Who can resist the pure joy of homemade garlic bread? It’s the kind of dish that brings back childhood memories of family dinners. Garlic bread has always been one of my “tricks” to elevate a meal. It adds texture and color to a simple lunch salad or grilled dinner. I have perfected this recipe that has crispy edges with a soft interior that melts in your mouth, This, my friends, is not just garlic bread; it’s pure comfort food.
Some might say garlic bread is just a simple side. Pair it with any Italian dish, like bolognese. Use it to upgrade your bruschetta or lunch dish. Garlic bread is the perfect dinner side dish to complement any meal.
Can you tell that I love garlic bread? Do you have a secret ingredient that makes your garlic bread legendary? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Best Garlic Bread
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet with rim
- 1 kitchen tongs
- 1 pastry brush A silicone pastry brush works best
- aluminum foil
- 1 garlic press or chopping knife
- 1 small microwave bowl
- 1 serving platter or basket
- 1 napkin to line platter or basket
Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2-3 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 large baguette
- Maldon salt to taste
- 6 slices provolone cheese(optional)
- 2 teas basil, finely chopped(optional)
- ⅛ teas paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the garlic butter by melting the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in a microwave dish. Add the crushed garlic and heat until butter and garlic are aromatic.
- Make the garlic butter by melting the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in a microwave dish. Add the crushed garlic and heat until butter and garlic are aromatic.
- Brush the garlic butter generously over the bread, making sure to cover the edges.
- Put the buttered sides of the bread together, wrap the entire loaf in aluminum foil, and bake the bread in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until it is heated through.
- Remove the bread from the oven and open the bread on the baking sheet buttered side facing you. If you want a cheesy garlic bread, cut provolone cheese slices in half and put them on the buttered side of bread.
- Set your oven broiler to low. If your broiler has only one setting, set it and put the bread on a lower oven rack in the next step All oven broilers are different so the time may vary.
- Put the bread back in the oven on a higher rack for 3-5 minutes. Watch it carefully, butter burns quickly! Add a couple of minutes at a time as needed until the bread is golden brown with dark brown edges. Remove from oven
- While the bread is hot, sprinkle basil and paprika over garlic bread. Add with Maldon salt to taste. Slice bread and serve in a basket lined with a napkin.
