DIY Garlic Bread in Oven

This is THE best Garlic Bread recipe, perfected by true garlic bread lovers. There’s a double dose of garlic, Parmesan cheese, a hint of pepper, and a preferred brand of butter that stands above the rest.

“Best garlic bread we have ever had!!! I will never buy a frozen garlic loaf again. So easy too.”

—Jennifer

This Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe is the Only One You’ll Ever Need!

My husband and I often joke that we’re a “garlic bread family.” Although, it’s not really a joke, and if we ever had to write some sort of family mission statement, garlic bread might play a pretty important role in that document.

Had a bad day? We’re gonna cure that with garlic bread. Not sure how to round out this meal? Well, that’s a problem that garlic bread can solve. When in doubt? Garlic bread.

I won’t lie – we often buy frozen versions of multiple persuasions – loaves, Texas toast, breadsticks, knots, etc. But when we have a few extra minutes to make a loaf of this homemade garlic bread?

Oh mama, the garlic bread family is never happier. You can trust this recipe because we’ve been perfecting it for a long time. It’s loved by the adults and the 5-year-old alike.

It has a double oomph of garlic from both fresh garlic and garlic powder, plenty of Parmesan cheese, a bit of pepper, and the most important element: the best butter. After testing this with all kinds of butter, we’ve found one brand that stands above the rest, and we’re sharing the details below.

DIY Garlic Bread Ingredients

• French bread – this is the ideal bread for this recipe for garlic bread, and we tell you exactly what to look for at the store below, under “Best Bread for Garlic Bread.”
• butter – We’ve found that salted butter is the best for DIY garlic bread, and Kerrygold brand is, by far, the best choice. It’s a bit more expensive than the store brands, but the higher butterfat content that gives it a creamy texture and makes it super soft and spreadable at room temperature makes it worth it. Use unsalted butter with a pinch of kosher salt if you absolutely have to, but I can’t stress enough that salted butter is really the way to go here.
• garlic – fresh garlic provides the bold, aromatic flavor for the best garlic bread recipe. Garlic in a jar or a tube cannot compete here. Fresh is best! Use a garlic press if you have it, but mincing it up with a knife is also great.
• garlic powder – this boosts the garlic flavor and ensures that every single nook and cranny of the bread has garlic taste.
• Parmesan cheese – this adds a layer of savory, nutty flavor and creates a slight crispy topping.
• parsley – we like how fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness that balances the richness of the butter. But, if you don’t have fresh parsley on hand, see below under “Best Garlic Bread Recipe Variations” for some more options. Or, just skip the herb situation altogether. We won’t tell anyone.
• ground black pepper – not an ingredient in every homemade garlic bread recipe, but it’s in ours because we like the subtle heat it adds.

Best Bread for Garlic Bread

The best bread for this garlic bread recipe is a full loaf of French bread. It’s NOT baguette (which is also, well, French bread), and the subtle difference is surprisingly hard to get right when you order groceries online.

Here in the Midwest, if you’re shopping at Meijer, you’re looking for a loaf at the in-store bakery (“fresh from Meijer”) that is labeled “French Bread (Traditional Style French Bread).”

It’s a one pound (16 ounce) loaf and it’s not as long and skinny as a baguette. It’s shorter, thicker and much softer. It has a more even crumb throughout the bread, unlike the large holes that form inside a baguette. It has a golden brown exterior, but it’s not super crispy. It should be soft when you press it.

How to Make Homemade Garlic Bread

1. MASH. Use a fork to mash together the garlic, softened butter, cheese, parsley, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl until everything is well combined.

2. SPREAD. Cut the bread loaf in half lengthwise and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both halves of the bread.

3. BAKE. Transfer to a preheated oven and bake until golden brown.

4. CUT. Remove the bread from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board, and cut it crosswise into slices.

How Long to Bake Garlic Bread in Oven

In a 400 degree oven, this best garlic bread recipe should take about 12 to 15 minutes. You want to be sure the edges are nice and golden brown, and the butter has fully melted into the bread.

If you prefer extra crispy bread, you can broil it for an additional 1 to 2 minutes at the end, but my family prefers bread that is nice and soft and buttery.

Best Garlic Bread Recipe Variations

• CHIVES – Instead of fresh parsley, use finely chopped fresh chives for a subtle onion flavor.
• DRIED HERBS – If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can use half the amount of dried parsley or dried Italian seasoning (which includes oregano and rosemary for extra flavor).
• EXTRA CHEESY – Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the bread before baking for a decadent twist.
• SPICY – Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a bit of heat.

Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe FAQs