Homemade Garlic Bread

If you love the aroma of warm bread and baked garlic, this homemade garlic bread will quickly become a favorite. It starts with a simple yeast dough and is topped with olive oil, fresh garlic, parsley, scallion greens, dill, and plenty of shredded cheese. The bread bakes until golden on top while remaining wonderfully soft and airy inside.

Unlike quick versions made with a store-bought baguette, this garlic bread is prepared completely from scratch. The dough needs only a short rise before it is shaped, cut into squares, topped, and baked. Serve it warm as a savory snack or alongside soup, pasta, or your favorite main dish.

What makes this homemade garlic bread so delicious is the combination of a tender, airy base and a golden, cheesy topping. Fresh parsley, scallion greens, dill, and garlic flavor the olive oil, allowing every cut in the dough to absorb the savory mixture as the bread bakes.

If you enjoy making bread from scratch, you may also want to try my rustic homemade bread recipe, which uses just a few simple pantry ingredients. You can also visit King Arthur Baking’s yeast-baking guide for useful information about working with yeast dough and understanding how it rises.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Rising Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
• Oven Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
• Yield: About 30 garlic bread squares
• Difficulty: Easy
• Flavor: Garlicky, cheesy, and filled with fresh herbs
• Perfect For: Snacking, sharing, or serving with soups, pasta, and main dishes

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Garlic Bread

• Soft and airy inside: The simple yeast dough bakes into a tender bread with a light, fluffy center.
• Packed with fresh flavor: Garlic, parsley, scallion greens, and dill create a wonderfully savory and aromatic topping.
• Golden and cheesy: A generous layer of shredded cheese melts over the bread and forms a delicious golden finish.
• Made completely from scratch: You do not need a store-bought loaf or baguette to prepare this homemade garlic bread.
• Easy to serve and share: Cutting the dough into squares before baking makes each piece simple to separate and enjoy.

If you love soft homemade yeast breads, you may also enjoy my soft and fluffy dinner rolls. They are another delicious choice for family dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These homemade garlic bread squares are made with simple pantry staples, fresh herbs, garlic, and plenty of cheese. The complete measurements are included in the Recipe Card at the end of the post.

For the Dough

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the garlic bread soft and tender inside.
• Warm water: Activates the yeast and adds the moisture needed to form a smooth dough. It should feel pleasantly warm, not hot.
• Active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise and creates its light, airy texture.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps it activate properly without making the bread taste sweet.
• Salt: Enhances the savory flavors and balances the dough.
• Olive oil: Keeps the bread tender and adds a mild, rich flavor.

For the Garlic and Herb Topping

• Olive oil: Carries the flavors of the garlic and herbs into every cut in the dough.
• Garlic: Freshly minced or pressed garlic provides the main savory flavor.
• Parsley: Adds freshness, color, and a mild herbal taste.
• Scallion greens: Also called green onions, they add a gentle onion flavor without overpowering the garlic.
• Dill: Gives the topping a fresh and aromatic flavor. Fresh or dried dill can be used.
• Shredded cheese: Melts over the bread and creates a golden, flavorful topping.

How to Make Homemade Garlic Bread

1. Activate the Yeast

Pour 5 tablespoons of the measured warm water into a small bowl. Add the sugar and active dry yeast, then stir gently. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes, until it becomes foamy and bubbly on the surface. This shows that the yeast is active and ready to use.

2. Prepare the Dough

Place the all-purpose flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir them together. Add the olive oil, activated yeast mixture, and the remaining warm water. Mix until a soft dough begins to form.

Knead the dough in the bowl or on a lightly floured work surface until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

3. Make the Garlic and Herb Topping

While the dough is rising, finely chop the parsley and scallion greens. Place them in a small bowl with the dill, minced garlic, and olive oil. Stir until everything is evenly combined, then set the mixture aside so the flavors can blend.

4. Shape and Cut the Dough

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Transfer the risen dough directly onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently stretch it into a large round or oval shape using your hands. You can also use a rolling pin, but the dough is soft enough to shape by hand.

Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into approximately 30 squares. Cutting it before baking makes the finished garlic bread easy to separate and serve.

5. Add the Topping and Cheese

Brush the garlic and herb oil generously over the entire surface of the dough. Make sure some of the flavorful oil reaches the cuts between the squares. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.

6. Bake the Garlic Bread

Bake the homemade garlic bread for about 20 minutes, or until the bread is baked through and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

Remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Separate the squares along the precut lines and serve them warm while the bread is soft and the cheese is still melted.

How to Store and Freeze Homemade Garlic Bread

Storing in the Refrigerator

Allow the garlic bread to cool, then place the squares in an airtight container or resealable food-storage bag. Because the bread is topped with cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs, refrigerate it within two hours of baking. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezing

Once completely cooled, arrange the garlic bread squares in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating the layers with parchment paper if needed. Freeze for up to 2 months for the best flavor and texture.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated garlic bread in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Frozen pieces can be reheated directly from the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is melted.

For a softer result, microwave an individual piece for 15 to 20 seconds. The oven is the better choice when you want the top to become lightly crisp again.

Once reheated, these garlic bread squares are especially delicious served with my roasted tomato pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Nutrition per Serving

Approximate nutrition for 1 garlic bread square, based on a yield of about 30 pieces:

• Calories: 105 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: Less than 1 g

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on the type of cheese used and the size of each piece.

Conclusion

This homemade garlic bread combines a soft, airy yeast dough with fragrant garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil, and a golden layer of melted cheese. Cutting the dough into individual squares before baking makes it easy to serve, share, and enjoy while still warm.

Whether you serve it with pasta, soup, a family dinner, or simply enjoy it as a savory snack, these cheesy garlic bread squares are sure to disappear quickly. If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out.

Happy baking!

Inga

Homemade Garlic Bread

This homemade garlic bread features a soft, airy yeast dough brushed with olive oil, garlic, parsley, scallion greens, and dill. Cut into squares and covered with melted cheese, it is an easy savory bread perfect for sharing or serving with your favorite meal.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Rise Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 30 Squares

Course: Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 105

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Dough

• 3⅔ cups (460 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp (9 g) active dry yeast
• 1¼ cups (300 ml) warm water, divided
• 1 tsp (4 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp (6 g) salt
• 1 tbsp plus 1 teaspoon (20 ml) olive oil

For the Garlic and Herb Topping

• ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons (70 ml) olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
• ¼ cup (15 g) finely chopped fresh parsley
• 4 scallions, green parts only, finely sliced
• 1 tsp (3 g) dried dill
• 7 oz (200 g) shredded mozzarella or another good melting cheese

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Digital kitchen scale
• Wooden spoon or dough spatula
• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pizza cutter or sharp knife
• Pastry brush
• Rolling pin, optional

Method

 

1. Activate the Yeast

   Pour 5 tablespoons of the measured warm water into a small bowl. Add the sugar and active dry yeast, then stir gently. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes, until it becomes foamy and bubbly.

2. Mix the Dough

   Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add the olive oil, activated yeast mixture, and the remaining warm water. Mix until a soft dough begins to form.

3. Knead and Let the Dough Rise

   Knead the dough in the bowl or on a lightly floured work surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should remain soft and may feel slightly tacky.

   Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

4. Prepare the Garlic and Herb Topping

   While the dough is rising, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, scallion greens, and dill in a small bowl. Stir well and set aside so the flavors can blend.

5. Shape and Cut the Dough

   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

   Transfer the risen dough directly onto the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to stretch it into a large round or oval shape. A rolling pin can also be used if preferred.

   Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into approximately 30 squares.

6. Add the Topping and Cheese

   Brush the garlic and herb oil generously over the entire surface of the dough, allowing some of the mixture to reach the cuts between the squares. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.

7. Bake

   Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bread is fully baked, the edges are lightly golden, and the cheese has melted.

   Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the garlic bread to cool for a few minutes. Separate the squares along the precut lines and serve warm.

Notes

• Use warm water between 105°F and 110°F (40°C and 43°C). Hot water can damage the yeast and prevent the dough from rising.
• The 5 tablespoons of water used to activate the yeast are taken from the total 1 1/4 cups (300 ml).
• Avoid adding too much extra flour while kneading. A slightly tacky dough produces softer garlic bread.
• Low-moisture mozzarella melts well, but cheddar, Gouda, or a combination of cheeses can also be used.
• If using instant yeast, mix it directly with the flour and check the dough a little earlier because it may rise faster.
• Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Freeze completely cooled squares in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

 

 

Nutrition per Serving

Approximate values for 1 garlic bread square:

• Calories: 105 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: Less than 1 g