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Garlic lovers, unite! 🧄 If you’re looking for a lightening-fast way to upgrade your store-bought bread, you can stop your scrolling. My quick and easy, delectably cheesy Garlic Bread Baguette recipe requires just 5 simple ingredients and only about 5 minutes of prep! Plus, it’s absolutely perfect for pairing with everything. 😉

Need more garlic bread in your life? Check out my Air Fryer Garlic Bread next … it may just be my favorite way to prepare the garlicky cheesy carb.

closeup shot of garlic bread slice with tons of garlic butter.

About/Why You’ll Love This Garlic Bread Baguette Recipe

Bread is one of those staple foods that I’m happy to welcome at nearly any meal. Whether it’s a sweet quick bread for breakfast, a cream cheese-stuffed nugget of deliciousness for an appetizer, any of the approximately gazillion different sandwiches you can make for lunch or dinner, or even just a hunk of crusty goodness to sop up every last drop of your soup or pasta sauce, it’s essentially the culinary jack-of-all-trades.

And, while there are dozens of delicious breads to choose from — soft white sandwich bread, unleavened naan, & tangy sourdough to name a few — you just can’t go wrong with this baguette garlic bread. Seriously — it’s my go-to recipe for nearly any occasion!

Aside from being a snap to make, this cheesy, buttery garlic baguette bread recipe is also:

  • Made With Only 5 Ingredients – All you have to do is whip up a 4-ingredient garlic butter and slather it on your baguette. Easy, peasy!
  • Crusty On The Outside & Soft In The Middle – It’s the perfect balance of textures.
  • Ideal For Serving With Nearly Any Savory Dish – While it’s perfect for rounding out any Italian-inspired meal, this buttery, carby French baguette garlic bread is also a delight with everything from zippy buffalo chicken-stuffed zucchini and tender chicken nuggets to parmesan-crusted fish and tuna lettuce wraps.
hero shot of slices of garlic bread baguette lined up on a serving platter.

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this simple baguette garlic bread recipe. Here’s what to grab:

  • French Baguette – I’m a fan of the heavy crust-to-interior ratio of a traditional skinny French baguette, so I personally think it’s the best bread for garlic bread. That said, you’re welcome to swap in any crusty bread shape like a round boulé or an oblong batard.
  • Salted Butter – If possible, opt for extra creamy European-style butter like Plugra or Kerrygold for the best flavor.
  • Fresh Garlic – I LOVE garlic, so I use enough to keep the vampires at bay. 🧛Feel free to dial down the intensity by using a more “reasonable” amount. 😂
  • Parmesan Cheese – Because cheesy garlic bread > plain garlic bread from french bread.
  • Fresh Parsley – For a touch of color and lemony freshness. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs like oregano or thyme, or feel free to swap in about ⅓ as much dried parsley instead.
ingredients needed to make garlic bread baguette on a white table.

Equipment 

How To Make Garlic Bread Baguette

Making my garlic bread with a baguette is a snap. Here’s how it’s done:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Step 1: Make Garlic Butter. Add the butter, garlic, cheese, and parsley to a mixing bowl.  Combine thoroughly. Set aside.

garlic butter ingredients added to a bowl.
process shot — cheesy garlic butter in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Cut Bread. Carefully cut slices, about ½ inch in thickness, into the French baguette loaf without going completely through the loaf. You’ll want to keep it intact to stuff it, sort of like these hasselback tomatoes.

process shot — baguette that has been sliced through like a hasselback potato.

Step 3: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly between all the slices of the baguette, leaving a bit of the mixture to spread on top of the baguette as well.

process shot — garlic butter has been spread over the top and between each of the slices of the hasselback baguette.

Step 4: Wrap up the garlic-buttered baguette in aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes. 

process shot — foil-wrapped baguette halves on a baking sheet.

Step 5: Add Cheese. Unwrap the top of the baguette, add extra parmesan cheese on top, and place it back in the oven. Broil on high for about 3 minutes to crisp up the bread and melt the cheese. Keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn.

Step 6: Serve. Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve and enjoy!

overhead shot of baguettes on the foil after broiling.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

As much as I love this garlic bread baguette recipe, there are plenty of ways you can make it your own. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

  • Dairy-Free/Vegan – Traditionally speaking, baguettes are made with little more than bread flour, water, and salt, so they should be vegan-friendly. (Just double-check your labels!) Then, just swap in your favorite plant-based butter and parmesan cheese substitute for a totally vegan side.
  • Gluten-Free – Use your favorite gluten-free baguette or artisan bread.
  • Roast Your Garlic – Tame the bite of your garlic by roasting the whole head first. Cut off the top ½ inch or so of the head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil, wrap it in foil, and roast at 400F for about 30-40 minutes. When the garlic is soft and lightly browned, squeeze it out into a bowl to cool, then mash and proceed to make the butter.
  • Add Some Heat – If you’re a fan of spice, consider adding about ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the butter mix.
  • Swap Your Herbs – Use your favorite herbs like thyme, basil, or oregano in place of (or in addition to) the parsley.
  • Use Different Cheese – Any salty, hard, aged cheese is a great choice. Some of my other favorites include pecorino or asiago. 
serving platter of pull apart garlic bread made with french baguette.

Expert Tips

  • Make sure to mince the garlic very finely for the most pronounced garlic flavor. If you’re in a rush, a garlic press will be your best friend!
  • Tailor to fit your taste. This recipe is admittedly very heavy on the garlic. If you want a little less potent flavor, use just 2 tablespoons instead of 3 or roast the garlic first to create a milder garlic flavor. 
  • Feel free to buy pre-peeled garlic to save on prep time. You can also try any of these quick peeling techniques!
  • Grate your own cheese. While it’s tempting to grab a time-saving container of pre-shredded parmesan, it never tastes as good as freshly grated. Even more importantly, freshly grated cheese will melt better than the pre-grated kind.
  • Swaddle for perfection. Make sure to wrap the baguette at first, which will help the cheese and butter to melt and the garlic to soften without the crust getting too crunchy/crispy.
  • Use softened, NOT melted butter. This makes it easier to get all the flavor on the inside of the bread instead of it all running to the bottom of the foil. 
manicured hand holding a slice of garlic bread baguette.

Serving Suggestions

Garlic bread is a universal crowd-pleaser, perfect for dinner parties, girls’ nights, or holiday celebrations. It’s also ideal for pairing with tons of different dishes! Let’s take your Garlic Bread Baguette on a flavorful trip around the world with some scrumptious serving suggestions from various cuisines:

  • Italian Feast: Serve your homemade garlic bread baguette with a classic Spaghetti Bolognese or a creamy Fettuccine Alfredo. The garlic-infused goodness will complement the rich flavors of these Italian favorites perfectly. Don’t forget a side of fresh Caesar salad or caprese salad to complete the Mediterranean experience!
  • French Fondue Fun: Dip slices of your French bread garlic bread into a bubbling pot of traditional Swiss cheese fondue. The combination of garlicky bread and gooey cheese is simply irresistible. For an extra touch of elegance, pair it with a crisp glass of white wine. Not in the mood for cheese? It’s also great for dipping into marinara or pesto!
  • Mediterranean Mezze: Create a delightful Mediterranean spread with your Garlic Bread Baguette as the star. Pair it with hummus, tzatziki, and a variety of olives and pickled vegetables. 
  • Charcuterie Charmer: Give your cheese platter a serious upgrade by serving some delectable garlicky bread on the side of whipped brie.
  • Spanish Tapas: Bring the flavors of Spain to your table by serving your Garlic Bread Baguette with a selection of tapas. Offer a variety of dishes like Patatas Bravas, Spanish Tortilla, and Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp). Your guests will love the small bites and big flavors!
  • Greek Gyros: Transform your garlic baguette into the ultimate pull-apart gyro by filling it with juicy slices of seasoned meat or my Greek meatballs, fresh tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of creamy Tzatziki sauce. 
overhead hero shot of french bread garlic bread baguette.

FAQs

Do I have to use fresh garlic to make garlic bread?

Typically speaking, I do recommend that you use fresh garlic for the brightest, most potent garlic flavor. That said, you *can* swap in frozen garlic cubes (e.g. Dorot brand) or jarred minced garlic in a pinch. You’re also welcome to use roasted garlic if you want more of the sweet, mild garlic flavor instead of the more potent side of garlic.

Can I use unsalted butter?

Sure! Just make sure to add about ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to the mix.

What makes a baguette a baguette?

Ahhh, the classic French baguette, that long, slender, golden-brown bread you know and love! But, what makes it a baguette? Here are the telltale signs that you’ve picked the right loaf:

Shape: It’s all about that long and skinny look, like a wand of bread magic!
Crust: Thin and crunchy outside, thanks to baking it just right at high heat.
Texture: Soft and airy on the inside with those lovely irregular holes that give it character.
Simple Ingredients: Flour, water, yeast (or sourdough), and salt. Keep it pure and delicious!

What’s the difference between French bread vs. baguette?

In a nutshell, French bread is a broad category, while the baguette is a special kind of French bread that’s instantly recognizable by its shape, crust, and texture. Both are delicious in their own right, but there’s just something magical about a freshly baked baguette that steals my heart every time. 

Can you grill this garlic bread baguette?

Sure! If it’s too hot to turn on your oven, you can definitely turn to the grill. I suggest putting down a pizza stone and pre-heating the grill to a medium temp of about 375F, then following the recipe as written.

french baguette garlic bread slices on a white plate.

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Connect With Me!

If you make this garlic bread french baguette recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

overhead closeup shot of a slice of french baguette garlic bread with tons of garlic.

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.

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closeup shot of garlic bread slice with tons of garlic butter.

Garlic Bread Baguette

  • Author: Kayla Berman
  • Prep Time: 30 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 Servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian
Print Recipe

Description

Garlic lovers, unite! If you’re looking for a lightening-fast way to upgrade your store-bought bread, you can stop your scrolling. My quick and easy, delectably cheesy Garlic Bread Baguette recipe requires just 5 simple ingredients – French baguette, butter, fresh garlic, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley – and only about 5 minutes of prep! Plus, it’s the perfect Italian side dish for pairing with everything. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 French baguette
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, slightly softened
  • 3 tbsp minced fresh garlic, about 1 bulb
  • 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese, plus extra
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Set the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Then add the salted butter, minced fresh garlic, shredded parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley to a mixing bowl.  Combine thoroughly. Set aside.
  3. Next carefully cut slices, about ½ inch in thickness, into the French baguette loaf.  However don’t cut completely through the loaf.  You’ll want to keep it intact to stuff it.
  4. Add the garlic butter mixture in all the slices of the baguette. Spread it evenly.  Leave a bit of the mixture to spread on top of the baguette as well.
  5. Next wrap up the baguette in aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes. Then unwrap the baguette, add extra parmesan cheese on top, and place back in the oven. Broil on high for about 3 minutes to crisp up the bread and melt the cheese. Keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn.
  6. Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let cool slightly.  Serve and enjoy!

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