Garlic bread may not be welcome on a first date, but it's perfect at any other time. Popular with both young and old, it's quick and easy to make. Whether you enjoy it as a snack, a side dish, or as part of a meal like halloumi bake with garlic bread, this classic dish is always a winner.
How to make homemade garlic bread
Whipping up some garlic bread takes mere minutes. Here's what to do for a basic garlic bread recipe:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Crush three cloves of garlic and mix with approximately 100g of softened butter. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Slice a baguette into even pieces. Don't slice all the way through — the slices should still be attached at the base.
- Stuff the butter mixture evenly in the gaps between the slices. Wrap the baguette in tin foil.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, then serve.
Kitchen tip: If you’ve got the time, wrap your garlic butter tightly in cling film, roll it into a sausage, and leave it in the fridge for an hour or two. This makes it easy to cut, so you can just add a slice to each gap in the baguette.
For a ready-made option, try this garlic bread recipe for convenience.
Add oomph to your favourite garlic bread recipe
We never get bored of homemade garlic bread, but sometimes, it's nice to ring the changes. Try adding finely chopped herbs to the butter. Parsley is a traditional, popular choice, but you might also want to experiment with chives, rosemary, or oregano. Dried chilli flakes will add a real zing but may not be suitable for a family supper.
Pesto is a surprisingly good addition to garlic bread. This garlic bread recipe is practically a whole meal in itself. Just add some salad, and you're ready to go.
Homemade cheesy garlic bread
No, garlic bread doesn’t need cheese, but it will taste even better with a bit of the gooey stuff. Keep it simple and understated by sprinkling parmesan over the top of your bread, or go for something a little more extravagant with cheesy garlic bread.
If you want to compete with takeaway favourites, then mozzarella garlic bread is a real winner. The soft, melted cheese almost turns garlic bread into pizza, but that may not be enough to fulfil your cheesy cravings. For a true cheese feast, mix your favourites: a baguette with cheddar, mozzarella, and Red Leicester is enough to keep any cheese fiend happy.
What to serve with garlic bread
You might think of garlic bread as being Italian. In fact, it's not common over there, but it still tastes great as a starter with pasta, pizza, or your other favourite Italian recipes.
Don’t stop there, though — there are plenty of dinner ideas that are livened up with garlic bread as a starter or side. Use it to mop up the juices of chilli con carne or dip it in hot tomato soup for a warming winter meal.
Other ways to use homemade garlic butter
One of the best parts of making homemade garlic bread is having extra garlic butter left over. Garlic butter is a welcome addition to many different meals. Store it in the fridge, tightly wrapped in cling film, for up to a week. You can simply cut a little off a little at a time for use in different dishes.
Here are some creative ways to use it:
- Toss it through pasta for a quick and easy midweek meal.
- Smear it onto a jacket potato (cheese and beans optional but highly recommended).
- Use it as a topping for steak, salmon fillets, or chicken breasts.
- Lightly sauté prawns in garlic butter for a delicious classic.
- For something indulgent, make homemade chicken Kyiv by wrapping thinly pounded chicken breasts around fingers of garlic butter, then coating them in breadcrumbs and frying them until golden brown.
- Vegetarians can enjoy garlic butter too — it pairs well with asparagus, green beans, or portobello mushrooms.
For those looking for a more balanced approach to meal planning, consider exploring a flexitarian diet, which offers a mix of plant-based and meat-inclusive options.
Garlic Bread FAQs
How long do you cook homemade garlic bread?
It takes about 10-15 minutes to bake garlic bread at 180°C. Cook it for 10 minutes if you’ve just used garlic butter, but add a couple of extra minutes to melt any cheese.
How can you make garlic bread without butter?
Try mixing crushed garlic and herbs with good-quality olive oil. This won’t work with the traditional sliced baguette, so drizzle it over thick pieces of ciabatta for a more Italian version.
Is it better to use garlic salt or garlic powder for garlic bread?
Use fresh garlic, as neither garlic salt nor garlic powder will give your bread the flavour you’re craving. If you’re short on time, try using convenience products. Ready-chopped garlic can be bought frozen or in jars.
How long can homemade garlic butter last?
Wrap your homemade garlic butter tightly, and it’ll keep for up to a week in the fridge. You can also freeze it for three months.
What is the secret to moist homemade bread?
Here’s a chef’s tip: put a pan of water at the bottom of the oven. This will fill the oven with steam, giving your bread a lighter, moister finish.