Garlic Butter Bread Two Ways Baked or Toasted
Crispy garlic bread with two preparation methods: a classic lengthwise-halved loaf wrapped in foil for soft interiors, or individual thick slices for toasted edges. Buttery, garlicky, and aromatic with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan. Serve warm alongside Italian pasta dishes or as an appetizer. This version offers flexible cooking options to match your texture preference and time constraints.
Ingredients
- 1 pound French bread loaf, whole
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch Italian seasoning
- parsley, fresh
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 2
Combine butter, olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and parsley.
- 3
For baked method: slice bread lengthwise, spread mixture on cut sides, add Parmesan to one half if desired, reassemble, cut into serving pieces, wrap tightly in foil, and bake until heated through.
- 4
For toasted method: slice bread into thick slices, spread mixture on each, add Parmesan if desired, bake until heated through, then broil briefly if needed for golden color.
Tips
Wrap foil tightly when using the baked method to trap steam and keep bread soft; unwrap carefully to avoid burns.
Watch broiler closely during toasting as it can char quickly. Start with 30 seconds and add time in 15-second intervals.
Soften butter at room temperature for easier spreading and even distribution of garlic throughout bread.
Good to Know
Wrapped garlic bread keeps refrigerated up to 3 days. Freeze unbaked wrapped bread up to 1 month; bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes.
Prepare butter mixture up to 1 day ahead. Assemble and wrap unbaked bread up to 8 hours ahead; refrigerate until ready to bake.
Serve immediately while warm. Unwrap foil carefully to avoid steam burns. Pair with pasta, soups, or serve as a standalone appetizer.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip foil wrapping on lengthwise loaves to avoid drying out the interior.
Do not exceed 1 minute under broiler to avoid charring.
Do not use cold hard butter as it will not spread evenly and incorporate poorly with garlic.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the butter mixture 1 day ahead and refrigerate. Assemble and wrap the bread up to 8 hours before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked wrapped loaf for up to 1 month; bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes.
What if I prefer a crunchier texture?
Use the toasted slice method and finish under the broiler for 30-60 seconds for crispy edges. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Reduce foil wrapping time to 5 minutes.
How long does baked garlic bread keep?
Refrigerate wrapped bread up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in foil at 300 degrees for 5 minutes. Freeze cooked bread up to 1 month; thaw and reheat as above.