Aromatic, garlicky, herby, buttery bread straight from the oven — yes please. Homemade Garlic Bread is simple to make and delivers a crunchy, delicious side in under half an hour. This easy version is perfect when you want something quick but special to serve alongside family favourites like lasagne or spaghetti bolognese.
For a long time I treated garlic bread as an afterthought — something from the freezer to bulk out a meal. Once I started making it from scratch, though, I realised how outrageously easy and satisfying it is. Warm bread, soft and buttery on the inside with a crisp, golden crust, fragrant with fresh garlic and parsley: it’s a simple dish that feels indulgent.
I usually make this in the oven, but it also works beautifully in an air fryer; notes for the air fryer method are included below. For the best flavour use fresh garlic rather than granules. If you want to turn this into cheesy garlic bread, simply stir grated mozzarella into the butter mixture before spreading it into the loaf.
To keep the interior soft and buttery, wrap the prepared baguette in foil for most of the cooking time, then unwrap it for the final few minutes to achieve the golden, crunchy crust that makes garlic bread so irresistible.
Why you’ll love this easy Garlic Bread recipe
⭐️ Healthier than many shop-bought alternatives
⭐️ A simple but special side dish that complements many meals
⭐️ Tastes and smells amazing — fresh garlic and herbs make all the difference
Notes from the cook
This recipe uses a bought baguette for convenience — it’s what I normally have time for, and it keeps the method quick. If you want to make everything from scratch, the garlic butter works equally well with a homemade loaf.
It’s a wonderfully versatile side: perfect for barbecues, weekend dinners or speedy weeknight meals. If you have a baguette to hand, you can usually whip up garlic bread while other dishes are cooking.
This garlic bread pairs well with rich vegetable dishes, baked casseroles and classic Italian-style mains — its warm, buttery flavour helps round out the plate.
Homemade Garlic Bread Ingredients
- Baguette – Choose a large one, roughly 400g/14oz.
- Salted butter – Softened to room temperature.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh cloves, peeled and finely grated for the best flavour.
- Parsley – Fresh and finely chopped.
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – To taste; season generously.
- Optional – Cheesy Garlic Bread – 100g (about 1 cup) grated mozzarella mixed into the butter for a melty, cheesy version.
How to make Garlic Bread
1. Make the garlic butter: Combine the softened butter, grated garlic, chopped parsley and a few grinds of black pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined and smooth.
2. Prepare the baguette: Cut the baguette into thick slices without cutting all the way through — leave the base intact so the loaf holds together.
3. Fill the slices: Generously spread the herby garlic butter between each slice. If there’s any butter left, spread it over the top of the baguette. For cheesy garlic bread, fold in the grated mozzarella before spreading.
4. Cook: Wrap the prepared loaf loosely in foil. Bake in a preheated oven or air fryer following the timings below, then open the foil for the final minutes to crisp the crust.
For the air fryer method, see the recipe instructions below.
Leftovers & Storage
You can prepare the garlic butter and assemble the baguette ahead of time. Keep the prepared, unbaked baguette wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, bake as directed.
Freshly baked garlic bread is best on the day it’s made. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and consumed within 1 day. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.
Recipe Tips
Fresh garlic is essential
Fresh garlic delivers a bright, punchy flavour that really lifts the bread. Grating the garlic finely distributes flavour evenly through the butter.
Get a salty, crispy finish
For a little extra crunch and flavour, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top of the baguette before the final crisping step.
Wrap then unwrap
Wrapping the bread in foil ensures the interior stays soft and buttery. Unwrapping for the last few minutes of cooking creates the crisp golden crust everyone loves.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Stir 100g (about 1 cup) grated mozzarella into the garlic butter before spreading. The cheese melts into the slices for a gooey, indulgent version.
More tasty side dishes…
Side Dishes
Classic Potato Salad
Side Dishes
Classic Coleslaw
Side Dishes
Fresh Salsa
Side Dishes
Easiest Ever Homemade Oven Chips
FAQs
The key is the final few minutes of cooking. After baking the wrapped baguette for about 10 minutes, open the foil and bake for another 4–5 minutes to develop a crunchy, golden crust while keeping the inside soft and buttery.
If you try this garlic bread, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Your feedback helps refine recipes and inspires new ideas in the kitchen.
Share your photos on social media or keep a note of any adjustments you made — small tweaks like adding extra herbs, swapping parsley for basil, or adding a squeeze of lemon can all subtly change the flavour to suit your tastes.
Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large baguette (about 400g/14oz)
- 100g (4 oz) salted butter, softened
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely grated
- 15g (1/4 cup) fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: 200°C fan / 220°C / 425°F / Gas Mark 7.
- Make the butter: In a bowl, mix the softened butter with grated garlic, chopped parsley and a few grinds of black pepper.
- Slice the bread: Cut the baguette into thick slices without cutting all the way through; keep the base intact so the loaf stays together.
- Spread the butter: Generously spread the garlic butter between each slice, then spread any remaining butter over the top of the loaf.
- Wrap in foil: Wrap the loaf loosely in foil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Unwrap for crunch: Open the foil and bake for another 4–5 minutes until golden and crisp.
Air Fryer Method:
- Heat the air fryer to 180°C / 350°F.
- Place the prepared and wrapped garlic bread into the basket. If needed, cut the baguette in half and make two foil parcels to fit.
- Air fry for 6–7 minutes, then open the foil and cook for another 2–3 minutes until crispy and golden.
Did you make this recipe? Click to leave feedback or note any variations — your experience helps others and improves the recipe.
Notes
For Cheesy Garlic Bread: Mix 100g (about 1 cup) grated mozzarella into the butter before spreading it inside and on top of the baguette.
For extra crunch: Sprinkle the top of the baguette with flaky sea salt before the final crisping step.
Wrap in foil: Wrapping keeps the inside soft and buttery; unwrapping at the end creates the golden crust.
Leftovers/storing: Prepare ahead and keep unbaked, wrapped in foil in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store baked leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guideline.