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This cheesy garlic bread is loaded with three kinds of cheese, fresh herbs, and tons of garlic. You can turn plain French bread into cheesy, garlicky perfection with this easy homemade recipe. It’s the ultimate side dish for busy weeknights.
We love serving this with delicious Italian dishes like Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti, Creamy Garlic Penne with Chicken, and Spaghetti with Chicken.
4 Tips For the Best Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Soften your butter ahead of time. Take the butter out of the fridge at least an hour before you start. Soft butter spreads easily and mixes smoothly with the garlic and herbs.
- Don’t cover the bread while baking. You want the cheese to melt, bubble, and get golden brown on top. Covering it traps steam and prevents that crispy, caramelized finish.
- Let it rest before slicing. Give the bread 5 to 10 minutes to cool after baking. This lets the cheese set so it slices cleanly instead of sliding off.
- Line your pan with foil. The garlic butter and cheese can stick and caramelize on the pan. A foil-lined baking sheet makes cleanup much easier.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make the Best Cheesy Garlic Bread
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
This three-cheese garlic bread comes together fast. Just mix up a quick garlic butter, spread it on French bread, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden.
Step 1: Make the Garlic Butter
Start by mixing 5 minced garlic cloves with a stick of softened butter. Stir in about a tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley.
You can use dried parsley instead (about half a tablespoon), but fresh adds a nice pop of color and flavor.
- TIP: If you’re short on time, you can use garlic powder in place of fresh garlic. Use about 1 teaspoon, but fresh garlic gives you a bolder, more aromatic flavor.
Step 2: Prep and Spread the Butter
Slice your French bread loaf in half lengthwise and place both halves cut-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet.
I try to get the freshest loaves I can because they just taste better, but even a loaf from the discounted day-old section will work fine.
Spread the garlic butter generously over each half. Make sure the butter reaches all the way to the edges so every bite is flavorful.
Step 3: Pile on the Cheese
This recipe uses a combination of mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and parmesan. The mozzarella gives you that classic stretchy, melty texture. The cheddar and parmesan add a nice sharp bite that balances the richness.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded, so grate your own if you can.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly over both halves of the bread, then add a little more parsley on top for color.
Step 4: Bake and Broil
Bake the bread in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the edges of the bread should start to turn golden.
For that perfectly browned, bubbly top, turn on the broiler and broil for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this step because it can go from golden to burnt quickly. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is bubbling and has golden-brown spots.
- Quick Note: The broiling step is optional. If you prefer a softer top or don’t want to babysit the broiler, you can skip it and just bake for 10 to 12 minutes total.
Variations
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter, or top with slices of pickled jalapeños before baking.
- Different Cheeses: Fontina, provolone, white cheddar, or asiago all work beautifully. Mix and match based on what you have.
- Different Breads: French bread is classic, but ciabatta, sourdough, or Italian bread work great too. Sourdough adds a nice tangy flavor that pairs well with the garlic butter. In a pinch, you can even use sandwich rolls or hot dog buns.
- Pre-Sliced for Freezing: Instead of cutting the loaf in half, slice it into individual pieces before prepping. This makes it easy to grab just a few slices from the freezer when you need them.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic bread is one of my go-to side dishes because it’s easy to prepare and everyone loves it. I love that I can serve it with just about anything, from Italian recipes, to soups to salads to just regular old baked chicken.
It’s definitely the most requested side dish in our house! My kids enjoy the leftovers with some Homemade Marinara Sauce for dipping. Here are some ideas for a main course:
- Easy Crockpot Chili
- Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta
- Crispy Chicken Carbonara
- Italian Bean Soup
- Italian Spaghetti Salad
- Tortellini Soup
Storage Tips
Storage, Freezing, Make Ahead
- Storage: Place leftovers in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results. The microwave works in a pinch, but the bread won’t be as crispy.
- Make-Ahead and Freezing: This recipe is an excellent candidate for making ahead. I often make a double batch so I can just pull it out of the freezer when the mood strikes.
- To freeze, prep the loaves and top with the cheese, then flash freeze on a baking sheet for 1 to 2 hours. Once they’re frozen solid, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To cook from frozen, unwrap and place on a baking sheet. Bake as directed, adding about 10 minutes to the cook time. Keep an eye on it and tent with foil if the top starts to brown before the bread is fully warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bread is best for garlic bread?
The best kinds of bread are soft on the inside and crusty on the outside. A thick loaf of French bread or a hearty Italian loaf will give you the best results. Ciabatta and sourdough also work well if you want a little more texture or flavor. In a pinch, even sliced sandwich bread or hot dog buns will do the job.
How do you get the cheese to melt without burning the bread?
Start by baking at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This gives the cheese time to melt and the bread time to warm through without browning too quickly. If you want a golden, bubbly top, finish with 2 to 3 minutes under the broiler, but watch it closely. If the top starts browning before the bread is heated through, tent loosely with foil.
Can you make cheesy garlic bread in an air fryer?
Yes! Place the prepared bread in the air fryer basket (you may need to cut it to fit) and cook at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Check it halfway through to make sure it’s not browning too fast.
Can you use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
You can, but fresh garlic gives you a bolder, more aromatic flavor. If you’re using garlic powder, start with about 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste. You can also use jarred minced garlic in a pinch.
How do you keep the bread from getting soggy?
Don’t cover the bread while it bakes. Covering traps steam and makes the bread soft instead of crispy. Also, make sure you’re using softened (not melted) butter so it spreads evenly without soaking into the bread.
More Cheesy Bread Recipes
- Taco Stuffed Bread
- Buffalo Ranch Chicken French Bread Pizza
- Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza
- Air Fryer Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- Homemade Garlic Breadsticks
Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 loaf french bread
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley divided
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup fresh grated Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Place each half, cut side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Stir together the softened butter, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley. Spread the mixture evenly over each half of the bread, making sure to reach the edges.
- Combine all three cheeses in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered bread. Top with the remaining parsley.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. For a golden, bubbly top, turn on the broiler and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the bread rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Soft butter is essential. Take the butter out of the fridge at least an hour before starting so it mixes smoothly with the garlic.
- Don’t cover the bread while baking. You want the cheese to brown and bubble, not steam.
- Let it rest before slicing. Waiting 5 to 10 minutes allows the cheese to set so it doesn’t slide off when you cut it.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded, which often contains anti-caking agents.
- Garlic powder substitute: Use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- To freeze: Prep and top with cheese, flash freeze for 1 to 2 hours, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Add 10 minutes to bake time when cooking from frozen.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Everything looks scrumptious!
Definitely the best garlic bread I have ever eaten.
Will be making this again!!
Thank you.
You are so welcome Rosanne! Thanks for stopping by to share.
Easy and it came out wonderful.thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
You are so welcome Deborah! Thanks for stopping by.
Absolutely perfect! Thank you very much!
Thank you. You are so welcome Deborah!
This is easy and delicious bread! Best garlic bread yet. I serve as an appetizer with drinks before dinner and everyone scoffs it down. If any leftovers they are great heated in the oven the next day. So simple and so good! Thanks!
You are so welcome Nancy! Love your feedback, thanks for stopping by.
So easy and delicious! I bought Italian bread before I found a recipe. Next time I’ll try with French bread. Since it’s just two of us now, I immediately froze the other half for another meal.
Love the feedback Erin! Thanks for stopping by.