garlic bread in an air fryer? Yes, you can make garlic bread in an air fryer. Cut the bread to fit the basket, spread on the garlic butter and air fry at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes, until golden and crisp at the edges. Check early because the top browns fast.
Can you freeze garlic bread? Yes, you can freeze garlic bread. Spread the butter, wrap the loaf tightly in foil and freeze it for up to 3 months for best quality. Bake it from frozen at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, unwrapping for the last few minutes.
How do I plan garlic bread into a weekly menu? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. gives you a weekly menu and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so pasta nights and their sides are planned and shopped in one trip.
Where can I save my garlic bread recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages, section dividers and recipe cards, so your favorite garlic butter ratio is always easy to find.
Does HomeBase Paper Co. sell the meal planner and recipe binder as a set? Yes, HomeBase Paper Co. sells the meal planner and recipe binder together in the Family Life Admin Bundle, so meal plans and recipes stay in one system. The Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99, $23.95 bought separately) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes the meal planner, the recipe binder and three more printables for running a busy household.
Sources
- USDA FSIS: Freezing and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- FDA: Sodium in your diet fda.gov