I absolutely love how this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe turns out every single time—crispy, buttery, and packed with layers of garlicky goodness and fresh herbs. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a family favorite, perfect for pairing with pasta dinners or soups. If you’re a garlic lover like me, you’re going to be so happy you found this recipe because it takes simple bread and turns it into pure magic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Triple Garlic Flavor: Combines roasted, fresh, and powdered garlic for deep, rich taste.
- Fresh Herbs & Parmesan: Adds brightness and savoriness that elevates your bread game.
- Easy to Make: Step-by-step instructions make it beginner-friendly.
- Versatile Side: Pairs beautifully with so many dishes, from pasta to salads.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe is all about using quality, fresh ingredients that play together wonderfully. Choosing a good bread and fresh herbs really makes a difference, so don’t skip those small details.
- Italian or French bread: I like crusty loaves with a soft center for the best texture.
- Whole head of garlic: This is for roasting to unlock that mellow, nutty flavor.
- Olive oil: Just a bit to help roast the garlic cloves beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (very soft): Softened butter spreads easily and carries the garlic flavor.
- Fresh garlic cloves: Finely chopped or grated for pungent bite.
- Parmesan cheese: Finely grated, it melts perfectly adding savory depth.
- Fresh herbs: A mix of basil, parsley, oregano—freshly chopped is best.
- Garlic powder: A little extra garlic punch without overpowering.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Adds a herby complexity that ties flavors together.
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper: To taste, balancing all the flavors.
Variations
I love that you can easily tweak this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe to fit your mood or what you have on hand—go ahead, make it your own! From swapping herbs to dialing up the cheese, there’s lots of room to get creative.
- Extra cheesy: I sometimes sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top before baking for an ooey-gooey twist that my family goes crazy for.
- Spicy kick: Adding crushed red pepper flakes to the herb butter gives the bread a nice heat that’s perfect with tomato-based pasta dishes.
- Herb swaps: Try rosemary or thyme instead of Italian seasoning for a different herbal vibe.
- Vegan version: Use vegan butter and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan to keep it dairy-free but still delicious.
How to Make Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Garlic for That Deep Flavor
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and make sure the rack is centered. Take your whole garlic head and slice off the top just enough to expose the individual cloves—it’s like giving each clove a little peek out. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap it tightly in foil, then roast it on a baking sheet for 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll know it’s done when the smell hits you with that warm, nutty garlic aroma and the cloves are soft enough to mash with your fingers. Roasting is key here—it mellows out the harsh garlic bite and adds richness to your butter mixture.
Step 2: Mix Your Garlic Herb Parmesan Butter
While the garlic cools, grab a medium bowl and combine your softened butter with finely chopped fresh garlic, grated parmesan, fresh herbs, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Season it all with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Once the roasted garlic is cool enough, squeeze those golden cloves right into the bowl and mash them into the butter blend until smooth and super fragrant. This is where all the garlicky layers come together—you’ll be amazed at how much flavor this butter packs!
Step 3: Spread, Bake, and Broil for Crispy Magic
Slice your bread loaf in half lengthwise—don’t forget to use a serrated knife for clean cuts. Spread the garlic herb parmesan butter generously over each cut side; don’t be shy here, the more the better! Place the halves on a large baking sheet and pop them in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes until the butter is melted and the bread is warmed through. For a golden, crispy top, I like to broil the bread for 2 to 3 minutes on the center rack—just keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn. Once it’s a perfect golden brown, take it out and slice immediately.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
- Roasting Garlic Perfectly: Don’t rush; low and slow roasting unlocks that sweet, mellow flavor.
- Soft Butter Matters: Make sure your butter is very soft (almost room temp) so it blends easily with the roasted garlic.
- Broil Carefully: The broiler finishes with crisp edges but watch it closely—bread can burn in seconds!
- Fresh Herb Choice: Fresh herbs make all the difference; dry herbs won’t give that vibrant taste you’re after.
How to Serve Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle just a touch of extra parmesan or some finely chopped fresh parsley right before serving. It adds a lovely pop of color and fresh flavor that makes the bread irresistible, especially when it’s still warm.
Side Dishes
This bread shines alongside classic Italian dinners—think creamy pasta dishes, zesty tomato soups, or fresh green salads tossed with lemon vinaigrette. I often pair it with spaghetti bolognese or a hearty minestrone soup, and my family devours every crumb.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I slice it thinner and fan out the pieces on a rustic wooden board alongside bowls of olives, cured meats, and a variety of dipping oils. It becomes an inviting appetizer everyone wants to nibble on before dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover garlic bread I wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge. It usually stays nicely fresh for up to 2 days, although it’s best enjoyed warm and fresh if you can manage.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing this bread after it’s fully baked and cooled. I wrap it in foil and then place it in a freezer bag. When I want it, I thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven—this way, you get almost the same fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the bread in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, uncovered, to bring back the crusty edges. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crisp crust—it tends to get soggy fast.
FAQs
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Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of fresh garlic?
While you can technically use pre-minced garlic, fresh garlic cloves and roasted garlic really give the best depth and vibrancy to this Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe. Pre-minced garlic tends to have a milder, somewhat acidic flavor and may change the overall taste.
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What’s the best bread to use for this recipe?
Italian or French bread loaves are ideal because they have a sturdy crust and soft interior, allowing them to soak up the herb butter while still holding their shape when heated. Avoid very soft sandwich bread as it won’t crisp nicely.
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Can I prepare the garlic herb butter in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the garlic herb parmesan butter a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Just bring it to room temperature before spreading on the bread to ensure easy spreading.
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How can I make this recipe vegan?
Swap unsalted butter for vegan butter and parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast or a vegan parmesan alternative. The roasted and fresh garlic still create that excellent flavor base.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Herb Parmesan Bread Recipe is one of those kitchen wins that you’ll be so glad to have under your belt. I love making it when friends come over because it’s simple but feels so special—and honestly, it tastes like a restaurant-quality treat made right at home. Give it a try and I promise, once you’ve experienced the triple garlic delight with fresh herbs and parmesan, you’ll want to make it again and again. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!
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 recipe combines three types of garlic—roasted, fresh, and garlic powder—to create an irresistible, deeply flavorful loaf. Enhanced with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, this bread is beautifully golden, crispy, and perfect as a savory accompaniment to pastas, soups, or salads.
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 (e.g., basil, parsley, oregano)
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Roast Garlic: Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack positioned in the center. Remove excess paper from the garlic head and slice off the top to expose the cloves. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, wrap in foil, and place on a small baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour until fragrant and golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, finely chopped fresh garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh herbs, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Season generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Once the roasted garlic is cool, squeeze the soft cloves from the head directly into the bowl and mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Spread Butter on Bread: Generously spread the prepared garlic herb butter over the cut sides of the bread halves.
- Bake Garlic Bread: Place the buttered bread halves on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the bread is warmed through and butter is melted.
- Optional Broiling for Crispiness: For extra toastiness, switch the oven to broil and broil the bread on the center rack for 2 to 3 minutes until the edges are golden brown and crisp. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into 16 individual pieces with a serrated knife. Serve immediately alongside pasta, soups, or salads. Enjoy!
Notes
- This Triple Garlic Bread uses three types of garlic—roasted, fresh, and garlic powder—to achieve a rich garlic flavor that garlic lovers will adore.
- The homemade garlic herb butter is loaded with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese for extra depth and aroma.
- Baking followed by optional broiling ensures a perfectly golden and crispy crust while keeping the bread soft and flavorful inside.
- Pair this garlic bread with pasta dishes, hearty soups, or fresh salads for a complete meal.
- Use fresh leafy herbs such as basil, parsley, and oregano, or swap according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 255.4 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: 17.1 mg
