Mouthwatering Garlic Bread Recipe

Irresistible Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe Anyone Can Master

Warm, golden slices of homemade cheesy garlic bread beckon with their irresistible aroma and promise of pure comfort.

Nothing compares to the sizzling, melted goodness that emerges straight from your oven.

Fragrant garlic mingles with rich, gooey cheese, creating a side dish that steals the spotlight from any main course.

Each slice offers a perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, buttery center that melts in your mouth.

The combination of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella ensures a delightful cheese pull with every bite.

Simple ingredients come together to create a restaurant-worthy treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe and transform your next meal into an unforgettable experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 9

Cheesy Garlic Bread Ingredient Breakdown

For Bread Base:
  • French Bread: Provides the perfect crispy canvas for this delectable garlic spread, choose a fresh, crusty loaf with a soft interior.
For Creamy Spread:
  • Mayonnaise, Unsalted Butter: Creates a luxuriously smooth and rich base that helps herbs and seasonings adhere beautifully to the bread.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty depth of flavor and helps create a golden, crispy texture when baked.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Fresh Italian Parsley, Chives: Brings bright, fresh herbaceous notes that elevate the entire dish, select vibrant green herbs with no wilting.
  • Minced Garlic: Delivers a bold, aromatic punch that's essential to the classic garlic bread experience, use fresh for maximum flavor intensity.
  • Onion Powder: Provides a subtle, rounded savory undertone that complements the garlic perfectly.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that introduces a gentle heat and exciting spark to the bread.
For Cheese Topping:
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into irresistible stretchy goodness, creating a gooey, golden crown that makes this garlic bread utterly irresistible.

What You’ll Need to Make Cheesy Garlic Bread

  • Serrated Knife: Essential for cutting precise slits in bread without slicing completely through.
  • Large Baking Sheet: Perfect for holding and baking the garlic bread evenly.
  • Aluminum Foil: Helps cover and protect the bread during initial baking.
  • Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for combining cheese, herbs, and seasonings.
  • Whisk: Great for blending ingredients smoothly and eliminating lumps.
  • Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and adds light greasiness to foil and pan.

Cheesy Garlic Bread: How to Make It

Bread Canvas

  • Slicing Preparation Carefully cut partial slices into bread without separating bottom, creating a delicate accordion-like pattern.
  • Flavor Fusion Create a creamy blend of zesty ingredients combining traditional and unexpected seasonings for maximum taste complexity.
  • Cheese Coating Generously spread the rich mixture between each bread section, ensuring every crevice becomes a flavor pocket.
  • Foil Protection Cover bread completely with protective foil layer to lock in moisture and enhance slow cooking process.
  • Oven Magic Bake at moderate temperature, first sealed then uncovered to develop golden crispy exterior with soft inner layers.
  • Serving Style Present hot, allowing guests to pull apart steaming sections revealing melted cheese and aromatic herbs.

Tips for Better Cheesy Garlic Bread

  • Bread Texture Magic: Choose a crusty French or Italian loaf with a dense, soft interior for maximum cheese-soaking potential.
  • Cheese Swap Delight: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyère to create unique flavor profiles that match your main dish.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes from a pinch to a generous sprinkle depending on your heat tolerance, making the garlic bread mild or fiery.
  • Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the cheese mixture and slice the bread up to 4 hours before baking, storing wrapped in the refrigerator to save time during meal prep.
  • Herbal Twist: Replace dried herbs with fresh parsley or chives for a brighter, more vibrant flavor that elevates the entire appetizer's taste profile.

Serving Cheesy Garlic Bread

  • Dip Delight: Serve this cheesy garlic bread with a variety of dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or spicy sriracha for an extra flavor kick that will make guests crave more.
  • Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the slices on a rustic wooden board alongside crispy mozzarella sticks, salami slices, and olives to create an irresistible appetizer spread that'll wow your friends.
  • Meal Companion Magic: Pair this garlic bread with hearty soups, pasta dishes, or grilled chicken to elevate your dinner experience and add a deliciously cheesy crunch to the meal.
  • Breakfast Twist: Surprisingly, these cheesy slices work wonderfully alongside scrambled eggs or as a base for a savory morning toast topped with cream cheese and chives.

Storing Cheesy Garlic Bread Leftovers

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Wrap leftover slices in aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for crispy texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Place cooled bread pieces in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks.
  • Quick Reheating Trick: Avoid microwave to maintain crispness. Oven reheating ensures the bread stays crunchy and maintains its delicious garlic-cheese flavor.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before baking.
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Mouthwatering Garlic Bread Recipe

Irresistible Garlic Bread Recipe


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4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Homemade cheesy garlic bread emerges as a classic comfort dish packed with savory flavors. Garlicky, buttery, and crisp edges make this simple side irresistible for hungry diners who crave warm, melted goodness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 18-inch French bread loaf
  • 2 cups (500 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) real mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 2 tbsps chopped fresh chives
  • 1 ½ tbsps minced garlic
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, lightly spraying with cooking spray for easy release.
  2. Bread Cutting: With a sharp serrated knife, create precise diagonal cuts across the bread loaf, maintaining the bottom’s structural integrity while ensuring one-inch spacing between incisions.
  3. Flavor Blend: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, softened butter, Parmesan, fresh herbs, garlic, onion powder, and red pepper flakes until completely incorporated, then fold in additional shredded cheese to elevate the mixture’s complexity.
  4. Cheese Infusion: Meticulously distribute the herbed cheese mixture between each bread slice, ensuring comprehensive coverage and deep penetration into the cuts.
  5. Initial Baking: Loosely cover the bread with a second piece of foil sprayed with cooking oil, then bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and cheese to become luxuriously melty.
  6. Final Crisping: Remove the protective foil and return the bread to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, developing a golden, crispy exterior that promises irresistible texture.
  7. Serving: Present the bread piping hot, accompanied by zesty pizza sauce for dipping, transforming it into an enticing side dish or crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Notes

  • Slice Strategically: Use a sharp serrated knife to create precise diagonal cuts, keeping the bread’s bottom intact for a beautiful pull-apart effect.
  • Mix Masterfully: Blend mayonnaise, butter, Parmesan, herbs, and spices thoroughly to ensure a rich, evenly distributed flavor profile.
  • Foil Protection: Cover the bread loosely with oiled foil during initial baking to prevent burning and maintain moisture.
  • Crisp Finish: Uncover for the final 5 minutes to achieve a golden, crunchy top that adds textural contrast to the soft, cheesy interior.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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