Description
This crispy, golden bread is topped with a flavorful mixture of garlic, butter, and Italian herbs. Baked to perfection, it’s the ultimate side dish for pasta or a satisfying snack all on its own.
Ingredients
For the Italian Garlic Bread:
- 1 loaf of Italian bread (or baguette)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup olive oil for a lighter version)
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced (adjust based on your garlic preference)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional, or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for an extra cheesy touch)
Instructions
Start by softening the butter if it’s not already. If you are using a mixture of butter and olive oil, combine them in a mixing bowl. Then, mince the garlic finely and add it to the bowl. The more finely you mince the garlic, the more evenly it will distribute throughout the bread.
To the garlic and butter mixture, add the fresh parsley, basil (if using), dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the garlic is evenly distributed in the butter and the herbs are well incorporated. If you prefer a cheesier flavor, you can also stir in grated Parmesan cheese at this stage.
Use a sharp serrated knife to slice the loaf of Italian bread. For classic garlic bread, cut the loaf into 1 to 1.5-inch slices. Be sure to slice through the entire loaf without cutting all the way through the bottom of the bread, so the slices stay connected. Alternatively, you can slice the bread all the way through for individual pieces of garlic bread.
If you’re using a baguette, simply slice it into 8-10 pieces, depending on the length of the baguette. You can also slice it on the diagonal for more generous portions.
Using a pastry brush or a butter knife, spread the prepared garlic butter mixture generously on each slice of bread. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the bread, ensuring that the garlic and herbs are evenly distributed on every slice.
If you’ve left the bread in whole pieces (i.e., not fully sliced), make sure to spread the butter mixture in between the slices. This will ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
Place the buttered bread slices on a baking sheet. If you’ve kept the slices connected, you can lay the loaf flat on the baking sheet. If you’ve sliced the bread completely, arrange the slices in a single layer with a little space between them.
If you’d like to add extra Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it generously over the top of the buttered slices at this stage. The cheese will melt and form a deliciously crispy crust as it bakes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the oven has reached the desired temperature, place the baking sheet with the garlic bread in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the butter has melted into the bread.
If you prefer a crispier top or a bit of a char, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes of baking. Be sure to watch closely to avoid burning the bread.
Once the bread is golden and crispy, remove it from the oven. If you’ve kept the loaf in whole pieces, cut the slices fully through to separate them. Serve the garlic bread hot, either as a side dish or as an appetizer with marinara sauce, pasta dishes, or salads.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 150-200 kcal
- Fat: 8-10g
- Carbohydrates: 18-22g
- Protein: 3-4g