Roasted Garlic Garlic Bread

Ingredients

• 2 large bulbsroasted garlic, peeled and mashed into a paste (or 5–6 large garlic cloves, grated)
• 170 g (1½ sticks; ¾ cup)unsalted butter, fully softened to room temperature
• 15 ml (1 tbsp)good-quality olive oil
• 1 large (a heaped 1 tbsp)spring onion, finely chopped, both white and dark green parts
• 30–60 ml (2–4 tbsp), to tastefreshly grated Parmesan
• 1 heaped tbspfresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 5 ml (1 tsp), more or less to tastehot sauce
• 2.5 ml (½ tsp)kosher salt
• 1 heaped ¼ tspgarlic powder
• A generous pinchblack pepper
• 1 loaf (454 g/16 oz)French baguette, Italian bread or rustic crusty bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the oven

   Set an oven rack in the centre and heat the oven to 190°C. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment if you like, then set it aside.

2. 2

   Mix garlic butter

   Put the roasted garlic paste or grated garlic, softened butter and olive oil in a medium bowl. Mash and stir with a fork or small whisk until evenly combined.

3. 3

   Season the butter

   Mix the spring onion, Parmesan, parsley, hot sauce, salt, garlic powder and black pepper into the garlic butter. Stir and mash until combined, then set aside.

4. 4

   Cut the bread

   Place the loaf on a clean work surface and use a serrated knife to cut it in half horizontally, keeping the halves roughly equal in size. Transfer them to the prepared tray with the cut sides facing up.

5. 5

   Spread the butter

   Use a butter knife or small spatula to spread the garlic butter generously over the cut sides, covering them from edge to edge.

6. 6

   Bake the bread

   Bake in the preheated oven for 6–9 minutes for soft garlic bread. For a crisp result, bake for 10–15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the bread is crisp.

7. 7

   Broil if desired

   For extra crispness, take the bread out and move the oven rack to about 13 cm from the heating element. Set the oven to broil, return the bread and broil for 45 seconds to 2 minutes, until crisp and golden. Watch it closely, as it can burn quickly.

8. 8

   Garnish and slice

   If using, scatter grated Parmesan, fresh herbs and crushed red pepper flakes over the warm bread. Once it is cool enough to handle, cut it into 5–8 cm pieces.

9. 9

   Serve it warm

   Serve the garlic bread warm, with marinara for dipping or alongside your favourite meal.

What is roasted garlic bread?

Garlic bread is a familiar American side, often served with pasta, soup or a hearty dinner. This version starts with a crusty loaf and spreads a seasoned garlic butter over its cut sides before baking.

Roasted garlic: Its mellow, caramelised flavour blends smoothly into butter, while Parmesan, parsley and spring onion add savoury depth and freshness.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 115 calories, 0g protein, 0g carbs, 13g fat.

The bread provides most of the carbohydrates, while butter and olive oil contribute most of the fat; Parmesan adds some protein. Pair a slice with a vegetable-rich soup or salad to make the meal more balanced.

Build a well-mixed garlic butter

Soft butter: Let it come fully to room temperature so it mashes easily with the garlic and oil. If it is still firm, the mixture may be harder to spread evenly.

Seasoning: Stir the herbs, cheese and seasonings through the butter until they are distributed throughout, rather than leaving concentrated pockets.

Choose the garlic that suits you

Roasted garlic: Use the specified roasted bulbs, peeled and mashed into a paste, for the recipe’s deep, rounded flavour.

Quick alternative: Grated garlic cloves can stand in for the roasted garlic. Their flavour is sharper, so mix them thoroughly into the butter.

Spread to the edges

Cut sides: Keep the loaf halves facing upwards on the tray and spread the butter right to their edges. This helps the whole surface toast rather than leaving a dry border.

Even coverage: A small spatula or butter knife makes it easier to distribute the mixture without tearing the bread.

Pick your texture

Soft bread: Bake for 6–9 minutes, then check whether the butter has melted into the surface to your liking.

Crisp bread: Bake for 10–15 minutes, looking for lightly golden edges and a crisp surface. For still more colour, broil for 45 seconds to 2 minutes, watching closely throughout.

Serve it alongside dinner

The bread works well with tomato soup, bolognese or a holiday meal, as well as with marinara for dipping. Slice it into 5–8 cm pieces once it is comfortable to handle.

Its buttery, savoury topping is rich, so serve it with a meal that also includes vegetables or a fresh salad for contrast.

Recipe notes & tips

• Soften the butter fully before mixing so the garlic paste and seasonings combine smoothly.
• Use a serrated knife to split the loaf cleanly without crushing its crust.
• Spread the butter right to the edges for more even flavour and browning.
• Check the bread at the shorter bake time if you prefer a softer centre.
• Stay by the oven during broiling, as the surface can darken very quickly.
• Let the bread cool just enough to handle before slicing.

Variations

• Use grated garlic: Swap in 5–6 large grated cloves if you do not have roasted garlic.
• Adjust the heat: Use more or less hot sauce to suit your preference.
• Change the cheese: Add Parmesan towards the lower or higher end of the 2–4 tablespoon range.
• Choose another loaf: Use Italian bread or a rustic crusty loaf instead of a French baguette.
• Add a crisp finish: Broil the baked bread briefly, keeping a close eye on it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Cold butter: It is difficult to combine and spread; soften it fully at room temperature first.
• Uneven coverage: Bare patches toast differently; spread the mixture from edge to edge.
• Cutting too soon: Hot bread can be awkward to handle; wait until it is cool enough before slicing.
• Over-broiling: The topping can burn rapidly; check it continuously and remove it as soon as it turns golden.
• Using the crisp timing for soft bread: Bake for 6–9 minutes instead of 10–15 if you want a softer result.

How to store

Refrigerate leftover garlic bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven until warmed through; the bread may soften slightly after storage.

Frequently asked questions