Garlic bread recipe is a simple but satisfying side dish. Made with fresh bread, butter, garlic and herbs, it’s a perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes or soups. Try it toasted or grilled for a crispy texture and a burst of garlic flavor in every bite.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a type of bread that is usually made by spreading butter or olive oil mixed with minced garlic and herbs on slices of bread, and then toasting or grilling it until it is golden brown and crispy. The bread used can be baguette, Italian bread, or French bread. Garlic bread is a popular side dish, especially with pasta dishes, as well as a snack or appetizer.
There are many variations of garlic bread, some include adding cheese, such as Parmesan or mozzarella, or herbs like parsley or basil. Some recipes call for roasting the garlic first, which gives the bread a sweeter, more mellow flavor, while others call for using raw garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.
Garlic bread is easy to make at home, you can use store-bought bread or make your own bread dough, then add the garlic butter or oil mixture. It’s also a popular item on many Italian and Mediterranean restaurant menus. Garlic bread can be also be served with soups, stews or as a side dish with any kind of meat or fish dishes.
How do you make garlic bread better?
- Use high-quality ingredients: Start with good-quality bread, such as a crusty sourdough or a baguette.
- Use fresh garlic: Fresh garlic has a stronger, more robust flavor than pre-minced garlic or garlic powder.
- Use herbs: Add fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or oregano for added flavor and aroma.
- Use butter: Garlic bread is traditionally made with butter, but you can also use olive oil or a combination of both.
- Experiment with cheese: Add grated Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese on top of the bread before baking, it will give a nice cheesy flavor and a crispy texture.
- Add some heat: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick of heat.
- Toasting: Toast the bread slices before spreading the garlic mixture, this will give a nice crunchy texture and enhance the garlic flavor.
- Mix the butter and garlic well: Make sure the butter and garlic are well mixed together before spreading it on the bread, this will ensure that the garlic flavor is well distributed.
- Add some vegetables: Add some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers or onions to give some extra flavor.
- Serve it warm: Garlic bread is best served warm, so heat it in the oven or on the stovetop before serving.
Is garlic bread and garlic toast the same thing?
Garlic bread and garlic toast are similar, but they are not exactly the same thing.
Garlic bread is typically made by spreading butter or oil mixed with garlic, herbs and sometimes cheese on a loaf of bread, and then baking or grilling the bread. The bread is usually sliced and served warm.
Garlic toast, on the other hand, is made by spreading butter or oil mixed with garlic and sometimes herbs on slices of bread, and then toasting the bread. It’s usually served warm and crispy.
Both are delicious and popular side dishes, but the main difference is that garlic bread is usually baked or grilled, while garlic toast is toasted. Both can be enjoyed on their own or as a side dish to pasta, soups, salads and many other dishes.
What is the best combination for garlic bread?
- Classic garlic bread: A simple combination of butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt.
- Cheesy garlic bread: A combination of butter, minced garlic, parsley, and grated Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese.
- Herb garlic bread: A combination of butter, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme and salt.
- Spicy garlic bread: A combination of butter, minced garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Garlic and olive oil bread: A combination of olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, and salt.
- Garlic and herb butter bread: A combination of herb butter, parsley, and salt.
- Garlic and Parmesan bread: A combination of butter, minced garlic, parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Garlic and Parmesan cheese bread: A combination of butter, minced garlic, parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and Mozzarella cheese.
Is it best to use garlic salt or garlic powder for garlic bread?
Garlic salt is a blend of salt and garlic powder. It can be a convenient option for adding garlic flavor to bread and other dishes, but it can also be quite salty.
Garlic powder is made by dehydrating and then ground garlic cloves. It’s a great option for adding garlic flavor to bread and other dishes, as it’s a pure form of garlic flavor. It’s also less salty than garlic salt.
It’s always a good idea to start with a small amount of either garlic salt or garlic powder, and then add more to taste. This way you can control the amount of garlic flavor and saltiness to your liking.
Another option is to use fresh garlic. This is the best way to get the most intense garlic flavor, it’s also less salty, but it’s more time consuming. Fresh minced garlic can be mixed with butter or oil to spread on bread.
Is garlic bread healthy or not?
Garlic bread can be a tasty and satisfying addition to a meal, but it’s not considered a particularly healthy food. The main ingredients in garlic bread are bread and butter or oil, which are high in calories and saturated fat. Depending on the recipe, it may also contain cheese, which is high in saturated fat and sodium.
If you’re trying to make garlic bread a bit healthier, you can try using whole wheat bread, using less butter or oil, and using herbs or spices instead of cheese to add flavor.
Additionally, serving garlic bread as a side dish or a snack in moderation, as part of a well-balanced diet, can be fine. Eating garlic bread in excess can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact your health.
Overall, while garlic bread is not typically considered a health food, it can still be enjoyed as a treat in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Why is my garlic bread not crispy?
- The bread may be stale: If your bread is stale, it will not become crispy when toasted. Make sure to use fresh bread.
- The bread may be too thick: If the slices of bread are too thick, the inside may not cook fully and become crispy before the outside burns.
- The oven is not hot enough: Garlic bread should be toasted in a hot oven, so if the oven is not hot enough, it will not become crispy.
- The bread is not toasted long enough: Garlic bread should be toasted until golden brown and crispy, so if it’s not toasted for long enough, it will not be crispy.
- The bread was not pre-heated: Preheating the oven and baking sheet or baking tray can make a difference, as it allows the bread to get crispy faster.
- The butter or oil is not evenly spread: If the butter or oil is not evenly spread on the bread, some areas may not become crispy.
- The bread is not placed on a baking sheet or tray: Garlic bread is usually toasted on a baking sheet or tray, which allows the heat to circulate around the bread, helping it to become crispy.
Best Garlic Bread Recipe
Servings: 6 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Calories: 160 Fat: 5.5g
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Spread the butter mixture on the cut sides of the bread.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
- Slice and serve warm.
Nutrition:
Calories: 160
Fat: 5.5g
Carbohydrates: 24.5g
Protein: 4g
Sodium: 390mg
Total sugar: 1.5g
Fiber: 1.5g
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Ingredients
- 1 French baguette
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Spread the butter mixture on the cut sides of the bread.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
- Slice and serve warm.
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