This is the best homemade Garlic Bread recipe! Using only fresh ingredients for ultimate flavor, and it’s so easy that you’ll want to make it every day. Make-Ahead and Freezer instructions included so dinner time is even easier.

Best Garlic Bread Recipe

Both my kids love this homemade garlic bread so much so that they request it every day, and if an entire week goes by without me making it, there’s some serious complaining.

What makes this garlic bread so great? All the ingredients are fresh! Fresh garlic, fresh parsley, freshly grated Parmesan, real butter, and a beautiful loaf of French bread from the market bakery.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with garlic powder, dried herbs, and Parmesan that comes in a container. I’m all for shortcuts. But not with homemade garlic bread. If you want the absolute best flavor, go with fresh. This recipe is still so easy to make, since prepping the ingredients only takes 5 minutes. The end result is so worth it.

Ingredients Needed

You only need a few simple ingredients for this garlic bread recipe, so each ingredient is pretty important.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Bread: French bread is the ideal choice for the bread because it delivers a crispy outside and soft inside after baking. It has those perfect nooks and crannies for soaking up that magical buttery spread, without getting soggy.
• Parmesan cheese: Skip the pre-grated stuff in the container and opt for freshly grated. The difference in flavor is night and day here.
• Butter: You can use salted or unsalted, depending how salty you want the overall taste. We use unsalted, since the Parmesan cheese has plenty of salt. If using salted butter, omit the additional salt listed in the recipe. Either way, make sure it’s softened to room temperature before mixing your ingredients.
• Garlic: Fresh is a must in our humble opinion. You won’t get nearly the same great flavor from a powder.
• Parsley: This fresh herb lends subtle flavor and a nice pop of color.
• Seasonings: Kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne.

How to Make Garlic Bread

This easy garlic bread comes together in minutes. Here’s a brief summary:
(Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details and don’t miss the video below.)

1. Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise.
2. Mix together the butter, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, and seasonings until thoroughly combined and smooth.
3. Spread the cut sides of bread with the garlic-butter mixture.
4. Bake until the bread is golden and the edges are toasted.
5. Slice into pieces and serve.

Video: Homemade Garlic Bread

How To Store Garlic Bread

Believe it or not, baked garlic bread is actually best stored at room temperature – refrigerating leftovers dries it out and makes it a chore to bite into.

• Storing leftovers. After it bakes, slice it and allow to cool completely. Then transfer the slices to an airtight resealable plastic bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and store on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days.
• How to reheat garlic bread: wrap leftover bread halves or slices in foil (in a single layer) and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Freezer. If you don’t finish all the baked bread within a few days, you can freeze it. Double wrap the slices in plastic wrap, then in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to use, remove foil and plastic wrap and place bread on a baking sheet. Transfer to a 300 degree F preheated oven for 20 minutes or so, until warmed through.

Make Ahead and Freeze

This recipe literally takes minutes to put together, but sometimes it’s so nice to have one less side dish to think about at the end of the day. I mean, anything to make mealtime easier, right?

• To Make the Butter Spread in advance: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or mound the spread onto a piece of plastic wrap and tightly seal; transfer to a freezer safe bag, removing as much air as possible, and store in the freeze for up to 1 month.
• To Prep and Freeze the Garlic Bread (pre-baking): Follow the recipe (below) through spreading the butter mixture onto the bread slices. Then lay both sides of the bread on a cookie sheet (butter side up), and place in the freezer for about 45 minutes. Remove from freezer and put both halves together, butter side facing each other. Wrap thoroughly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. If I can remember, I’ll thaw it in the refrigerator the night before I need it, and bake per recipe instructions. If not, bake from frozen (without thawing) 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or so, until warmed through.

What Goes with Garlic Bread

I could, and have, made a meal out of the garlic bread alone, but it definitely pairs perfectly with chili and tomato soup, and it’s great for dipping into homemade spaghetti sauce. I can’t think of a time when homemade garlic bread didn’t make a meal better!

More Bread Recipes:

• Sandwich Bread
• Pizza Dough
• Naan Bread
• Cheese Zombies
• Challah
• Focaccia

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!