Cheesy Garlic Bread is toasty and crispy on the outside, tender and soft inside with a garlic butter spread topped with melty cheese. This comforting appetizer is easy to make in under 20 minutes — including prep!
No matter when or how it’s served, for Garlic Bread with cheese is always one of the best parts of any meal. The whole family will go wild for it! From the moment you take one bite, you’ll never want to go back to freezer garlic bread again.
Why You'll Love this Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Real ingredients. Ditch the ready-made garlic bread from the freezer aisle and make this garlic bread instead! It’s made with just a few whole, uncomplicated ingredients that you’re probably already familiar with.
- Ready in 20 minutes. It takes only five minutes to make this garlic bread recipe before you can pop into in the oven to toast and melt the cheese. After 15 minutes, you’ll have hot, gooey, garlicky cheese bread on the table!
- The best flavors and texture. A simple combination of French bread, butter, minced garlic, cheese, and some seasoning come together to make a side with a cheesy crust, soft center, and rich flavor that will entice dinner guests to finish it completely before they even look at the rest of the meal! It’s fast, fresh, and oh-so-tasty. Love at first bite!
- Delicious side to a comforting dinner. Garlic bread with cheese is the ultimate companion to comforting dinners, especially Italian entrees such as spaghetti, lasagna, baked ziti, penne, and even macaroni!
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Cheesy Garlic Bread, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- French bread - you can make a loaf at home for this garlic bread, use a store-bought loaf, or swap out the french bread with a rustic italian, ciabatta, or sourdough bread instead.
- butter - this recipe calls for salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter and add salt to taste as needed.
- olive oil
- garlic - freshly minced garlic provides better flavor, but you can use 1 teaspoon of minced garlic from a jar for every clove called for in the recipe.
- salt and pepper
- mozzarella - you can also use a plant-based mozzarella substitute or a similar cheese like provolone.
- parmesan - try swapping the parmesan for pecorino romano, asiago, or a vegan-friendly substitute like nutritional yeast.
- parsley - you can use dried parsley flakes if you don’t have fresh parsley on hand.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, half sheet baking pan, and mixing bowl.
How to Make the Best Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Slice bread. Slice the French bread in half, lengthwise. Place the bread, cut side up, on a large half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Make garlic topping. In a small mixing bowl, add butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and stir to combine until smooth. Spread the garlic mixture evenly over the halved bread.
- Add cheese. Top with mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil. Turn on the broiler and broil on HI for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese becomes golden brown and the edges of the bread become crispy.
- Serve. Slice and serve.
Recipe Variations
- Switch up the cheese. You can easily customize garlic bread by switching up the cheese that you use on top. Opt for a cheese that melts well such as provolone, cheddar, or gouda.
- Change the herbs. We topped our garlic bread with fresh parsley. You can change it with other fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, or basil for a total flavor twist. You could even use dried herbs such as dried parsley, Italian seasoning or oregano.
How to Serve
We like serving Cheesy Garlic Bread on its own as a quick appetizer or snack or with a side of marinara for dipping. You can also serve it with an Italian-inspired dinner including chopped salads, hearty soups, and practically any kind of pasta!
Some of our favorite meals to serve garlic bread with are:
- Asparagus Chopped Salad
- Minestrone Soup
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Caesar Salad
- White Bean Soup with Kale
- Vegetarian Bolognese
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Don’t cut it all right away. Garlic bread will store better if it’s uncut because it creates fewer edges to dry out. If you’re not completely certain you’ll go through the entire batch in one sitting, cut a few pieces at a time and store the remainder of the loaf (if you have any leftover).
- Make ahead and freeze. You may already know this, but garlic bread is incredibly freezer-friendly! Prepare the ingredients as instructed and then skip the oven and freeze the uncooked garlic bread on a sheet pan before wrapping tightly in plastic cling wrap and storing in the freezer for up to 3 months, for an even easier side that you can quickly grab and bake directly from frozen.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
You can store leftover cheesy garlic bread in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days or refrigerate it for up to one week.
How to Reheat
Reheat garlic bread in a 300F preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until warm and cheesy is melty again.
How to Freeze
Wrap pieces of garlic bread individually in plastic cling wrap and then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can reheat it without thawing in the oven or air fryer. Just add a few minutes to the reheating time.
More Cheesy Appetizer Recipes
- 75+ Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Cheesy Garlic Dinner Rolls
- Baked Ricotta
- Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Baked Mozzarella Sticks
- Jalapeño Poppers
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.
Print
Cheesy Garlic Bread
-
Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
-
Total Time: 25 minutes
-
Yield: 12 servings
Description
Cheesy Garlic Bread is toasty and crispy on the outside, tender and soft inside with a garlic butter spread topped with melty cheese. This comforting appetizer is easy to make in under 20 minutes — including prep!
- 1 (15 ounce) loaf French bread
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- fresh parsley (optional, for serving)
- Preheat oven to 375F. Line a large half sheet baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Slice the French bread in half, lengthwise. Place the bread, cut side up, on the lined baking sheet.
- In a small mixing bowl, add butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and stir to combine until smooth.
- Spread the garlic mixture evenly over the halved bread. Top with mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Turn on the broiler and broil on HI for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese becomes golden brown and the edges of the bread become crispy.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
How to store: You can store leftover cheesy garlic bread in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days or refrigerate it for up to one week.
How to reheat: Reheat garlic bread in a 300F preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes until warm and cheesy is melty again.
How to freeze: Wrap pieces of garlic bread individually in plastic cling wrap and then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can reheat it without thawing in the oven or air fryer. Just add a few minutes to the reheating time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine:
