Description
Homemade garlic bread brings rustic Italian comfort right to your kitchen table. Crisp edges, buttery center, and aromatic garlic create a simple side dish you’ll crave with every meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons (7 grams) fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Spices:
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing for a delectable bread transformation.
- Slice bread horizontally, creating two symmetrical halves for maximum garlic butter coverage.
- Combine softened butter with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until smooth and uniform.
- Generously coat bread’s interior surface with the aromatic garlic butter mixture, ensuring complete and even distribution.
- Lavishly sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across buttered bread surfaces, creating a rich and decadent layer.
- Optional: Garnish cheese layer with fresh chopped parsley for vibrant color and subtle herbal notes.
- Transfer bread to oven and bake 15-20 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and fully melted, bubbling cheese.
- Remove from oven and allow brief cooling period to set cheese and prevent burning.
- Slice into manageable portions and serve while warm, revealing the irresistible melted cheese and fragrant garlic interior.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice lovers or those who prefer mild flavors.
- Choose high-quality bread like sourdough or French baguette for extra crunch and richer taste experience.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free bread and checking cheese ingredients for potential gluten contamination.
- Make it vegan by substituting dairy butter with plant-based butter and using dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg