This Old School Garlic Bread Spread recipe (made with Garlic Powder!) is buttery, salty, herby perfection that turns any piece of bread into a golden brown, garlicky dream. It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together in minutes for the easiest garlic bread recipe ever.
Why You’ll Love It
If you're looking for the best garlic bread spread recipe that uses garlic powder and tastes like an old school Nonna’s garlic bread—then welcome home, my carb-loving friend. This easy garlic butter spread is packed with parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and a bunch of pantry-staple dried herbs. It magically transforms pretty much any type of bread into total comfort food!
We’re talking about a stick of butter (real butter, always!), fresh parsley for color, italian seasoning, some parm, and a little flaky salt to make that classic garlic butter mixture that we all know and love.
I used a french baguette, but honestly, this stuff tastes amazing on literally anything—white bread, texas toast, leftover hamburger buns, or even hot dog buns in a pinch. There is no shame in my bread game when it comes to this homemade garlic spread recipe. Just grab your favorite bread from the grocery store, slap this spread on top, bake for 10-15 minutes, and you’ve got with the most savory garlic flavor imaginable.
And here’s the best part—it stores beautifully. Pop any leftover compound butter into ice cube trays, wrap 'em up in plastic wrap or toss them in a freezer bag, and boom—instant garlic toast vibes whenever you want. You can also keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week if you're planning ahead (or just lazy like me).
It’s the perfect garlic bread recipe for everything from pasta night to party apps. And whether you’re using cold butter, room temperature butter, or even experimenting with butter substitutes or olive oil, this homemade garlic bread recipe gives you the base to riff in all kinds of delicious directions.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are all the simple ingredients you'll need for this easy garlic bread spread with garlic powder. Feel free to switch up the ingredients but be sure to keep the butter and garlic powder ratios the same!
- Salted butter: I use salted real butter for the best flavor in this easy garlic bread recipe. If you're using unsalted butter, just add a pinch more flaky salt to your buttery goodness.
- Parsley: Dried or fresh parsley works! You can also swap in other fresh herbs like basil or thyme.
- Garlic powder: This gives you that nostalgic garlic bread flavor we grew up with. You can mix in a little onion powder or garlic salt if you want to layer the flavor. Want more bite? Add some minced garlic or fresh garlic too!
- Italian seasoning: A pantry staple and my go-to when I'm trying to use minimal ingredients! If you don’t have it, just mix up some oregano, thyme, and basil. Some red pepper flaeks would also be a great addition to this delicious homemade garlic bread if you like some spice!
- Parmesan cheese: Use grated for that salty, cheesy umami kick. If you want cheesy garlic bread, feel free to sprinkle extra on top before baking.
- Flaky salt: This helps bring out all the flavor. You could also sub with kosher salt if that’s what you’ve got.
- Baguette: I used a classic good quality french baguette, but feel free to grab a loaf of french bread, italian bread, or even slice up a fresh baked bread loaf into thick slices. Basically, any bread slice will do if you’ve got the right spread.
How to Make It
Here are the step by step instructions on making a piece of garlic bread using garlic powder. It's so easy to do and there's a reason it was on my dining room table every night growing up!
MAKE THE GARLIC BUTTER MIXTURE: Add softened salted butter to a small bowl, then add parsley, garlic powder, italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and flaky salt.
MIX IT UP: Use a fork or wooden spoon to stir everything together until fully combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning—it should be a little on the salty side!
PREP THE BREAD: When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven.
BAKE IT UP: Place the bread on a foil-lined or parchment paper-lined or aluminum foil lined large baking sheet or sheet pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden brown and crisp to your liking. 10 minutes will lend to a softer garlic bread, 15 minutes will lead to a crispier garlic bread.
COOL & SLICE: Let the bread rest for 5 minutes before slicing into individual pieces and serving. Serve this great garlic bread warm for maximum buttery impact.
What to pair with it?
Here are some of my favorite italian recipes that are a match made in heaven for some great loaf of garlic bread!
- Rigatoni Amatriciana
- Spicy Vodka Rigatoni
- Tortilla Pizza
- Asparagus Prosciutto Bundles
- Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Wrap
Recipe
Old School Garlic Bread Spread with Garlic Powder
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 stick Salted butter softened (8 tbsp)
- 1 tablespoon Parsley Fresh
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning no salt added
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ teaspoon Flaky salt
- 1 large Baguette
Instructions
- Add softened butter to a small bowl, then add parsley, garlic powder, italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and flaky salt.
- Use a fork to stir it together until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning—it should taste a little on the saltier side.
- When ready to make the garlic bread, preheat oven to 400°F.
- Carefully cut the baguette in half, lengthwise, then smear each side equally with a layer of the garlic butter spread—making sure to coat the entire surface.
- Place on a foil-lined large baking sheet and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until it’s golden brown and reaches your desired doneness.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before chopping into pieces and serving.
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