Garlic Butter French Bread (Printable)

Crusty French bread layered with savory garlic butter and fresh herbs, baked golden.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 large French baguette

→ Garlic Butter

02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Slice the baguette lengthwise in half and place both halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper, Italian herbs if using, and Parmesan cheese if desired. Stir until smooth and thoroughly blended.
04 - Spread the garlic butter evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges turn golden and the butter is melted and bubbly.
06 - For extra crispness, broil the bread for 1 to 2 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
07 - Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, then slice into portions and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 25 minutes total, which means you can add it to any meal without stress.
  • The garlic butter stays creamy inside while the bread edges turn crispy and golden, giving you the best of both textures.
  • It works as a side to literally anything—pasta, soup, salad, or even eaten on its own when you're hungry.
02 -
  • If your butter is too cold, it won't spread evenly and you'll end up with gaps; let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes first.
  • The baguette's age matters more than you'd think—day-old bread holds up better to the moisture from the butter than fresh bread, which can turn into mush.
03 -
  • Mincing garlic by hand takes barely longer than opening a jar, and the flavor is noticeably fresher and more vibrant than anything pre-made.
  • Broiling at the end is optional, but those extra crispy edges in the last minute make it feel like something special rather than just butter on bread.

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