Roasted Garlic Bread Recipe

French bread: A classic loaf that provides the perfect base for the garlic butter mixture.

Garlic: Roasting the garlic brings out its natural sweetness and mellows its flavor.

Butter: Softened butter is essential for mixing with the roasted garlic and spreading evenly on the bread.

Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds a touch of freshness and color to the garlic butter.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the garlic butter mixture.

When roasting the garlic, make sure to drizzle it with enough olive oil to keep it moist and prevent it from burning. Wrapping it tightly in foil will help to steam the garlic as it roasts, resulting in a sweeter and more caramelized flavor. After roasting, allow the garlic to cool slightly before handling to avoid burns and to make it easier to squeeze out the cloves.

• 1 loaf french bread - Substitute with ciabatta: Ciabatta has a similar texture and crust, making it a good alternative for garlic bread.

• 1 loaf french bread - Substitute with baguette: A baguette offers a similar crispy exterior and soft interior, perfect for garlic bread.

• 1 head garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for a milder garlic flavor if fresh garlic is unavailable.

• 1 head garlic - Substitute with roasted shallots: Roasted shallots provide a sweet and mild flavor similar to roasted garlic.

• ½ cup softened butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used for a healthier alternative, providing a rich flavor and moisture.

• ½ cup softened butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a dairy-free alternative with a similar consistency to butter.

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley - Substitute with chopped basil: Basil offers a fresh, aromatic flavor that complements garlic bread well.

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley - Substitute with chopped cilantro: Cilantro provides a different but refreshing flavor that pairs nicely with garlic.

• ¼ teaspoon salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used for a slightly different texture and flavor profile.

• ¼ teaspoon salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has larger grains and can enhance the flavor of the garlic bread similarly to regular salt.

• To store leftover roasted garlic bread, allow it to cool completely to prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
• Wrap the cooled bread tightly in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out.
• For short-term storage, keep the wrapped bread at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to store it longer, consider freezing.
• To freeze, first wrap the bread in plastic wrap, ensuring there are no exposed areas. Then, place the wrapped bread in a freezer-safe bag or another airtight container.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. Frozen garlic bread can be stored for up to 3 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the bread at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the thawed bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until it’s warmed through and crispy.
• For a quicker option, you can also reheat individual slices in a toaster oven or microwave, though the texture may be slightly different.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap the leftover roasted garlic bread in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  3. Place the wrapped bread on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until it is warmed through and the butter has melted again.
  4. For a crispier texture, open the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of reheating.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover garlic bread directly on the rack or on a small baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, checking frequently to ensure it doesn't burn.
  4. If you prefer a softer texture, you can wrap the bread in foil before placing it in the toaster oven.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover garlic bread on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds, or until warmed through.
  4. Note: This method may not keep the bread as crispy as the oven methods.

• Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the leftover garlic bread in the skillet, buttered side down.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the bread heat evenly.
  4. Heat for about 2-3 minutes, then flip and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover garlic bread in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. This method will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and soft.

• Oven: Used to preheat and bake the garlic and bread to achieve the desired roasted and crispy texture.

• Knife: Essential for cutting the top off the garlic head and slicing the french bread loaf in half.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the garlic and bread.

• Aluminum foil: Used to wrap the garlic head for roasting.

• Baking sheet: Holds the bread halves while they bake in the oven.

• Mixing bowl: Where you will mash the roasted garlic and mix it with the butter, parsley, and salt.

• Fork: Useful for mashing the roasted garlic cloves.

• Spatula: Helps in spreading the garlic butter mixture evenly on the bread halves.

• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of parsley and salt.

• Pastry brush: Optional, but can be used to spread the garlic butter mixture more evenly on the bread.

Roast garlic in advance: Roast the garlic ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can skip the roasting step when you need it.

Use pre-sliced bread: Buy pre-sliced french bread to save time on cutting.

Soften butter quickly: If you forgot to soften the butter, cut it into small pieces and let it sit at room temperature for faster softening.

Pre-mix garlic butter: Prepare the garlic butter mixture in bulk and store it in the fridge. Use it whenever you need to make garlic bread quickly.