If you’re a garlic lover like me, you’re going to absolutely adore this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe. It’s that perfectly crispy, buttery, and super flavorful bread that steals the show every time I make it. Honestly, this isn’t just regular garlic bread—it’s loaded with roasted garlic, fresh garlic, and garlic powder all wrapped up with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be your go-to side for pasta nights, soups, or just because you need an excuse to eat more garlic bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Triple Garlic Goodness: Roasted, fresh, and powder garlic blend for the ultimate flavor punch.
- Buttery Herb Blend: Soft butter combined with fresh herbs and parmesan create a rich, savory spread.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s family dinner or casual get-togethers, it always disappears fast.
- Easy & Versatile: Uses simple ingredients and works perfectly with pasta, salads, or soups.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe is that it uses ingredients you probably already have — plus a few fresh herbs to make it shine. I always recommend using fresh herbs and good quality parmesan for that extra touch. Also, roasting a whole head of garlic sounds fancy but it’s super easy and worth every minute.
- Italian or French bread: Look for a sturdy loaf that can handle the butter without getting soggy.
- Head of garlic: Roasting this mellows the sharpness and adds depth to the flavor.
- Olive oil: Just a little to keep the garlic moist in the oven.
- Unsalted butter: Use very soft butter so it blends perfectly with the garlic and herbs.
- Fresh garlic cloves: Finely chopped or grated for a punch of fresh garlic bite.
- Parmesan cheese: Finely grated — fresh Parmesan makes a noticeable difference here.
- Fresh herbs (basil, parsley, oregano): Chop them finely for that fresh herbal flavor.
- Garlic powder: It adds a subtle background garlic flavor that rounds out the spread.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Adds complexity and balances the fresh herbs.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: For seasoning to taste — don’t skip this!
Variations
I love experimenting with this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe. Depending on what I have around or who I’m serving, I tweak the herbs or add a little extra cheese. You should feel free to make this your own!
- Cheesy Variation: Adding shredded mozzarella on top before broiling gives you a melty, gooey cheesy bread I can’t resist.
- Spicy Kick: I once added a sprinkle of red chili flakes to the butter mix for a nice heat that balanced beautifully with the garlic.
- Herb Swap: If fresh herbs aren’t available, dried herbs work well—just use a bit less.
- Vegan Twist: Use a plant-based butter and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version.
How to Make Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Garlic to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F and place a rack in the middle. Take the head of garlic, peel off excess paper, and slice off the top so the cloves peek out. Drizzle a little olive oil over the exposed garlic, wrap it tightly in foil, and roast on a small baking sheet for 45 minutes to an hour. This slow roasting transforms the garlic into sweet, caramelized little cloves that are a game changer in this recipe. Let it cool before handling.
Step 2: Mix the Irresistible Garlic Herb Parmesan Butter
In a bowl, combine your softened unsalted butter with freshly chopped garlic, finely grated Parmesan, the fresh herbs, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Once your roasted garlic is cool enough, squeeze the cloves out of their skins and mash them into the butter mixture. Season it with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This butter isn’t just a spread — it’s the heart of the whole bread!
Step 3: Prep and Bake the Bread
Slice your loaf in half lengthwise and slather on the garlic herb parmesan butter generously, covering every inch of the cut side. Place the halves on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. If you want that extra golden crust, switch on your broiler at the end and broil for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep a close eye — it toasts quickly and you don’t want it to burn!
Step 4: Slice and Serve Immediately
Remove your bread from the oven and let it cool slightly on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to slice it into individual pieces. Serve it straight away – the warm garlic butter, crisp edges, and cheesy herbs make every bite memorable!
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
- Roast Garlic Timing: Don’t rush the roasting; slow caramelization brings out the best flavor.
- Butter Softness: Let your butter soften at room temperature for easy mixing and spreading.
- Broiler Watch Out: Broil on high but watch it constantly to avoid burning – 2 minutes usually does it.
- Mix-Ins: I’ve found that fresh herbs make the biggest flavor difference, so try to use fresh when you can.
How to Serve Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I love to sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley on top after baking for a fresh burst of color and brightness. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes sometimes sneaks in too, for a subtle heat that pairs beautifully with the garlic.
Side Dishes
This garlic bread pairs amazingly with a classic spaghetti bolognese or creamy tomato soup. I also like serving it alongside a crisp Caesar salad or hearty minestrone. This bread is so versatile, it easily complements a wide range of meals.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve tried stacking slices into a fan shape on a rustic wooden board, garnished with fresh herbs and little bowls of marinara or olive oil for dipping. It’s simple but looks stunning. It’s always a favorite conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers – which might be rare in my house! – wrap the bread tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps it tasting fresh without drying out.
Freezing
I sometimes freeze extra buttered bread before baking, wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh. It’s a great time-saver for busy nights.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to regain that crispy edge without drying out. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crust crisp and butter melty.
FAQs
-
Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of fresh garlic?
You can, but fresh garlic gives a brighter, more aromatic punch. Pre-minced garlic sometimes has a slightly processed taste, so for the best flavor in this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe, I recommend fresh chopped or grated garlic.
-
What bread works best for this recipe?
Italian or French bread works best because of their sturdy crusts and soft centers. They hold up well to the buttery topping without becoming soggy, and their texture crisps beautifully under the broiler.
-
Can I make this bread vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based alternative and replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese. The roasted garlic and herbs will still give you plenty of flavor.
-
Is it necessary to roast the whole garlic head?
Roasting adds a mellow, sweet garlic flavor that really elevates the bread. You can skip this step for a quicker version, but roasting is the secret to that rich, buttery depth that makes this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe so special.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe turns out every single time. It’s become my secret weapon when I want to impress friends or just treat my family to something special without a lot of fuss. You’ll find that the layers of garlic and herbs create a perfect harmony of flavor that elevates any meal. Give it a try—I promise, once you make this, your ordinary dinner nights will feel a little more magical.
Print
Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 pieces
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Garlic Lover’s Garlic Bread with Parmesan Cheese & Fresh Herbs is a deliciously aromatic and savory side dish featuring three types of garlic—roasted, fresh, and garlic powder—blended into a flavorful herb butter spread atop crusty Italian or French bread, then baked until golden and crispy. Perfect for pairing with pastas, soups, or salads for an irresistible garlicky treat.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 loaf Italian or French bread (approx. 16 ounces), sliced in half lengthwise
Roasted Garlic
- 1 head garlic
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
Garlic Herb Butter
- ½ cup very soft unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped leafy fresh herbs (basil, parsley, oregano, or your choice)
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare for roasting garlic: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), placing a rack in the center. Remove any excess paper from the head of garlic and slice off the top to expose the cloves. Drizzle the exposed garlic with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil, wrap it tightly in foil, and place it on a small baking sheet.
- Roast the garlic: Roast the wrapped garlic in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the cloves are soft, fragrant, and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool enough to handle safely.
- Prepare the garlic herb butter: In a medium bowl, combine the very soft unsalted butter, finely chopped fresh garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh herbs, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Once the roasted garlic has cooled, squeeze the soft roasted cloves from the head into the butter mixture and mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Assemble the bread: Spread the prepared garlic herb butter generously and evenly over the cut sides of the halved loaf of bread.
- Bake the bread: Place the buttered bread halves on a large baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the bread is warmed through and slightly toasted.
- Broil for extra crispiness: For a golden, crisp top, turn on the broiler and broil the bread on the center rack for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from the oven once golden and crisp.
- Slice and serve: Transfer the garlic bread to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice it into 16 individual pieces. Serve immediately alongside your favorite pasta dishes, soups, or salads. Enjoy this triple garlic delight!
Notes
- This recipe uses three forms of garlic—roasted, fresh, and garlic powder—to create a deeply flavorful garlic bread experience.
- The garlic herb butter includes fresh parsley, basil, or oregano along with grated Parmesan for an added layer of taste and aroma.
- Toasting with the broiler at the end gives the bread a perfect golden crust without drying out the soft butter underneath.
- Perfect as a side dish or appetizer with Italian meals, soups, or salads.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially the garlic powder and salt, to balance the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 255 mg
- Fat: 7.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18.5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4.8 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
