If you’re anything like me, nothing beats the aroma and flavor of freshly baked garlic bread. This Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Parsley, and Red Pepper Flakes Recipe is a knockout side that’s bursting with bold, savory goodness. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside, buttery and garlicky in the middle, with just the right kick from the red pepper flakes — truly a crowd-pleaser every time!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Ridiculously Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this garlic bread comes together quickly—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Unforgettable Flavors: The sharp Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a touch of red pepper flakes perfectly complement the buttery garlic base to create a flavor symphony.
Perfect Texture Balance: Crisp edges with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center make every bite simply irresistible.
Versatile Side Dish: This recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, soups, salads, and more — making it a go-to for many meals.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The magic of this Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Parsley, and Red Pepper Flakes Recipe lies in its simple but powerful ingredients. Each element plays a vital role—from the crusty baguette that provides crunch, to the garlic butter that infuses richness, culminating with the freshness of parsley and complexity of Parmesan.
- Baguette: Choose a fresh, crusty baguette that will crisp beautifully in the oven while staying soft inside.
- Garlic Butter: Homemade or store-bought, garlic butter is where the flavor foundation starts—feel free to add extra fresh garlic for an intense punch.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty depth; Pecorino Romano can be a zesty alternative.
- Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors; you can swap for kosher salt if needed.
- Chopped Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous pop of color and brightness.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For those who love a little heat; adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
How to Make Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Parsley, and Red Pepper Flakes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baguette
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with aluminum foil—it not only saves cleanup time but helps the bread toast evenly. Using a sharp knife, slice your 7-ounce, one-foot baguette in half lengthwise. Taking care here ensures both halves are even, making for an elegant presentation and balanced toasting.
Step 2: Spread the Garlic Butter
Generously slather garlic butter on the cut sides of the baguette halves. This step is where the buttery garlic flavor truly gets locked in, so don’t hold back — make sure every inch is covered. This creates that rich, aromatic base that makes garlic bread an eternal favorite.
Step 3: Bake and Broil to Perfection
Place the baguette halves cut-side up on your baking sheet, then bake for 6 to 8 minutes to let the butter melt into the bread. After that, switch your oven to broil and let the bread brown for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. This technique delivers perfectly golden, crispy edges with a tender inside every time.
Step 4: Add Your Toppings and Serve
When the bread is toasted and hot out of the oven, sprinkle on grated Parmesan, a pinch of sea salt, freshly chopped parsley, and a dash of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Slice the bread into pieces and serve immediately so everyone can enjoy that medley of crispy, cheesy, herby, and spicy flavors together.
How to Serve Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Parsley, and Red Pepper Flakes Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is the star garnish here, bringing color and a refreshing brightness to this buttery dish. For a touch of elegance, you can add a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper or even a drizzle of high-quality olive oil just before serving—both complement the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This garlic bread is a dream sidekick to Italian classics like spaghetti carbonara or lasagna. It also shines alongside hearty soups like tomato basil or minestrone, and pairs wonderfully with fresh green salads for a lighter meal option.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the garlic bread “open-faced” on a rustic wooden board with dipping sauces such as marinara or a creamy pesto. You could also cut the bread into small cubes and make mini garlic bread croutons to sprinkle over soups and salads—so versatile!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be kept fresh by cooling the garlic bread completely before storing it in an airtight container or plastic wrap. It will stay good in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days, making it easy to reheat and enjoy later.
Freezing
If you want to prep in advance, tightly wrap the bread in plastic wrap and seal it inside a freezer bag. It freezes well for 4 to 6 months, so you can pull it out anytime you crave that comforting garlic bread flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer using an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer heated to 350°F. This method keeps the crust crisp and the inside soft and gooey, unlike microwaving which can make the bread soggy. Simply warm until heated through and enjoy as if it’s fresh from the oven!
FAQs
-
Can I use a different type of bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While a baguette is ideal for its crusty texture and size, you can use Italian bread, ciabatta, or even a hearty sourdough loaf. Just adjust baking times accordingly to ensure it crisps up nicely without burning.
-
How spicy is this garlic bread with red pepper flakes?
The red pepper flakes add a mild to moderate kick that balances the richness of the garlic butter and Parmesan. You can easily adjust the amount to suit your spice tolerance or omit them altogether if you prefer a milder version.
-
Can I make the garlic butter from scratch?
Yes! Homemade garlic butter is simple to make by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and optional herbs. It adds an extra layer of freshness and lets you control the intensity of the garlic flavor.
-
Is it better to bake or broil the garlic bread?
Baking at 350°F allows the bread to warm through evenly and the butter to melt nicely. Broiling afterwards crisps the edges and adds that beautiful golden color. Both steps combined create the ideal balance of soft and crispy textures.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a simple, flavorful side that elevates any meal, this Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Parsley, and Red Pepper Flakes Recipe is your go-to. It’s warm, indulgent, and easy to whip up anytime, making it perfect for sharing with loved ones or treating yourself. Trust me — once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen!
Print
Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Parsley, and Red Pepper Flakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A classic and easy-to-make garlic bread recipe featuring a crusty baguette slathered with flavorful garlic butter, baked until golden and crispy, then topped with Parmesan cheese, sea salt, fresh parsley, and a kick of red pepper flakes. Perfect as a side for pasta, soups, or salads.
Ingredients
Garlic Bread
- 1 foot 7-ounce baguette
- Garlic butter (quantity as needed to spread evenly on bread)
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- Sea salt (to taste)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Slice the baguette: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the baguette in half lengthwise to create two even halves.
- Apply garlic butter: Place the baguette halves cut-side-up on the prepared baking sheet and generously spread garlic butter over the cut surfaces.
- Bake the bread: Bake the bread in the oven at 350°F for 6-8 minutes until the edges start to turn golden.
- Broil for crispiness: Switch the oven to broil and broil the bread for 2-3 minutes until it achieves a golden-brown crust; watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the baked bread with grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of sea salt, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes to add flavor and heat.
- Slice and serve: Slice the garlic bread into serving pieces and serve hot alongside your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to cut your baguette for clean, even slices.
- Lining the baking sheet with foil makes cleanup easier but is optional.
- For softer garlic bread, sandwich the buttered halves together and bake; you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Be cautious when broiling the bread, as it can burn quickly.
- Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and place in a Ziploc bag; freeze up to 4-6 months.
- Reheat leftovers in an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer at 350°F to avoid sogginess; microwaving is possible but may result in less crispy bread.
