This easy Garlic Bread Spread is cheesy, buttery, and extremely spreadable. Load it up on your favorite bread and you have the perfect garlic bread recipe, a great side dish to any dinner.
For a quick & simple side dish, I love to load this spread onto a loaf of french bread. When I have a little more time, I like to make homemade Parmesan Rosemary Bread or Cheesy Garlic “Cinnamon” Rolls.
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What is the Best Bread for Garlic Bread?
My favorite breads to use are a classic thick Italian/French white loaf, baguette, or ciabatta. The white loaf is more traditional. The baguette is nice for small and crispier slices. Lastly, ciabatta just has a wonderful airy and chewy texture.
You can use whatever bread you have on hand. At the end of the day, garlic bread is hard to mess up!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple - You only need a few basic ingredients to make this spread.
- Cheesy - A little grated parmesan adds so much flavor to the spread.
- Easy side dish - This recipe only takes about 15 minutes to make start to finish. This includes baking the homemade garlic bread! Perfect served with pasta or soup.
- Fresh garlic - Some recipes call for granulated garlic or garlic powder but this recipe uses fresh pressed or finely minced garlic cloves instead. This gives it a much better flavor.
- Butter & oil - This spread has both butter and olive oil in it to ensure the garlic bread does not come out dry after it bakes. The combination not only ensures the bread is moist but they each add a unique flavor. It also makes the mixture more spreadable.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Butter: If you do not have time to leave the butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, place the butter on a plate. Microwave on 50% power for 8 seconds. Flip and repeat.
- Bread: Use whatever bread you prefer. This is enough spread for about 8 ounces of bread depending on how much you use. For a 1 pound (16 ounce) loaf, double the recipe.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Garlic Bread Spread
Quick Overview
- Combine all of the ingredients.
- Spread on french bread & bake.
Step by Step Instructions
Be sure the butter is softened but not melted or it will be difficult to spread.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients.
Step 2: Using the back of a fork, mash until well combined.
Step 3: Spread on bread using a knife or spatula. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if using.
Step 4: Bake for 10-12 minutes and broil for 1-2 to brown the top more if desired. Slice into individual pieces and serve warm.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Warm cheesy garlic bread is the perfect side dish. Serve it with:
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Pasta
- Pink Sauce Pasta
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Dutch Oven Chicken Noodle Soup
- Turkey Lentil Soup
Expert Tips & Variations
- Use high quality ingredients. I love to use Kerrygold butter and freshly grated parmigiano reggiano. Since there are only a few ingredients in this recipe, the flavors will stand out even more. Opt for a freshly baked french loaf from a bakery instead of white pre-sliced sandwich bread.
- Press the garlic. Pressing the garlic ensures there are no large pieces of garlic on the bread. If you do not not have garlic press, use a knife to mince and mash the garlic.
- Use roasted garlic. You can roast or saute the garlic until golden brown and soft for less pungent garlic flavor.
- Add more cheese. Sprinkle freshly grated mozzarella on top of the bread for an even gooey cheese bread. Serve with marinara for dipping.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze the garlic butter for 2-3 months.
Recipe FAQs
You can use more olive or mayo in place of butter, but butter will give you a much better flavor.
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The Best Garlic Bread Spread
Ingredients:
- 1 stick (8 Tablespoons) salted butter, softened to room temperature*
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 ounces (½ cup) parmigiano reggiano, grated
- 7-8 cloves garlic, pressed or minced finely
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- flaky salt, for sprinkling
- 8 ounces french bread, sliced lengthwise for serving*
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients.
- Using the back of a fork, mash until well combined.
- Spread on bread using a knife or spatula. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if using.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes and broil for 1-2 to brown the top more if desired. Slice into individual pieces and serve warm.
Notes:
- Butter: If you do not have time to leave the butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, place the butter on a plate. Microwave on 50% power for 8 seconds. Flip and repeat.
- Bread: Use whatever bread you prefer. This is enough spread for about 8 ounces of bread depending on how much you use. For a 1 pound (16 ounce) loaf, double the recipe.
- Use high quality ingredients. I love to use Kerrygold butter and freshly grated parmigiano reggiano. Since there are only a few ingredients in this recipe, the flavors will stand out even more. Opt for a freshly baked french loaf from a bakery instead of white pre-sliced sandwich bread.
- Press the garlic. Pressing the garlic ensures there are no large pieces of garlic on the bread. If you do not not have garlic press, use a knife to mince and mash the garlic.
- Use roasted garlic. You can roast or saute the garlic until golden brown and soft for less pungent garlic flavor.
- Add more cheese. Sprinkle freshly grated mozzarella on top of the bread for an even gooey cheese bread. Serve with marinara for dipping.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze the garlic butter for 2-3 months.
Awesome! This garlic bread spread is a blast, looks incredibly delicious and yummy! An instant favorite, loved it!
My family inhaled this!! I loved the combo of olive oil and butter---great idea!