Cheesy Garlic Bread

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My kids love garlic bread so much, and this one has been their favorite so far. The flavor is so good and it is super simple to make with just 5 minutes of prep time and ready to serve in less than 30 minutes. Perfect as an appetizer or side.

garlic bread sliced lengthwise on a cutting board.

There is something so comforting and satisfying about garlic bread. It’s a comfort food that everyone reaches for especially if you love bread! Sliced French bread, topped with the garlic butter sauce mixture and mozzarella cheese, baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and the sides of the bread are crispy! Drooling yet? 😁

I make this usually with a garlic sauce I get from Costco called TOOM garlic dip. It is amazing and I love using it on many of my recipes and works so well with this garlic bread. If you do not have the dip/sauce handy, you can easily make it at home. Check out my post on how to make Lebanese Garlic sauce dip.

Ingredients needed for garlic bread

Below is a list of ingredients you will need to make this delicious cheesy garlic bread. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.

ingredients to make garlic bread laid out.

1 loaf French bread or baguette
Olive oil: or you can use avocado oil
Unsalted butter: softened olive oil base, even though you may skip this ingredient, I do recommend it. It’s all about finding a balance.
Garlic Dip or sauce: You can buy this from Costco, I use the TOOM garlic dip, or you can easily make this. It’s a homemade toum garlic sauce. If you decide to not use this ingredient, then just use 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: or you can use any other melty cheese like gruyere
Grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste, about 1/8 tsp each

How to make cheesy garlic bread

Below I will show you step-by-step how to make this garlic bread. It is super easy and only needs a few simple steps.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

a bowl with all the garlic sauce ingredients.

Step 1: In a medium bowl, add the garlic sauce or minced garlic, olive oil, butter, Parmesan cheese, and parsley, Mix to combine. Set aside.

Hand-slicing a french bread in the middle.

Step 2: Slice the French bread in half lengthwise.

Hand using a spatula and spreading the garlic sauce on sliced bread.

Step 3: Evenly Spread the garlic mixture onto each of the bread halves.

hand adding shredded cheese over sliced bread.

Step 4: Next, top with shredded mozzarella.

Step 5: Bake for 15-16 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the bread is crusty.

Step 6: Slice the cheesy garlic bread and serve. Enjoy.

Tips for sucCess

Recipe Notes and Tips

Do not over bake, the cheese will burn. You want to take is out when the cheese is fully melted and bubbly and the sides of the bread turns golden brown.
You may use any bread of your choice.
Don’t worry if you do not have the garlic dip. You may make it yourself. Its this Lebanese garlic sauce or just use 2 minced garlic cloves.
If you do not have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley.
If you want to use less cheese, then I suggest you use 2/3 cup (1/3 cup on each slice). But I find that a full cup will give you that cheese satisfaction.

How to make the garlic bread in the air fryer

If you prefer to make this garlic bread in your air fryer instead of your oven you can. Simply follow these steps below.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 F.
You will mix the sauce ingredients and set aside.
Slice the bread into two halves like I did above. If they don’t fit in your air fryer basket, you will want to cut each slice in half right in the middle.
Using a spoon or spatula spread the sauce over the bread. Top with shredded cheese.
Air fry for 6-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted and bubbly.

Common Questions

What type of bread is best for garlic bread?

Crust bread works best for making garlic bread. This is because you will still get that crusty bottom and texture without worrying about the bread getting soggy. I like to use French bread, ciabatta, Italian loaf, or baguettes.

what type of cheese to use for cheesy garlic bread?

Shredded Parmesan and mozzarella are usually used, but any melty cheese will work just fine, such as Monterey Jack, cheddar cheese, gouda, fontina, and Pepperjack.

Is it better to use garlic powder or garlic salt when making garlic bread?

If you decide to not use garlic sauce or fresh garlic. Garlic powder is an option. If you are using salted butter, then use normal garlic powder. If you are using unsalted butter, then garlic salt is fine.

Can garlic bread be eaten cold?

Yes. If you do not want to reheat the garlic bread, you can certainly enjoy it cold.

Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?

My recipe calls for the garlic sauce. If you do not have it or want to make it from scratch, I recommend using 2-3 minced fresh garlic cloves. Some may use garlic powder for a less pungent flavor which also works.

pieces of garlic bread stacked over each other.

Storing and reheating garlic bread

Storing: To store any leftovers, simply place them in containers or ziplock bags and place them in the fridge for up to one week. You may freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: You can either reheat in the microwave or use a toaster oven to reheat them until they are heated through. Preheat the oven to 350 F and reheat for 5-7 minutes.

What to serve with garlic bread