Better than Pizza Hut! For a truly religious Garlic Bread experience, skip the fancy bread and use a basic French stick. And don’t even think about skimping on butter!
You can’t order pizza without a side of garlic bread. It would be like ordering a burger at Maccers with no fries. (Oh the sacrilege, talking about so much fast food in one post! 🙈)
And while some people dive straight for the biggest slice of pizza, I always – ALWAYS – go for the garlic bread first.
Who’s with me here??? 🙋🏻♀️
There are tons of different ways to make garlic bread. But for me, the Pizza Hut way will always be the “best” way: a French stick sliced almost all the way through, then each piece slathered with garlic butter, wrapped in foil and baked until toasty.
Which brings me to the one thing I will never budge on when it comes to Garlic Bread. Use as much or little garlic as you want for your taste, adjust the salt, add whatever herbs you desire.
But for a truly epic, classic Garlic Bread experience, my one rule is this:
NO FANCY BREAD ALLOWED
In my world, classic Garlic Bread should always be made with stock standard supermarket or basic bakery French stick / baguette. The crust isn’t that thick, and it’s usually pretty soft rather than crispy. Once slathered with butter and baked in foil, I find it yields the perfect ratio of crust crunch to soft, warm, garlic butter soaked bread.
On the other hand, a thick crust like you get with fancy artisan baguettes is no good – too much crispy crust compared to soft bread inside. Too hard to swallow!
Basic French stick is perfect. See? 😍
Here in Australia, our French sticks are pretty long – usually around 60 cm / 2 feet long, and the diameter ranges from around 7 – 9 cm / 2.7 – 3.5″. Here’s some size context for you. Though actually, Dozer makes that French stick look darn tiny!!!! 😂
Bread aside, I only have one other rule for Garlic Bread: please use real garlic. As much as I will rip into Pizza Hut garlic bread with enthusiasm, there’s no denying that it has an element of sourness to it which is probably due to using jarred garlic because that’s the main difference I notice between fresh and jarred garlic. From the preservatives, I expect.
Hence why homemade Garlic Bread will always be so much better than Pizza Hut. 🙂 Because the garlic is real and fresh!!
Homemade Garlic Bread.
Completely, utterly, ridiculously, insanely, can’t-stop-eating-it delicious.
Put a juicy, perfectly cooked steak and Garlic Bread in front of me, and I’d choose the Garlic Bread every time, any day and twice on Sunday.
These photos are killing me. Gotta stop looking at them! – Nagi x
Nothing beats homemade garlic bread!! Takeout and ready-made garlic bread will never taste as good because the garlic is not fresh and the preservatives usually give it a sour flavour (jarred garlic is a bit sour because of this). For the ultimate Garlic Bread experience, skip the fancy artisan bread and use an economical French stick / baguette with a softish thin crust instead. The ratio of buttery crust to soft bread is perfect! Recipe VIDEO below.
- 1 French stick / baguette , ~ 60cm / 2ft long (Note 1)
- 125 g / 1 US stick unsalted butter , softened
- 2 tsp fresh garlic , minced (~3 - 4 cloves, pack the teaspoon)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp finely chopped parsley
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Preheat oven to 200C/390F (standard) or 180C/350F (fan).
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Cut the French stick in half. Then cut the bread almost all the way through into 2cm / 4/5" thick slices.
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Mix together the butter, garlic, salt and parsley. Taste to see if it's salty / garlicky enough for your taste (Note 2).
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Smear garlic butter over cut side of bread (Note 2).
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Smear remaining butter on the top and sides of the bread.
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Wrap each bread in foil.
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Bake for 15 minutes until the crust is crispy (check through foil).
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Unwrap and serve!
1. You can make Garlic Bread with any bread you choose. However, in my world, classic Garlic Bread should always be made with stock standard supermarket or basic bakery French stick / baguette. The crust isn't that thick, and it's usually pretty soft rather than crispy. Once slathered with butter and baked in foil, I find it yields the perfect ratio of crust crunch to soft, warm, garlic butter soaked bread and it tastes just like Pizza Hut - BUT BETTER!
On the other hand, a thick crust like you get with fancy artisan baguettes is no good - too much crispy crust compared to soft bread inside. Too hard to swallow!
French Stick in Australia is usually around 60 cm / 2 ft long with a diameter of 7 - 9 cm / 2.7 - 3.5".
2. Garlic flavour will reduce slightly once cooked, it's harsh when raw
3. I just smear butter on one side. When the slices press together, the butter melts onto both.
THE “OTHER” GARLIC BREAD
Just in case you missed it, here’s my “other” garlic bread – Cheese & Garlic Crack Bread. Aptly named as such because of how it’s cut and also because it’s said to be garlic bread…. on crack! A bit of fun, great for sharing and ridiculously addictive.
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
LIFE OF DOZER
Little souvenir from Tokyo. He’s not a fan. I think he prefers cotton to polyester. Yeah, that’s the problem. For sure. 🤣
PS I had a vision of making him wear this for every “Life of Dozer” photo for Asian recipes. That’s how I justified this “business cost”….. Poor, poor Dozer…..
Hello Nagi from the loving state of Mississippi!! I am sooooo excited to make your Garlic Bread with my next dish of homemade Meatballs & Spaghetti! Your photos are fabulous and I can almost smell the aroma of your bread now!! Have a Blessed day and I will let you know what my hungry little family thinks!
Have you by chance ever made this in advance and just refrigerated it until you were ready to cook it? Was thinking that it would be nice to prep it before company arrived and just throw it in the oven when we’re ready to eat.
ALL THE TIME! I freeze it too 🙂
I’m with you! Soft garlic bread beats crusty for me any time. And I love that no fancy artisanal bread is needed! Simple and tasty, yet cheap to make—perfect.
Right?? Forget fancy for real garlic bread experience! 😂
Love the garlic bread. No more bland no flavor frozen garlic bread!
That’s wonderful to hear Theresa! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this! N x
This was so delicious Nagi, we were always content with Coles $2 garlic bread but never again! I made this with your spag bo which was super delicious too of course ^.^ Thank you for such a tasty evening!
That’s terrific! So pleased you enjoyed this Amy – N x
Best garlic bread recipe ever!
🙌🏻
Great garlic bread – no more will i buy shop bought. 👌👍😁
So pleased to hear that Justine! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 N x
Times have certainly changed. I remember when the rule was “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” That sentiment has been relaxed a bit in families and within friendships but undoubtedly social media, as well as the current POTUS, share responsibility for the permission to make unkind comments to people you do not know. It is appalling to me that Ms Qazamel felt entitled to deride the happiest part of your blog. You were incredibly polite, Nagi, in your response.
Please don’t stop talking about your life and Dozer and your mom and your travels, it’s what makes your blog so wonderful, puts smiles on many faces and makes the world a better place for those of us who love to read whatever you write. And Dozer in that kimono! He looks fabulous and so elegant.
Take-out pizza here in the states is now including garlic bread bites, I think, but then I don’t do take-out pizza here in the back country of southwestern Missouri. But I’m happy to do garlic bread anytime and I have vague memories of the ’60s and making garlic bread just like your recipe. Very yummy and thanks for all your efforts as well as wonderful recipes.
Thanks for your lovely words of support Faith! I have no plans to change the way I do anything 🙂 I consider this website to be my home, I can’t do with it as I please!!! N xx
Thanks for sharing the recipe Nagi. I tried this garlic bread in a restaurant in Paris last Sept. Was wondering how they made it and really wanted to make it at home.
Oooh hope you try this!!! N xx
Wow! Sandra Q certainly doesn’t know how to give constructive feedback in a polite way. Even more rude due to the fact that you already provide a “recipe” link she was too blind to notice. Please keep up the “waffle” about your life 😊 It’s what makes this a great blog not a boring list of recipes. I feel like this is a wonderful community of people passionate about learning to cook yummy food….and a sprinkle of Dozer for the the warm and fuzzys 🐶💕
Oh, the waffle will continue!!! As will Dozer! 😂 N xx
Listen you Two its3.40 AM and am laughing head off with your photos!! Love, Love the way you try measure Dozer with French stick, BRILIANT!! His new outfit Utah, cotton is better. How old is he? Love, love garlic bread have been making it for years. Oh it’s sooo good in winter with any home made soup. Love both versions, Thank you. Will be going to Art Craft market there is Festival today. Afternoon am making home grown figs jam with ginger. Dear neighbour gave me figs, yum, Love it. When we had big house there was an old fig tree but so plentiful with fruit and jam is the way to go. Nagi I would shared it with you if you were around corner. Have good week!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP AT 3.40 AM??!!!