Chef Marco Bellini - Italian Cuisine Expert
👨‍🍳 Italian Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Italian Culinary Institute ⏰ 20+ Years Experience 🍽️ Bread & Pasta Specialist

❤️ My Recipe Story

"Growing up in my nonna's kitchen in Tuscany, I learned that the simplest foods—like perfectly made garlic bread—can steal the show. This recipe combines traditional Italian flavors with fresh herbs from the garden, creating bread that's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside."

Marco specializes in authentic Italian home cooking, focusing on simple recipes that highlight quality ingredients. He's passionate about teaching traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations of Italian cooks.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Golden-brown herbed garlic bread with visible herbs, melted butter, and parmesan cheese, showing crispy edges and soft interior on a rustic wooden board

The Secret to Perfect Garlic Bread

The foundation of exceptional garlic bread starts with quality bread—a crusty French baguette or Italian loaf with a soft, airy interior works best. The contrast between the crispy exterior and pillowy inside creates the perfect texture when coated with herb butter and toasted.

Fresh herbs make all the difference in this recipe. While dried herbs can work in a pinch, fresh parsley, basil, oregano, and thyme provide vibrant flavor and aroma that dried versions simply can't match. The combination creates a complex, restaurant-quality taste that elevates this simple side dish.

💡 Professional Tip

Let the butter come to full room temperature before mixing—it should be soft enough to easily incorporate the herbs and garlic without melting. This ensures even distribution and the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Prepare the bread with herb butter, wrap tightly in foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from the fridge (add 5 minutes) or thaw frozen bread before baking.

French baguettes and Italian loaves work perfectly. Avoid soft sandwich bread—you need a crusty exterior and sturdy interior. Sourdough, ciabatta, or artisan bread also work wonderfully.

Yes, but use one-third the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. So use 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 2 teaspoons dried basil, and 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and thyme.

Use softened butter, not melted, and bake at high heat (400°F). The butter should soak in slightly but not saturate the bread. Serve immediately after baking for best texture.

Substitute with olive oil or vegan butter. Mix herbs and garlic into 120ml (1/2 cup) good quality olive oil. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully. You can also brush the crust edges with olive oil before baking for extra crispiness.

Serve with pasta dishes, Italian soups, salads, lasagna, or any tomato-based meal. It's perfect for soaking up sauce and adds a satisfying crunch to any meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Don't microwave—it makes bread chewy.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Burnt Garlic

Problem: Garlic or edges burn before bread is heated through

Solution: Cover with foil for the first 10 minutes, then uncover to brown. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and bake longer. Mince garlic finely so it doesn't burn.

✅

Soggy Bread

Problem: Bread becomes soggy instead of crispy

Solution: Use softened butter, not melted. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Don't wrap in foil while baking unless bread is browning too quickly.

✅

Uneven Browning

Problem: Some areas brown faster than others

Prevention: Spread butter mixture evenly to the edges. Rotate baking sheet halfway through. Place bread in center of oven for even heat distribution.

✅

Too Much Garlic Flavor

Problem: Garlic taste is too strong or overpowering

Recovery: Reduce garlic to 3-4 cloves. You can also roast garlic first for milder, sweeter flavor. Add more herbs to balance the garlic.

✅

Butter Pools Off Bread

Problem: Herb butter slides off or pools in pan

Prevention: Use room temperature butter that's soft but not melted. Press butter mixture into bread rather than just spreading on surface. Chill prepared bread for 10 minutes before baking.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more garlic, herbs, or a pinch of black pepper for savory depth

Too Salty: Use unsalted butter and reduce or omit added salt; rinse Parmesan if very salty

Bland: Increase garlic, add more fresh herbs, or use aged Parmesan for stronger flavor

Fresh ingredients for herbed garlic bread including a baguette, butter, fresh herbs (parsley, basil, oregano), garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese on a wooden cutting board

Choosing Quality Ingredients

The butter you choose significantly impacts the final flavor. European-style butter with higher fat content creates a richer, creamier herb mixture. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level perfectly, especially when using Parmesan cheese which adds its own saltiness.

Fresh garlic is non-negotiable for authentic garlic bread flavor. Pre-minced jarred garlic lacks the pungency and aroma of fresh cloves. For the best results, mince the garlic finely—larger pieces can burn during baking, creating bitter flavors that overpower the herbs.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Bread Selection: Choose day-old bread for best results—it's slightly dried out and absorbs butter perfectly without getting soggy. Avoid pre-sliced bread as it's usually too thin.
  • Fresh Herbs: Buy fresh herbs the day you plan to make this recipe. Wash and dry them thoroughly—excess water will dilute the butter mixture and create steam during baking.
  • Parmesan Quality: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, not pre-grated. Authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano has superior flavor and melts beautifully. Grate it finely for even distribution.
Herbed garlic bread baking in the oven, showing golden-brown butter bubbling on the surface with herbs and cheese visible

Mastering the Baking Technique

Temperature control is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of crispy exterior and soft interior. A 400°F oven provides enough heat to toast the bread and melt the butter without burning the garlic or herbs. The high heat caramelizes the butter slightly, creating deeper flavor.

Positioning matters—place the bread cut-side up on the middle rack for even heat circulation. If you want extra crispiness, move to the top rack for the final minutes or use the broiler. Watch carefully during broiling, as garlic bread can go from golden to burnt in seconds.

The Butter Application

Don't just spread the butter—press it into the bread using a butter knife or spatula. Get into all the crevices and air pockets. This ensures every bite is flavorful and the butter doesn't slide off during baking.

Herbed Garlic Bread

Prep 10 min
Cook 15 min
Serves 8 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Bread

  • 170g unsalted butter, softened
    Room temperature for easy mixing
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
    Fresh garlic is essential
  • 30g fresh parsley, chopped
    Italian flat-leaf preferred
  • 15g fresh basil, chopped
    Adds sweet, aromatic notes
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano
    Classic Italian herb
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme
    Adds earthy depth
  • 60g Parmesan cheese, grated
    Freshly grated for best flavor

For the Herb Butter

  • 1 large French baguette (450g)
    Or Italian loaf with crusty exterior
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
    Extra virgin for best flavor
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
    Adds brightness to herb butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
    Adjust based on Parmesan saltiness
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    Freshly ground preferred
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
    Optional, for a subtle kick
  • Extra Parmesan for topping
    Creates golden, cheesy crust

Instructions

  1. Prepare Herb Butter

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly until all herbs are evenly distributed.

  2. Slice the Bread

    Cut the baguette in half lengthwise, creating two long halves. If using a round loaf, slice it horizontally. For individual servings, you can also cut diagonal slices three-quarters through the loaf, leaving the bottom intact.

  3. Apply Herb Butter

    Generously spread the herb butter mixture over the cut surfaces of the bread, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Use all of the butter mixture for maximum flavor. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top.

  4. Bake Until Golden

    Place bread on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown and crispy. For extra crispy bread, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  5. Serve Hot

    Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Cut into individual slices and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Make-Ahead Instructions

Prepare herb butter up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze for up to 3 months. The prepared bread can be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for 24 hours or frozen for up to 3 months before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside spaghetti, lasagna, minestrone soup, Caesar salad, or any Italian-inspired meal. Also great for dipping in marinara sauce, olive oil, or balsamic vinegar.

Variations

Try adding sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or mozzarella cheese. For cheesy garlic bread, add more cheese between the slices. Make it spicier with extra red pepper flakes or fresh jalapeños.