5 Minute Garlic Bread Recipe

This 5 minute garlic bread is super easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of your time!

Original post: June 2019 | Updated: February 2023

Why This Recipe Works

• This easy garlic bread recipe is the ultimate side dish that can literally be served with any type of meal on the planet.
• It is so easy to throw together, using minimal ingredients and taking a total of 2 minutes of cook time.
• Using my broiler to make this quick garlic bread is the perfect way to make the baking process go super fast.
• The best part is that it’s one of those 5-minute recipes that is also affordable to shop for.
• It can be served as an appetizer or snack, in addition to a side dish.

Recipe Ingredients

French bread – Use a serrated sharp knife to cut a 12-inch loaf of French bread or a French baguette lengthwise (or any soft bread) and then into thick slices after baking.

Butter – For a more salty end result, use salted butter. For a greater depth of flavor, replace 1/4 cup of the softened butter with olive oil. If using unsalted butter, you may need to add a pinch of salt to the mixture.

Garlic – Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder (hello strong garlic flavor in the best way!) to the butter before brushing onto the bread, in addition to the minced garlic. 

Fresh herbs – Consider topping with fresh parsley, fresh rosemary, thyme or chives before roasting for great flavors and to take this simple side to a whole new level. Add a variety of fresh herbs to your garlic bread or add 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning to the butter mixture for added flavor.

How To Make 5-Minute Garlic Bread

Step 1

Preheat oven to broiling and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut a 12-inch loaf of French bread in half lengthwise. Place the bread, cut sides up, onto the prepared baking sheet.ine a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup melted butter and 3 fresh garlic cloves (minced or pressed) and stir the mixture. Drizzle over the bread cut side up, then spread to edges using a pastry brush.

Sprinkle the top of the garlic bread with chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley (or herbs of your choice) and roast in the preheated oven for 2 minutes, or until golden brown. Cut into 2-inch pieces and serve!

Easy Side Dishes

Don’t stop with garlic bread! Check out a few of these favorite easy sides:

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes taste better than regular french fries and are a great healthy side option!
• This delicious Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples dish is versatile and easy to prepare.
• Replace rice with this veggie-packed Cauliflower Mushroom Rice side dish that is prepared in just 15 minutes! This is a great recipe to accompany any meal.
• Take hash browns out of the freezer and throw them into your air fryer for an ideal breakfast side or dinner side dish. These air fryer hash browns are so easy.

Recipe Notes

• Using your oven’s broiler makes the bread prone to burning because broiling temps are very hot. Keep a very close eye on the bread while roasting to avoid burning it. If you want to err on the safe side, you can also bake the bread at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes, or until it is golden brown. The bake time will vary depending on how hot your oven is.
• For crispier garlic bread, start with any crusty bread.
• To create cheesy garlic bread, you have a few options. 1. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the garlic butter mixture, or 2. Sprinkle shredded Mozzarella over the tops before placing in the oven.
• Turn up the flavor even more by making roasted garlic butter! Roast garlic heads at 375 degrees for 40 minutes to create roasted garlic cloves. Press garlic bulbs and combine them with the melted butter to spread over top of the bread.
• To make garlic bread sticks, simply cut each half of bread down the middle lengthwise after cooking and break into smaller pieces from there.
• Spice up your bread by adding black pepper, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the butter mixture.
• In a pinch, if you want to make a batch of this bread but you don’t have a loaf of French bread on hand, use any other type of bread!

What To Serve With Garlic Bread

Literally any meal with be tastier with a piece of garlic bread, especially pasta dishes. If you want specific ideas, start with these comfort food recipes:

• Shepherd’s Pie
• Beef Stroganoff
• Chicken Alfredo
• Ravioli
• Chili or any hearty stew or soup

How To Make Garlic Bread From Bread

Prepare the mixture according to the recipe directions and brush over any type of bread you have on hand, whether store bought or homemade. The thinner the bread the soggier it may get, so keep that in mind.

How To Store Garlic Bread

If you have leftovers, place garlic bread pieces in a sealed plastic bag, plastic wrap or an airtight container and store at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How To Freeze Garlic Bread

Garlic bread can be frozen! Place in a heavy-duty freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 4 months for best results.

How To Reheat Garlic Bread

• Oven: Wrap leftover garlic bread in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through, approximately 10 minutes.
• Microwave: Be very careful not to cook for too long or the bread will become hard and inedible. Place the bread on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Heat for 20 seconds, flip and heat for 20 more seconds. Continue heating in 10-second increments thereafter, if desired.

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