Easy homemade garlic bread recipe from scratch, infused with fragrant garlicky notes, boasting a comforting texture thanks to decadent butter and oozing with melty cheeses, every bite is a heavenly indulgence.

During Ramadan, we all look forward to iftar – the time to break our fast and indulge in some delicious food. However, many of us tend to overindulge in deep-fried foods, which come with tons of extra fats, oily mess, and a lot of guilt to weigh us down for the rest of the day.

But fear not, because this cheesy garlic bread is here to save the day! Unlike deep-fried foods, this bread is made with wholesome ingredients that won’t weigh you down or leave you feeling guilty. Plus, this bread is baked, not fried, so you won’t have to worry about any extra oil or grease. A perfect recipe to add a homemade touch to their iftar meals.

The combination of gooey melted cheese, aromatic garlic, and decadent butter makes this bread incredibly flavorful, and the warm, comforting texture of the dough is sure to satisfy any bread lover’s cravings. You won’t be able to resist the temptation of each and every cheesy, garlicky bite.

A Perfect Side Dish – An Ultimate Comfort Food

If a perfect side dish had a face, I bet! it would be this cheesy garlicky buttery garlic bread. Its versatility makes garlic bread a quintessential side dish that elevates any meal to the next level. With its crispy exterior and soft, buttery interior infused with the rich flavors of garlic and herbs, it’s the ultimate comfort food that everyone loves.

Whether you’re serving up a traditional Ramadan dish like Chicken Biryani, or a cozy comfort meal like lentil soup, garlic bread is sure to find its way to your dinner table as a side. It’s amazing how well this cheesy bread soaks up stew flavors. You can make it in advance and reheat it just before serving, making it a convenient and delicious option for busy families during the holy month.

Homemade Garlic Bread Ingredients

To make this easy homemade garlic bread recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

Flour – Flour is the base ingredient for making dough for garlic bread. All-purpose flour is best type of flour for garlic cheese bread as it provides the right texture and structure for garlic cheese bread, helping it rise properly and become soft and fluffy.

Baking Powder – It acts as a leavening agent to helps the bread rise, giving it a beautiful fluff and an airy texture, synonymous with garlic bread.

Salt – Enhances the flavor of the bread and helps to balance the other ingredients.

Egg – Adds richness and helps to bind the dough together.

Milk – Provides a perfect amount of moisture and helps to make the bread tender while adding a bit of sweetness.

Yeast – A leavening agent that helps the dough rise and become light and airy.

Sugar – Adds a subtle sweetness to the bread which complements the savory flavors of garlic and cheese.

Avocado Oil – Provides a rich, buttery flavor and helps to keep the bread moist.

Greek Yogurt – Adds a tangy flavor and helps to make the bread soft and tender.

Butter – Used to make the savory garlic butter mixture that is spread on the bread before baking.

Garlic – The more the better! Provides that fragrant garlicky flavor that is the characteristic of garlic bread.

Spices – Optional spices such as parsley, oregano, or red pepper flakes can be added to enhance the flavor of the bread.

Mozzarella Cheese – Adds a creamy, melty texture and cheesy flavor to the bread.

Cheddar Cheese – Adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the bread. Freshly grated cheese works wonder in garlic bread recipe.

How to make the best Homemade Garlic Bread

Making garlic bread from scratch may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple. With this easy homemade garlic bread recipe, you’ll have delicious garlic bread in no time.

Make the Dough

Garlic bread from scratch start with making the dough. Begin by mixing together the dry ingredients – flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar – in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients – warm milk and yeast – until the yeast dissolves.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well until a dough is formed. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.

Allow the dough to rest and rise in a warm place for at least an hour, until it has doubled in size.

Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture

While the dough is resting, prepare the savory garlic butter mixture by combining butter with minced garlic and your favorite herbs and spices. You can use fresh or powdered garlic, and add any spices you like such as oregano, parsley, or thyme.

Shape the Dough

Sit tight! The most adventurous part of the garlic bread recipe is about to begin. Once your dough has been doubled in size, it’s time to let your creative juices flowing and shape the dough into whatever garlic bread variation you want. You can either go for the classic loaf shape or you can be creative and try your hand at garlic knots and that’s not the end. You can also use the same dough recipe to create a sweet and creamy honeycomb bread.

To make Classic Garlic Bread

For a classic garlic bread shape, roll your dough into a log shape and place it onto a greased baking sheet.

Then, brush the garlic butter mixture onto the top of the dough, making sure to get into all the cuts. This will ensure that the garlic flavor gets evenly distributed throughout the bread.

To make Garlic Knots

Alternatively, for garlic knots, take a small piece of dough and roll it into a long thin rope, around 8-10 inches in length.

Tie the rope into a knot and tuck the ends underneath. Brush these knots with garlic herb butter mixture.

To make Honeycomb Bread

Honeycomb bread is a delicious variation of garlic bread that is easy to make using the same dough recipe. To start, prepare the dough as you would for garlic bread, and allow it to rise.

Once the dough has risen, cut it into smaller pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Flatten the ball and place a dollop of cream cheese in the center. Fold the dough over the cream cheese and pinch the edges together to seal it. Place the stuffed dough balls onto a baking sheet and brush them with egg wash. Allow them to rest for 10 minutes before baking in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.

The result is a delicious and savory bread with a creamy surprise inside. With just a few small tweaks to the recipe, you can create a completely different and equally delicious bread that’s perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.

Say Cheese!

If you have opted for simple garlic bread variation, it’s finally time to add finishing touches. Top them off with cubed mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Bake and Enjoy!

Bake at 450 degrees F for 11 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Recipe Tips for Homemade Garlic Bread:

Use Fresh Garlic – It’s the garlic that can make or break a garlic bread. So, I highly recommend using freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder to adds a strong and pungent flavor to the bread.

Don’t Over-Bake – Be careful not to over-bake the bread, as this can cause it to become dry and hard. Check on the bread frequently to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Customize To Your Taste – Experiment with different herbs and seasonings to customize the flavor of your garlic bread. Basil, oregano, and parsley are all great options.

Let The Bread Cool Before Slicing – Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes before slicing to prevent the cheese from oozing out.

Homemade Garlic Bread FAQ’s

What goes well with cheesy garlic bread?

Garlic bread is a versatile side dish that can be served with a wide variety of main meals. It’s particularly popular with Italian dishes such as pasta, lasagna, and pizza. You can also serve garlic cheese bread as a dipping snack with your soups, stews, and casseroles.

You can also serve it alongside a salad or as an appetizer with marinara or Alfredo sauce for dipping. Ultimately, garlic bread is a crowd-pleaser that goes well with just about any meal.

How to store garlic bread?

To store garlic bread, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. You can also store garlic bread in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, you can use your oven. Simply wrap the leftover garlic bread in foil and place it on a baking sheet. If the bread is sliced, make sure to keep it in a single layer in the foil. Then, bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s warmed through, which typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes.