How To Make Garlic Bread with Regular Bread
Buttery toast doesn’t have to be fancy, and it doesn’t need to be made with bread from a bakery. Instead, grab a loaf of sandwich bread and get ready because I’m going to show you how to make garlic bread with regular bread. It’s a quick, easy and delicious recipe made with butter, herbs, and sliced bread!
My Mom used to make garlic bread this way, using whole wheat bread, and you’ll often see it called Poor Man’s Garlic Bread, because this recipe uses every day sandwich bread. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the tastiest! I grew up with this garlic toast bread, and today I stilll whip up a few pieces, especially if we are serving a pasta dish for dinner!
The best garlic bread you’ll ever eat
You can’t beat the flavor of deliciously buttered bread, garlic, and parsley. And, this garlic bread made with regular bread is so easy to make! It cooks under the broiler and is ready in no time. Perfect with soup, stews, casseroles, and Italian pasta dishes, you can pair this recipe with so many dishes! I also love it as a snack, and I almost always have these ingredients on hand – no last minute trips to the store!
Everything you need to make the best garlic bread:
Here’s our quick easy way – you won’t believe how this comes together!
- Sliced bread – Any sandwich bread will do. I like using whole wheat bread.
- Butter – Softened. You can use salted or unsalted (depends on how salty you like it).
- Parsley – Fresh parsley adds incredible flavor.
- Garlic powder
- Baking sheet
How to make homemade garlic bread with garlic paste?
If you prefer to make a paste instead of this simple butter, grind garlic cloves into a smooth spreadable paste (consistency). You can also make ahead garlic paste and store it in the fridge. The shelf life is longer with garlic paste, rather than pressed garlic.
- It can be processed with a food processor, with a little oil and salt.
- Make it from whole peeled garlic cloves, which you can crush, mince, or grate the cloves, and then combined with salt and/or oil to create a paste.
- Use a knife to press the clove down on a cutting board with the flat side of a knife blade, and then add some salt.
How to make the best garlic bread with regular bread
- Preheat the oven to 425-F. Position the rack about 4 inches from the top under the broiler.
- Mix the softened butter, chopped parsley, and garlic powder together.
- Spread the mixture on both sides of each slice of bread.
- Lay the bread on a cookie sheet and broil it on the top rack until toasted, then flip it over and toast the other side.
- Slice in half and serve!
Add cheese to make cheesy garlic bread
Follow the same instructions, but make it cheesy! Add 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, adding it to the bread the last 2 minutes of baking. TIP: If you add it too early, it will make it too brown and crisp on top.
Sandy’s tips and substitutions:
- Any kind of bread will work for this recipe so use what you’ve got. Sliced sourdough, whole grain white, grainy, and whole wheat bread is all delicious for this recipe.
- To soften the butter first, microwave it for 15 seconds and then mash it up with a fork or spoon.
- You can make the garlic butter mixture up to a day in advance. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to make it.
- If you’re having trouble spreading the butter on your bread, freeze the bread for 20 minutes to firm it up a bit. Then the butter will just glide on smoothly.
- Don’t walk away! The broiler can burn the bread really easily – keep an eye on it while the slices are under the broiler.
- Top the bread with a sprinkle of Parmesan or other cheese to make cheesy garlic bread – see our TIP.
- A pinch of crushed red pepper will add a bit of spice!
- Make it Vegan: Substitute the regular butter with vegan butter. If adding cheese, add your favorite vegan cheese.
- This recipe is easily doubled to feed a crowd.
- Prepare ahead: I can get it all ready to go and just pop it in the oven before serving.
How to serve garlic bread
Serve this easy recipe with all your favorite soups, stews, pastas, salads, and more! Some of my favorite ways to serve this are on a charcuterie board with all sorts of tasty dips and dippers, meatles meals, and of course, pastas smothered in delicious sauce.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will also freeze; freeze it in airtight freezer-safe plastic bags or containers. Warm your garlic bread under the broiler for 30 seconds or so to reheat it.
Check out these awesome bread recipes:
- Pull-Apart Charcuterie Bread
- Buttermilk Cornbread
- Stuffed Caprese Bread
- Easy Artisan Bacon Cheese Bread
Get the Recipe:
How to make garlic bread (with regular bread)
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoon softened butter
- ½ cup parsley
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 8 slices sliced bread, use a regular loaf whole wheat bread
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees on broil. Make sure the rack is 4 inches from the top.
- Mix the softened butter, chopped parsley and garlic powder together. (You can soften the butter by putting it in the microwave for 15 seconds.)
- Spread the mixture on both sides of each piece of sliced spread.
- Put it on a cookie sheet. Broil on top rack in oven; each side for 3 minutes or until toasted.
- Slice and serve (or serve whole).
Notes
Add cheese to make cheesy garlic bread
Follow the same instructions, but make it cheesy! Add 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, adding it to the bread the last 2 minutes of baking. TIP: If you add it too early, it will make it too brown and crisp on top.
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
An easy recipe and it was wonderful. I did add mozzarella cheese after flipping over as we love cheese. It would be great with or without this addition.
I used some bread I kept in the fridge. Easy and delicious!
Can you use minced jarred garlic?
Anyhow, this does seem pretty easy, and looks tasty, thanks! Will make it next spaghettin night!
I have not tried the minced from a jar. Let us know if it works. Yes, it’s an easy recipe!
Wow it was very good!!! Can’t wait to try again.
Mine was soggy ish due to too much butter lol but I finished off the butter n didn’t read the part it said to flip n add to the other side so I had to make more butter lol
Yes, you have to flip it over!
easy and delish
I guess dried parsley won’t work?
You can use dried parsley!
Great recipe!