Garlic Bread Classic Side (Printable)
Crusty bread enriched with garlic butter, baked until golden and fragrant for a tasty side.
# What's Needed:
→ Bread
01 - 1 large baguette or Italian loaf
→ Garlic Butter
02 - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Topping
07 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# How to Make It:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Slice the loaf lengthwise into two halves and place them cut side up on the baking sheet.
03 - In a mixing bowl, blend softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth.
04 - Evenly spread the garlic butter over the cut surfaces of both bread halves.
05 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly atop the buttered bread if desired.
06 - Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges turn crisp and golden brown.
07 - Broil for 1 to 2 minutes more for extra crunch, watching closely to prevent burning.
08 - Remove from oven, cut into slices, and serve warm.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- It's ready faster than takeout and tastes infinitely better than anything frozen.
- The garlic butter stays soft inside while the edges turn crispy, which honestly feels like a small kitchen miracle.
- Everyone asks for the recipe, and you'll love saying you made it yourself.
02 -
- Don't use cold butter straight from the fridge—it'll tear the bread and refuse to spread smoothly, which I learned the hard way.
- Mince your garlic fine enough that it disappears into the butter; chunky garlic can burn and turn bitter.
03 -
- Make your garlic butter ahead and store it in the fridge—it actually develops better flavor after a day, and assembly becomes instant.
- Broiling for that final minute of extra crispiness transforms the texture from simply good to genuinely crave-worthy, but seriously watch it every second.