Description
When you need garlic bread and you need it now, this Easy Garlic Bread is your go-to recipe: made with whatever sliced bread you have on hand and a quick homemade garlic butter…and you don’t even need to preheat the oven!
A double pass under the broiler—first to toast the bread, then to melt the butter—does all the work. The result is perfectly golden-crisp edges, a satisfying chewy bite, and bold garlic flavor in every piece.
Simple, scrappy, and ready in just 10 minutes, it’s the best last-minute side dish for pasta, soup, salad, or whenever a garlic bread craving strikes!
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough bread (about ½ one small boule), sliced 1-inch thick (see Recipe Notes)
- 2 tablespoons very soft unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- heaping ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- heaping ¼ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- optional: 2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
- optional: 1 tablespoon finely chopped leafy fresh herbs (e.g. basil, parsley, oregano, etc.)
- optional: 1 cup shredded melty cheese of choice (e.g. mozzarella, fontina, asiago, etc.)
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
Method Overview:
Position rack in top third of oven. Broil sliced bread 2-3 minutes per side. Mix the garlic butter (garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, S&P, plus any optional add-ins). Flip so the side toasted first faces up, spread with garlic butter (top with optional shredded cheese if desired), and broil 1-3 minutes more until melted and fragrant.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Quick Note: Prep and cook time overlap, so there’s no need to mise everything out before you start. You can mix the garlic butter while the bread toasts.
- Prep: Turn on your oven’s broiler to its highest setting, ensuring a rack is positioned in the top third of the oven. Line a small baking sheet with parchment or foil for easy clean up.
- Toast the bread under the broiler: Arrange the sliced bread on the prepared baking sheet. Broil 2-3 minutes per side, just until toasty and golden. Watch closely – broilers vary and the bread can burn quickly.
- Meanwhile, mix the quick garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, chopped garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and optional add-ins (grated parmesan cheese, fresh herbs). Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Mix to combine well.
- Prepare and finish the garlic bread: Once both sides of the bread are nicely toasted, carefully flip the bread so the side that was toasted first is facing up. Spread the prepared garlic butter evenly over that side.* Return to the oven and broil 1-3 minutes longer, until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant. (*For easy cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle shredded cheese over the butter before returning to the oven, then broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.)
- Serve immediately with your favorite pastas, soups, or salads. Enjoy!
Notes
- Bread Choice: I love making garlic bread with sourdough. Its natural tang balances the richness of garlic butter nicely, and its sturdy texture holds up beautifully under the broiler. I prefer slightly thicker slices (about 1 inch) cut from a bakery loaf because they give you crisp edges with a soft center. That said, this method works with any sliced bread you have on hand—including Italian, French, whole wheat, and standard sandwich bread—just reduce the broiling time slightly since thinner slices toast faster.
- Optional Add-Ins: This recipe is meant to be quick and pantry-friendly, so the base garlic butter is simple by design and plenty flavorful on its own. If you happen to have grated parmesan, fresh herbs, or shredded cheese on hand, feel free to add them!