The best homemade garlic bread recipe is the ultimate upgrade—stuffed with cheesy goodness, buttery garlic, and only FIVE ingredients. Minimal effort, maximum flavor. Perfect for football parties, casual dinners with spaghetti, risotto, or even a pizza night side. Plus, it’s easy, vegetarian (or vegan), and the kind of homemade garlic bread recipe you can't get enough of.
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CHEESY STUFFED GARLIC BREAD
Garlic bread is an everyday classic, but when it’s stuffed with cheesy, buttery goodness. It’s the perfect complement to just about any meal, especially alongside a cheesy quiche or baked pasta. Get your French bread, your butter, and your cheese ready—you’re in for the best garlic bread of your life.
❤️ HERE'S WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- 5 ingredients. Yup, just five.
- It’s cheesy, garlicky, buttery—basically all the best things in life wrapped into one.
- Perfect for football parties, pizza night, or when you need something easy but extra.
- It's vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy it!
A FEW OTHER DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TRY NEXT
🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS
FRENCH LOAF: Also known as a baguette. It should be about 60cm / 2ft long. Choose a crusty, dense bread like a baguette or Italian loaf that can hold all that cheesy, buttery goodness without getting soggy.
UNSALTED BUTTER: Softened
FRESH GARLIC: Minced (about 3-4 cloves): Minced fresh garlic packs more flavor than pre-chopped or garlic powder.
PARSLEY: Fresh is best
MOZZARELLA CHEESE: You can mix in a bit of Parmesan or cheddar FOR EXTRA FLAVOR.
🥖 TOP TIP
❗️ Stale, day-old bread is best for stuffed garlic bread because it's slightly firmer, making it easier to slice and stuff without falling apart. The drier texture also absorbs the buttery garlic mixture better, ensuring every bite is flavorful without becoming soggy during baking.
👩🏼🍳 HOW TO MAKE THE BEST STUFFED GARLIC BREAD
Note: Please scroll to the full printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the method.
Step 1: Slice It Up!
Grab your French stick and slice it into sections, but don’t go all the way through—think of it like creating little pockets. Each slice should be about 2cm (1 inch) thick. Pro tip: go slow to keep the bread intact.
Step 2: Butter Time!
Time to mix up your garlic butter. Combine that softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and parsley in a bowl. Now, open up each slice and generously slather it in the buttery mix. Leave a little butter for the top.
Step 3: Get Cheesy
Now comes the best part—cheese! Stuff a bit of shredded mozzarella into each slice. The more, the better! When this bakes, you’re going to have melty, gooey mozzarella peeking out from every bite. Pure heaven.
Step 4: Wrap It Up
Rub the extra butter right over the top of the bread for double the flavor and crispy golden edges. Yes, we’re going all in! Wrap your garlic bread in foil. This keeps it soft and steamy while in the oven. You want that inside soft and cheesy, while the outside gets crispy.
Step 5: Bake It
Pop your foil-wrapped bread into a preheated 200°C / 390°F oven for 15 minutes or until the crust is crispy. Be careful when you check- there will be hot steam.
Step 6: Serve It Hot, Hot, Hot!
Serve it immediately. Whether you’re dunking it in marinara or pairing it with a giant plate of spaghetti. Enjoy!
📝 TIPS AND TRICKS
Don't Skimp on the Butter
- Be generous when spreading the butter mix inside the bread slits to ensure. Remember to spread extra butter on top of the loaf before wrapping it up.
Add Herbs
- Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley or basil into your butter mixture.
Serve Hot
- Stuffed garlic bread is best served right out of the oven when the cheese is melted and stretchy. It’s perfect for that Instagram-worthy cheese pull!
Spice is Nice
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a bit of chopped jalapeño.
❓ FAQS
Yes, Use vegan butter: Swap regular butter for a plant-based butter alternative.
Vegan cheese: Replace mozzarella and other cheeses with good-quality vegan cheese that melts well, like cashew-based or soy-based cheese.
Yes, just substitute it with gluten-free bread. Make sure the bread is sturdy enough to handle the stuffing.
Yes, Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Air fry for 8-10 minutes, checking halfway to ensure the cheese is melting and the bread is heating evenly. Keep an eye on the bread, as air fryers cook faster than ovens.
Absolutely! Feel free to add ingredients like cooked bacon, pepperoni, or jalapeños to customize your stuffed garlic bread.
Yes, but stale or day-old bread holds up better during slicing and stuffing. Fresh bread can get too soft and may become soggy when absorbing the butter mixture.
MAKE-AHEAD, STORAGE AND REHEATING
MAKE-AHEAD
You can prepare the stuffed garlic bread in advance. Assemble the bread, stuff it with the garlic butter mixture and cheese, then wrap it tightly in foil. Store the wrapped bread in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
STORAGE
Leftovers: After baking, store any leftover stuffed garlic bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil.
Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze the stuffed garlic bread. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
REHEATING
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the bread and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes, checking frequently to avoid over-browning.
Microwave: For a quick reheat, microwave the bread on a microwave-safe plate for 30-60 seconds. Note that this method might not make the bread crispy. ❗️Remember to remove the foil before putting it in the microwave!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚
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THE BEST STUFFED GARLIC BREAD
- Total Time: 10 min prep + 15 min bake
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
The best homemade garlic bread recipe is the ultimate upgrade—stuffed with cheesy goodness, buttery garlic, and only FIVE ingredients. Minimal effort, maximum flavor. Perfect for football parties, casual dinners with spaghetti, or even a pizza night side. Plus, it’s easy, vegetarian (or vegan), and the kind of homemade garlic bread recipe you can't get enough of.
Ingredients
1 French stick/baguette ( about 60cm / 2ft long)
125g / 1 US stick unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp fresh garlic, minced (about 3-4 cloves)
¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
2 tsp finely chopped parsley
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
tin foil to wrap and bake the bread in
Instructions
Grab your French stick and slice it into sections, but don’t go all the way through—think of it like creating little pockets. Each slice should be about 2cm (1 inch) thick. Pro tip: go slow to keep the bread intact.
Time to mix up your garlic butter. Combine that softened butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper and parsley in a bowl. Now, open up each slice and generously slather it in the buttery mix. Leave a little butter for the top.
Now comes the best part—cheese! Stuff a bit of shredded mozzarella into each slice. The more, the better! When this bakes, you’re going to have melty, gooey mozzarella peeking out from every bite. Pure heaven.
Rub the extra butter right over the top of the bread for double the flavor and crispy golden edges. Yes, we’re going all in! Wrap your garlic bread in foil. This keeps it soft and steamy while in the oven. You want that inside soft and cheesy, while the outside gets crispy.
Pop your foil-wrapped bread into a preheated 200°C / 390°F oven for 15 minutes or until the crust is crispy. be careful when you check- there will be hot steam.
Serve it immediately. Whether you’re dunking it in marinara or pairing it with a giant plate of spaghetti. Enjoy!
Notes
SERVE HOT: Stuffed garlic bread is best served right out of the oven when the cheese is melted and stretchy. It's perfect for that Instagram-worthy cheese pull!
SPICE IS NICE: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a bit of chopped jalapeno.
MAKE-AHEAD: You can prepare the stuffed garlic bread in advance. Assemble the bread, stuff it with the garlic butter mixture and cheese, then wrap it tightly in foil. Store it wrapped bread in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
STORAGE: After baking, store any leftover stuff garlic bread in an airtight container or wrap it in foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FREEZING: For longer storage, you can freeze the stuffed garlic bread. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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