How to Make Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is simply delicious and can be served with soups, meats, pasta and many other dishes. You can choose between the buttered and olive oil versions of the bread. While some prefer to make the bread dough from scratch, purchasing the bread from your local bakery is easier and time-saving. Learn how to make garlic bread and surprise family and guests at your next dinner.

What You Need to Make Garlic Bread

To start making garlic bread, make sure you either have a baguette or loaf of Italian bread. If you’re making the buttered version, get 7 ounces of butter, 2 teaspoons of crushed garlic, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley and salt for seasoning. If you want to learn how to make garlic bread without butter, get 2 garlic cloves, garlic powder and olive oil.

How to Make Garlic Bread with Butter

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees or 325F.

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, parsley and salt. Combine well.

Step 3: Cut your bread diagonally and into thick 1-inch slices. Do not cut the bread all the way through.

Step 4: Spread each slice with garlic butter gently with a knife. Spread a little butter on top of the loaf as well.

Step 5: Wrap the bread in foil and seal all openings tightly. Bake on each side for 10 minutes with bread placed in the middle of the oven. Remove from heat and serve or refrigerate.

How to Make Garlic Bread with Olive Oil

Step 1: Preheat oven to 175 degrees or 325F.

Step 2: Combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 cloves of crushed garlic into a bowl.

Step 3: Cut bread into slices as instructed above and distribute the garlic oil mixture evenly on each slice. Brush the top of bread with the garlic oil.

Step 4: Lightly sprinkle garlic powder on the surface of bread. Bake uncovered until the bread is brown and crispy for approximately 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

You can make either version of garlic bread more flavorful. Try adding fresh herbs and pepper into the garlic butter mixture or garlic oil before spreading. Another great taste tip is to add a thin layer of parmesan cheese over the garlic butter or oil. Use about two teaspoons of butter on each slice to avoid caking it. Too much butter can make it soggy and add unnecessary calories. If you have leftover butter, refrigerate to use in future.

The olive oil recipe is healthier than the buttered version. It contains fewer calories and contains unsaturated fats that are good for cardiovascular health. Most sticks of store-bought butter have saturated fat which can increase cholesterol. If you prefer the taste of butter, you can always choose one with the lowest fat content and one infused with omega fatty acids.

With less than 5 ingredients, you can learn how to make garlic bread that is fresh, flavorful and soft. Although replacing butter with olive oil is the healthier option, you can easily find butter that is lower in fat to reduce calories and cholesterol. Make a few loaves, store in the fridge and enjoy a slice or two with your favorite dishes.

Check out these garlic bread recipes: