Description
This homemade garlic bread recipe combines a flavorful blend of butter, fresh garlic, spices, and parmesan cheese, spread generously on a crusty French bread loaf and baked until golden and crispy. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer, it’s quick to prepare and richly aromatic.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 6 Tbsp butter, softened
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Bread
- 1 (16-oz) loaf French bread
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the bread to a crispy finish.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, fresh parsley, onion powder, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until well mixed.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise so you have two long pieces with the cut side up. Place them on a baking sheet, ready to be topped.
- Apply Butter Mixture: Evenly spread the prepared garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet with the bread halves in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bread is nicely crispy and golden brown.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, optionally sprinkle with extra dried parsley for color and flavor, then cut into slices and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for maximum aroma and flavor.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes to control the level of spice.
- For a crispier texture, broil the bread for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Leftover garlic bread can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispness.
- Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth but can be omitted for a milder version.
