A perfect side to any Italian dish, or any dish, try this buttery Hot Herb Bread recipe, wrapped and baked in foil.

slices of bread on plate

Blank Form (#3)

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent weekly!)

Friends, I realized I don’t really have many good “bread” recipes on RE. And I love bread! I grew up eating this Hot Herb Bread, wrapped in foil, and I bet you did, too!

Hot Herb Bread Recipe

This bread recipe is a classic, and it’s a must-make at every potluck, easily devoured within minutes! Just think of all your favorite recipes that you can serve this hot bread with. :)

piece of bread

My mom always wrapped her bread in foil. Sometimes she would fill it with savory garlic butter, and other times just plain butter. Many times, she’d just heat the bread and we’d butter it ourselves.

However you love to serve bread, this Hot Herb Bread is great for potlucks.

loaf of bread and butter

Hot Herby Bread Ingredients

Gather these easy ingredients:

  • Loaf Italian bread (about 14 inches)
  • Butter
  • Parsley flakesOregano and dill weed
  • Garlic
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Non-food items needed:

  • Foil

how to make bread wrapped in foil

How to make Hot Herb Bread

In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, parsley, oregano, dill and garlic.

herby butter

  1. Lay the loaf of bread on a large piece of foil (that will wrap up and around the bread). Using a sharp knife, make diagonal incisions along the loaf, as if you were slicing it, but do not slice all the way through (ie you want the loaf to be whole when you place it in the oven). The loaf should stay joined at the base.
  2. This next step doesn’t have to be perfect. Using a knife, spread each slice with butter on both sides, and then any remaining herb butter along the top and sides of the loaf. Basically, you are spreading the butter inside and out.
  3. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese and more parsley flakes.
  4. Shape the foil around the loaf boat-fashion, twisting ends and leaving the top open.
  5. Bake and serve hot.

bread loaf wrapped in foil

Tips and substitutions:

  • Swap out the herbs for your favorites.
  • We use salted butter. If you use unsalted butter, make sure and add a little salt.
  • Make ahead and bring to a party. Pop in the oven at your convenience and serve!

hot buttery bread

Here’s what we love to serve with this sliced bread:

Classic Spaghetti Bake with Mozzarella

Spaghetti and Meatballs Epic dinner board

Summer Avocado Pasta Salad

bread served with pasta salad

We love dinner conversations, which is why we invite so many people over to share a meal. It reminds me of this quote, below. In fact, here’s a unique story from a conversation that … didn’t really happen. If you have time to read.

“A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

ENJOY!

More delicious breads to try:

Orange Almond Scone Loaf Bread

Dutch Oven Bread

slices of bread on plate
5 stars (1 review)
Leave a Review

Get the Recipe:

Hot Herb Bread

Makes 1 large loaf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 1 loaf Italian bread, about 14 inches
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes + more for the top
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano, crumbled
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Foil

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, parsley, oregano, dill and garlic.
  • Lay the loaf of bread on a large piece of foil (that will wrap up and around the bread). Using a sharp knife, make diagonal incisions along the loaf, as if you were slicing it, but do not slice all the way through (ie you want the loaf to be whole when you place it in the oven). The loaf should stay joined at the base.
  • Take a knife, spread each slice with butter on both sides, and then any remaining herb butter along the top and sides of the loaf. You are smothering the entire loaf, inside and outside, with butter.
  • Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese and more parsley flakes.
  • Shape the foil around loaf boat-fashion, twisting ends and leaving the top open.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes and serve hot.
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

holding a piece of hot bread