Be Honest, the Garlic Bread Goes First: 17 Garlic Bread Recipes Your Family Will Fight Over

Be honest: at pasta night, the garlic bread disappears first. Somebody always grabs two pieces, and somebody always asks if there is more. So why not make it the main event? These garlic bread recipes go from classic cheesy loaves to garlic knots, pizza bread, hot honey and a viral Korean version. Get the butter soft and the oven hot..

Garlic bread recipes start here: extra cheesy garlic bread

Extra cheesy garlic bread videos have been all over Instagram this year, and it is easy to see why. A long loaf gets a thick layer of garlic butter, then a blanket of mozzarella that bakes until blistered and stretchy. Serve it with warm marinara for dipping. Who gets the first slice at your table?

You will need: 1 long loaf French or Italian bread split lengthwise, 1/2 cup soft butter, 5 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, marinara for dipping.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Mix the butter, garlic, parsley and salt and spread on the cut sides of the bread. Bake on a sheet pan 6 minutes. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan and bake 8 to 10 minutes more, then broil 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese blisters. Slice and serve with marinara.

Garlic bread recipes from scratch: roasted garlic butter

If you only make one homemade garlic butter, make this one. Roasting whole heads of garlic turns the cloves soft, sweet and spreadable, with none of the harsh bite. Mash them into butter with parsley and a pinch of salt and spread it on a split loaf. It is the best base for almost every garlic bread recipe here.

You will need: 2 whole heads garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 cup (1 stick) soft butter, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 loaf Italian or French bread.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the tops off the garlic heads, drizzle with oil, wrap in foil and roast 40 minutes until soft and golden. Squeeze out the cloves and mash with the butter, parsley and salt. Split the bread, spread thickly and bake 10 to 12 minutes until crisp at the edges.

Sheet pan squares for a crowd

Feeding a big group? The easiest garlic bread recipes skip the loaf and use a sheet pan. Brush slices of sandwich bread or a split focaccia with garlic butter, bake, then cut into squares. They stay soft in the middle and crisp at the edges, and everyone gets a corner piece. Great for potlucks, spaghetti dinners and game nights.

You will need: 16 slices thick white bread or 1 focaccia split, 3/4 cup butter melted, 6 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the butter, garlic, seasoning and salt. Lay the bread on a large sheet pan and brush generously. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until golden. Top with parsley and cut into squares.

Garlic bread recipes from the pizzeria: garlic knots

Garlic knots were born in New York pizzerias as a way to use leftover dough, and now they are a favorite everywhere. Soft knots of pizza dough bake until golden, then get tossed in hot garlic butter and Parmesan. Store bought pizza dough makes these so easy. Be honest: could you stop at just one?

You will need: 1 pound pizza dough (store bought is fine), 4 tablespoons butter, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, pinch of salt, marinara for dipping.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the dough into 12 pieces, roll each into a 7 inch rope and tie in a loose knot. Set on a lined sheet pan and bake 15 minutes until golden. Melt the butter with the garlic for 1 minute. Toss the hot knots in the butter, then the parsley, Parmesan and salt.

Garlic bread pizza

This is what happens when garlic bread and pizza night collide. A split loaf gets garlic butter, sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni, then bakes until bubbly. Kids can top their own section. It is a fun Friday night dinner that costs very little. If your crew loves this, try our homemade pizza night ideas too.

You will need: 1 loaf French bread split lengthwise, 4 tablespoons butter softened, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup pizza sauce, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 3 ounces sliced pepperoni, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the butter and garlic and spread on the cut sides of the bread. Bake 5 minutes on a sheet pan. Spread with sauce, top with mozzarella and pepperoni and sprinkle with oregano. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Cut into slices.

Garlic bread recipes for lunch: garlic bread grilled cheese

Swap plain butter for garlic butter, like in all our garlic bread recipes, and your grilled cheese turns into something you would order at a diner. The outside gets crisp and garlicky while the cheese melts into gooey layers. Dunk it in tomato soup for the ultimate cozy lunch. Poll: A) Cheddar B) Mozzarella C) Both?

You will need: 4 slices sourdough or Italian bread, 3 tablespoons soft butter, 1 clove garlic grated, 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, 4 slices provolone or mozzarella, 2 slices cheddar, pinch of parsley.

How to make it: Mix the butter, garlic, Parmesan and parsley. Spread on one side of each bread slice. Lay 2 slices butter side down in a skillet over medium low heat. Add the cheeses and top with the other slices, butter side up. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and melty.

Stuffed spinach artichoke loaf

This is garlic bread and spinach artichoke dip in one. Hollow out a loaf, fill it with a creamy, cheesy spinach and artichoke mix, and bake until the top is bubbling. Slice it into thick pieces and watch it disappear at any party. It is one of the most fun garlic bread recipes to bring to a potluck.

You will need: 1 round or long loaf Italian bread, 4 tablespoons butter melted, 3 cloves garlic minced, 4 ounces cream cheese soft, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 cup chopped frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry, 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts chopped, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cut a long V shaped trench in the loaf and pull out some bread. Brush inside with the garlic butter. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichokes, 1 cup mozzarella and the Parmesan. Fill the loaf, top with the rest of the mozzarella, wrap the sides in foil and bake 25 minutes.

The 5 minute air fryer version

Not all garlic bread recipes need the oven. The air fryer makes garlic bread crisp and golden in about 5 minutes. It is perfect when you are cooking for one or two, or when you need a quick side for leftover pasta. Do you use your air fryer every day, or is it hiding in a cabinet?

You will need: 6 slices baguette or Italian bread cut 1 inch thick, 3 tablespoons soft butter, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, pinch of salt.

How to make it: Mix the butter, garlic, Parmesan, parsley and salt. Spread on one side of each slice. Place butter side up in the air fryer basket in one layer. Cook at 350 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and crisp at the edges. Serve hot.

Homemade Texas toast

Texas toast is cut about twice as thick as regular sandwich bread, so it stays fluffy inside while the outside crisps up in garlic butter. It is a classic next to chicken fried steak, chili or a big bowl of spaghetti. Make a batch and freeze extra slices for busy nights.

You will need: 8 slices thick cut white bread (about 1 inch), 1/2 cup soft butter, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch of salt, shredded mozzarella (optional).

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the butter, garlic, parsley, garlic powder and salt. Spread on both sides of each slice. Bake on a sheet pan 5 minutes, flip and bake 4 to 5 minutes more until golden. Add mozzarella on top for the last 2 minutes if you like it cheesy.

Garlic bread recipes with a kick: hot honey cheesy garlic bread

Sweet heat is everywhere right now, and it is amazing on cheesy garlic bread. Drizzle warm hot honey over the bubbling mozzarella and finish with a pinch of chili flakes. Salty, sweet, spicy and gooey all at once. If you do not have hot honey, warm regular honey with red pepper flakes for 2 minutes. Would you try it?

You will need: 1 loaf Italian bread split, 4 tablespoons butter soft, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 3 tablespoons hot honey (or 3 tablespoons honey warmed with 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes), parsley.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the butter and garlic and spread on the bread. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese bubbles and browns in spots. Drizzle with the hot honey, sprinkle with parsley and a few extra chili flakes, and slice.

The viral Korean cream cheese bun

This Korean street food went viral for good reason. Soft round buns are cut into wedges, stuffed with sweet cream cheese and soaked in a garlic butter custard, then baked until golden. Spicy gochujang versions are all over YouTube too, and this sweet and savory classic is just as fun. Want a kick? Add a teaspoon of gochujang to the butter.

You will need: 4 soft round brioche or milk buns, 8 ounces cream cheese soft, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 cup butter melted, 6 cloves garlic minced, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon parsley, pinch of salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut each bun into 6 wedges without cutting through the bottom. Beat the cream cheese with the sugar and pipe or spoon it between the wedges. Whisk the butter, garlic, egg, honey, parsley and salt and spoon it all over each bun. Bake 15 minutes until golden.

Cheesy meatball subs

Garlic bread recipes can be dinner, too. Build your meatball subs on garlic bread and you will never go back. Toast the rolls with garlic butter first so they stay crisp under the sauce. Then pile on saucy meatballs and melted provolone. It is a messy, happy, Friday night kind of dinner. Make sure you have plenty of napkins.

You will need: 4 hoagie rolls split, 4 tablespoons butter soft, 2 cloves garlic minced, 16 cooked meatballs (frozen or homemade), 2 cups marinara sauce, 8 slices provolone, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Simmer the meatballs in the marinara 10 to 15 minutes until hot (165 degrees F). Mix the butter and garlic, spread inside the rolls and toast 5 minutes. Fill each roll with 4 meatballs and sauce, top with provolone and Parmesan and bake 5 minutes until melty.

Garlic bread recipes for dunking: Parmesan breadsticks

Thin, crunchy Italian breadsticks, called grissini, are perfect for dunking in soup or marinara. This easy version uses store bought pizza dough rolled thin, brushed with garlic butter and showered with Parmesan. Kids love helping to roll the dough into long skinny snakes. Make a tall jar of them for the dinner table.

You will need: 1 pound pizza dough, 3 tablespoons butter melted, 2 cloves garlic grated, 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, coarse salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Roll the dough into a thin rectangle and cut into 1/2 inch strips. Roll and stretch each strip into a long thin stick and lay on lined sheet pans. Brush with the garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan, seasoning and salt. Bake 10 to 14 minutes until crisp and golden.

Crunchy croutons from leftovers

This one uses up leftovers. Do not toss old garlic bread. Cut it into cubes and toast it again for the crunchiest croutons you have ever had. They are perfect on tomato soup, Caesar salad or a bowl of chili. Store them in a jar for up to a week, if they last that long.

You will need: 4 cups leftover garlic bread or day old bread cut in 3/4 inch cubes, 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter, 1 clove garlic grated, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, pinch of salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toss the bread cubes with the oil, garlic, Parmesan and salt. Spread in one layer on a sheet pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crunchy. Cool completely before storing.

Garlic bread recipes with fresh herbs and cheese

Fresh herbs make garlic bread taste like it came from a little Italian restaurant. Basil, parsley and a bit of oregano go into the butter, then melted mozzarella goes on top. Serve it next to pasta, soup or a big salad. Which herb is a must in your kitchen: basil, parsley or rosemary?

You will need: 1 loaf ciabatta or Italian bread split, 5 tablespoons soft butter, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, pinch of salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Mix the butter, garlic, herbs and salt. Spread on the cut sides of the bread. Bake 6 minutes, then top with the mozzarella and bake 5 to 7 minutes more until bubbly and golden. Slice and serve warm.

Tomato bruschetta

Bruschetta started as simple Italian toast rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Top it with fresh tomatoes, basil and a little cheese and you have the easiest party appetizer there is. Rub a cut garlic clove right on the hot toast, that is the classic trick. Garlic bread recipes do not get much fresher than this.

You will need: 1 baguette sliced 1/2 inch thick, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic halved, 3 ripe tomatoes diced, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 1/2 cup small mozzarella pearls or diced mozzarella, salt, pepper, balsamic glaze (optional).

How to make it: Heat the broiler. Brush the bread with olive oil and broil 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden. Rub each hot slice with the cut side of a garlic clove. Mix the tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, salt and pepper. Spoon on top and drizzle with balsamic glaze if you like.

Soft buttery dinner rolls

Soft, pull apart dinner rolls brushed with garlic butter are perfect for Thanksgiving and every Sunday dinner. Frozen roll dough makes them almost effortless. Brush on the butter right when they come out of the oven so it soaks in. Which of these garlic bread recipes will you make first?

You will need: 12 frozen dinner rolls (thawed and risen as the package says) or 12 homemade roll dough balls, 4 tablespoons butter melted, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, flaky salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the risen rolls close together in a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden. Melt the butter with the garlic for 1 minute and stir in the parsley. Brush over the hot rolls and sprinkle with flaky salt.