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Garlic bread

A crusty baguette sliced and filled with garlic-parsley butter, baked soft inside and crisp outside.

20 min 8 min hands-on Serves 4 Italian Kid friendly

Garlic bread is crusty bread spread with garlic butter and baked until golden and fragrant. Simple as it is, the balance of garlic, butter, and a crisp crust makes it irresistible. It is the perfect partner to pasta or soup and takes minutes to put together.

Ingredients

  • 100 g butter, unsalted, softened (skip the salt flakes if yours is salted)
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 small bunch parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 pinch sea salt flakes
  • 1 baguette, or a ciabatta

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Take the butter out of the fridge ahead if you can; it needs to be soft enough to spread without tearing the bread. Finely grate the garlic and chop the parsley.
  2. Mash the butter with the garlic, parsley and the salt in a bowl until evenly speckled green. The raw garlic mellows as it bakes, so four cloves is not too many.
  3. Cut the baguette into slices 2cm apart, stopping just short of the base so the loaf holds together. Spread the garlic butter generously between the slices and smear any left over across the top.
  4. Wrap the loaf loosely in foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the butter has melted and is starting to seep out between the slices. The steam trapped by the foil softens the inside of the bread.
  5. Carefully open the foil out, watching for the steam, and bake for 4 to 6 minutes more, until the crust starts to crisp and turn golden at the edges.
  6. Tip it onto a board and let everyone pull the slices apart at the table while it is hot. It goes with anything saucy, from lasagna to spaghetti bolognese or a big bowl of soup.

Tips

  • Stir a little grated Parmesan or a pinch of chilli flakes into the butter for an easy upgrade.
  • Bake until the edges are crisp and golden, then finish under the grill for a few seconds if you want more colour.
  • Use a good crusty loaf or baguette so it holds the butter and crisps up well.

Common questions

Can I make garlic bread ahead?

Yes, spread the butter, wrap the loaf, and refrigerate or freeze it, then bake when needed straight from cold.

Should I use fresh or powdered garlic?

Fresh garlic gives the best flavour. If using powder, go easy, as it is more concentrated and can taste harsh.