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Garlic bread is one of the best side dishes when it comes to pasta we think, here are a couple of ideas for having garlic while also enjoying your favourite meal like pasta soup or something like a big salad.

This is great news because it is so simple to prepare homemade garlic bread by using a few ingredients. Just that a simple slice of bread becomes buttery, delicious and has a crispy crust when you use a regular old pan.

This homemade garlic bread recipe will show you how to make some tasty garlic bread with your favourite type of sandwich bread, a loaf of French bread or even leftover bread.

Ingredients for Homemade Garlic Bread

• 4 slices of bread
• 2-3 tablespoons of butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil

Instructions for Making Garlic Bread With Regular Bread

Preheat the Oven

Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you want more crunchy garlic bread, then preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). You may also use a toaster oven or stovetop pan if you do not have an oven.

Prepare the Garlic Butter

Mix the softened butter and garlic in a small bowl. If you are using garlic powder, add it to the butter. Season with salt, pepper and parsley (if using). The garlic butter mixture would blend well together and be spreadable.

Spread the Garlic Butter on Bread

Place the bread slices on a baking sheet. Spread each slice generously with the garlic butter using a knife or spoon. Ensure you sprinkle the entire surface for an even taste. Extra garlic butter if you like it a bit more garlicky.

Add Optional Toppings

If you like, add a couple of spoons of grated parmesan over the buttered bread it a has nice flavour. Preferably drizzled with a little olive oil! A little bit of dried thyme or oregano gives it a nice twist too.

Bake the Bread

Place the garlic bread in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges start to turn golden brown and crispy, whichever comes first. If you like your garlic bread super crispy, leave it in the oven for a couple of minutes longer. Just be careful not to let it burn!

Broil for Extra Crispiness (Optional)

If you fancy a little bit more crisp, turn on the broiler for the final 1-2 minutes of baking. Broil the bread until the tops are slightly golden and crispy. But watch out, broiling can burn the bread quite quickly if you are not very careful indeed!

Serve and Enjoy

Once the bread is toasted golden, remove from the oven. Allow cooling for one or two minutes before slicing it into pieces or leaving it as a whole if you plan on serving it that way. Serve your garlic bread up with some nice hot pasta or salad, you could even have it with a bowl of soup.

Tips for Making the Best Garlic Bread

• Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavour, but in a pinch, you can use garlic powder.
• Soften the butter: Ensure your butter is soft so that it layers smoothly over the bread. If too hard, soften it by microwaving it for a few seconds.
• Customize your bread: Feel free to try different types of bread. French bread or ciabatta will make for a firm texture, while sandwich bread will make for lighter garlic bread.
• Add cheese: If you’re a garlic cheese bread fan, sprinkle over a little grated mozzarella or cheddar before baking.
• Garlic oil: For a no-dairy version, mix the garlic with olive oil instead of butter. With nothing to interfere, you can enjoy a crispy, richer, and slightly less delicious garlic bread.

Variations of Homemade Garlic Bread

• Cheesy Garlic Bread: After spreading the garlic butter, top the bread with shredded mozzarella, cheddar or a blend of cheeses. Then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Herb Garlic Bread: Stir some dry fresh herbs including oregano, thyme and or rosemary for a delightful punch of kick and taste.
• Vegan Garlic Bread: Substitute the butter with a vegan margarine or olive oil. Add some nutritional yeast to approximate the taste of cheese.
• Spicy Garlic Bread: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a kick.

Garlic Bread On Stove

You can also make garlic bread on the stovetop if you prefer not to use an oven. Place the buttered bread in a non-stick pan, over low to medium heat, butter side down.

Fry for 2-3 minutes or until the outside of the bread is crispy and golden, then turn over to fry on the other side (optional). This is a great method for a quick garlic bread when you do not want to heat the oven.

Conclusion

With regular bread, homemade garlic bread is an easy way to add flavour to your meals. Whether you put it in the oven or fry it on the stove, this simple recipe allows you to throw together buttery, savoury deliciousness in a few minutes.

Furthermore, with the many varieties and flavours, there are of garlic bread recipes out today, it is easy to find one that can be adjusted just to suit your taste no matter what type of occasion or mood you`re in.