Description
Delight in this easy and flavorful Herbed Garlic Bread recipe featuring a crispy, buttery loaf infused with fresh garlic and herbs, perfect as a side for any Italian-American meal or a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf French or Italian bread, halved lengthwise
Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the bread thoroughly and evenly.
- Prepare Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh basil or dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated, creating a fragrant and flavorful herb butter.
- Spread Butter on Bread: Evenly spread the prepared herbed garlic butter over the cut sides of the halved bread, ensuring each slice is generously coated for maximum flavor.
- Add Cheese (Optional): Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the buttered bread if using, to add a savory, cheesy crust once baked.
- Bake Bread: Place the bread halves, buttered side up, on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the butter is melted and the edges of the bread turn golden brown.
- Broil for Crispiness (Optional): For a crispier top, switch your oven to broil and broil the bread for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Slice and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, slice it into 8 pieces, and serve warm as a delicious accompaniment to your meal or as a tasty snack.
Notes
- You can prepare the garlic butter ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days to save time on the day of baking.
- This recipe works well with other bread types like ciabatta or sourdough, providing versatility to suit your preference.
- For a cheesy twist, add shredded mozzarella before baking to create a melty, gooey topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
