Garlic bread French bread style is super easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes of your time!
Original post: June 2019 | Updated: March 2021
I love easy sides that can literally be served with any type of meal on the planet. I make a version of this garlic bread often for family dinners or even as an easy appetizer for gatherings. It is BEYOND easy to throw together, taking a total of TEN minutes of your time.
What side could be easier than that? Cooking French bread under your oven’s broiler will crisp it perfectly and quickly! I love garlic bread and hope you love this easy recipe as much as we do!
HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BREAD FRENCH BREAD STYLE!
STEP 1
Preheat your oven to broiling and line a 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.
STEP 2
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup melted butter and 3 fresh garlic cloves (minced or pressed) and mix well. Brush over the top sides of the bread. Sprinkle with chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley and broil for 2 minutes, or until golden brown. Cut into 2-inch pieces and serve!
WHAT GOES WITH GARLIC BREAD?
Um, EVERYTHING! Seriously, literally any meal with be tastier with a side of garlic bread. If you want specific ideas, start here:
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Goulash
- Baked Spaghetti
- Lasagna
- Chili
- Baked Ziti
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
DELICIOUS SIDE DISH OPTIONS
Don’t stop with garlic bread! Check out a few of my other favorite easy, healthy sides!
- Enjoy fresh green beans in this Roasted Parmesan Green Beans that uses just 4 ingredients!
- 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!
HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BREAD WITH REGULAR BREAD
Prepare the mixture according to the recipe directions and brush over any type of bread you have on hand. The thinner the bread the soggier it may get, so keep that in mind.
HOW LONG TO BAKE GARLIC BREAD
I love using my broiler to make garlic bread because it is FAST. With that said, it is prone to burning because broiling temps are very hot. Keep a very close eye on the bread while broiling 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.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER GARLIC BREAD
If you have leftovers, place garlic bread pieces in a sealed plastic bag and store at room temperature for up to 4 days. It can be frozen, too! Place in a heavy-duty freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
RECIPE NOTES
- For a touch of cheesiness, there are a few options. Either add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the garlic and butter mixture and/or sprinkle shredded Mozzarella over the tops before broiling.
- For a greater depth of flavor, replace 1/4 cup of the softened butter with olive oil.
- If you are a huge garlic lover like I am, add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (in addition to the minced garlic!) to the butter before brushing onto the bread.
- Add a variety of fresh herbs to your garlic bread (whatever you have on hand!) or add 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning to the butter mixture for added flavor.
- To make garlic bread sticks, simply cut each half of bread down the middle lengthwise after cooking and break into smaller pieces from there.
- 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!
FAQ ABOUT GARLIC BREAD
Garlic bread is typically comprised of a loaf of French bread (cut in half lengthwise) with a butter-garlic mixture spread over top and baked in the oven.
From Wikipedia: “Garlic bread stems from bruschetta, which appeared in Italy around the 15th century, and can be traced back to Ancient Rome.”
Preheat oven to broiling and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a loaf of French bread, cut sides up, onto the prepared baking sheet. Combine melted butter and minced garlic in a small bowl and mix well. Brush over top sides of the French bread. Sprinkle with parsley (or herbs of your choice!) and broil for 2 minutes, or until golden brown.

Garlic Bread French Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread ~12 inches in length, cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp Italian parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to broiling and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bread, cut sides up, onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Combine the butter and garlic in a small bowl and mix well. Brush over top sides of the French bread. Sprinkle with parsley and broil for 2 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
- For a touch of cheesiness, there are a few options. Either add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the garlic and butter mixture and/or sprinkle shredded Mozzarella over the tops before broiling.
- For a greater depth of flavor, replace 1/4 cup of the softened butter with olive oil.
- If you are a huge garlic lover like I am, add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (in addition to the minced garlic!) to the butter before brushing onto the bread.
- Add a variety of fresh herbs to your garlic bread (whatever you have on hand!) or add 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning to the butter mixture for added flavor.
- To make garlic bread sticks, simply cut each half of bread down the middle lengthwise after cooking and break into smaller pieces from there.
- 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!
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