Recipes › Bread & Pizza › Garlic Bread Recipe

Garlic Bread Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

This Italian-inspired garlic bread is a crispy, golden classic made with fresh-baked ciabatta, roasted garlic, and fragrant parsley. Rich with butter and infused with authentic garlic flavor, it serves as a perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes or a satisfying appetizer on its own. Simple ingredients combine to create an irresistible side that captures the essence of Italian comfort food.

Ingredients

• 1 ciabatta loaf (400 g / 14 oz), halved horizontally
• 8 garlic cloves (40 g / 1.4 oz), minced
• 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
• 15 g (0.5 oz) fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 5 ml (1 tsp) sea salt
• 2 ml (0.5 tsp) freshly ground black pepper
• 5 ml (1 tsp) dried oregano

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / gas mark 6). Position the rack in the upper third of the oven.

2. Peel and mince the garlic cloves into very fine, uniform pieces. Set aside in a small bowl.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter with the minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix thoroughly until the garlic and herbs are evenly distributed throughout the butter.

4. Slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise, creating two long rectangular pieces. Place them cut-side up on a large baking sheet.

5. Spread the garlic herb butter evenly across the cut surface of each ciabatta half, working from the center outward to ensure even coverage. Use approximately 50 g (3.5 tbsp) of butter per half.

6. Place the buttered ciabatta halves directly on the oven rack in the upper third position. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are deep golden brown and the butter is sizzling at the edges.

7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes. Using a serrated bread knife, cut each half into 4 equal portions at a slight diagonal angle.

8. Serve immediately while still warm, drizzling any remaining melted butter from the baking sheet over the pieces.

Substitutions

• Use vegan butter and replace with extra garlic for a plant-based version with enhanced flavor
• Substitute fresh parsley with fresh basil or a combination of basil and oregano for a different Italian herb profile
• Replace ciabatta with thick-cut slices of Italian bread or focaccia for varying texture and crust thickness
• Use garlic oil infused with chili flakes instead of butter and garlic for a spicy variation

Tips

• Toast the garlic briefly in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mincing to mellow its raw bite while maintaining aromatic intensity
• Do not cut the ciabatta until just before serving, as this preserves moisture and prevents the interior from drying out during cooking
• For deeper color and crisper edges, position the bread closer to a preheated broiler for the final 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning
• Store leftover garlic bread wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 4 hours; reheat gently in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness

Garlic bread evolved from the Italian tradition of pane all'aglio, though the version served in restaurants today was popularized in Italian-American cuisine during the mid-20th century. In Italy, bread is typically served plain or with olive oil and vinegar, making this buttered, garlic-heavy version distinctly transatlantic yet beloved across both cultures.

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