How to Make Best Gluten-Free Garlic Bread (Easy Tips)

There’s no reason to miss out on a classic anymore! Learn how to make the best gluten-free garlic bread, with crisp, golden edges, a soft, squishy interior, a unique combo of butter, olive oil, fresh garlic, and optional cheesy topping. This easy recipe includes plenty of tips and variations to fit any preference, from homemade bread options, store-bought substitutes, and how to create the perfect ratio of ingredients for spectacular flavor!

Homemade gluten-free garlic bread recipe

Unfortunately those of us who follow a gluten-free diet are used to ignoring the coveted bread basket. Many family dinners, restaurant meals, pasta dishes, and favorite Italian foods have lacked slices of buttery, crisp garlic bread.

After developing two essential and very popular gluten-free bread recipes – gluten-free baguettes and soft gluten-free Italian bread, I quickly began working on an accompaniment I have missed for so long – a homemade gluten-free garlic bread recipe.

What’s the secret to the best homemade garlic bread? Don’t be fooled by the simple ingredients. There is an essential way to enhance flavor that is often overlooked – salt!

Whether you prefer to use salted butter or keep unsalted butter on hand, adding additional salt to garlic bread’s classic ingredients unifies the flavors and elevates average bread into something immensely flavorful.

This is especially important when making garlic toast from gluten-free bread. Bread made with gluten-free flour generally has an earthier, more subdued taste because of the unique GF starch blends.

Breads used for garlic bread, generally French or Italian, have more emphasis on creating texture, structure, and crumb with a more neutral flavor. Therefore, it’s important when making GF garlic bread to maximize flavor in the garlic butter mixture.

Besides salt, sprinkling on freshly grated cheese is another easy way to enhance taste. Cheesy gluten-free garlic bread is the perfect side dish for our favorite family meals, such as gluten-free lasagna, GF spaghetti, soups, or an Italian chopped salad.

Below you will find more expert tips for making this easy gluten-free garlic bread recipe, including how to turn leftover bread into garlic toast, make-ahead and freezer tips, recommended store-bought GF bread options, plus dairy-free modifications.

Ingredient Notes and Modifications

Below are the essential ingredients to make crisp, buttery bread, although there are several delicious ways to modify the recipe, including cheesy bread, adding additional herbs, or modifying ingredients for a dairy-free recipe.

• Gluten-free bread – For a traditional recipe use a gluten-free Italian loaf or French baguettes. However, there are plenty of other GF bread options for garlic bread, which I have listed below.
• Butter – Either salted, unsalted butter, or vegan butter may be used. Since the butter is used to saute the fresh garlic before spreading on the bread, there is no need to remember to soften it first!
• Salt – If using vegan or salted butter, cut back on the salt a smidge. Use a scant ¼ teaspoon.
• Garlic cloves – For best flavor used freshly minced garlic rather than garlic powder.
• Olive oil – Using a combination of butter and olive oil was inspired by Once Upon a Chef’s homemade garlic bread recipe. Olive oil helps crisp the edges and also adds a nice hint of flavor.
• Parsley – Fresh parsley has a brighter taste, but 1 teaspoon dried parsley may be substituted. Consider using additional herbs (fresh or dried), such as oregano or basil, as well. If using a combination of herbs they should all together equal the amount of parsley.
• Cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, or a combination of both, which is what I prefer to do. The amount of cheese depends on what you are going for. For very cheesy bread, use more mozzarella and top as you would pizza. For added flavor, simple sprinkle with some parmesan.

how to make gluten-free garlic bread

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

1. Preheat the oven to 400℉. Take the loaf of gluten-free bread and slice it in half horizontally.
2. In a small skillet over low heat melt the butter and oil together. Once it is melted, stir in the garlic, stirring and cooking for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt and parsley.
3. Brush the butter mixture over the two cut sides of bread. Place the halves back together and wrap securely with foil. Place directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 10 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and carefully unwrap from the foil. If using cheese, lay face up on the foil and sprinkle with cheese. Transfer the foil back to the oven rack. Bake for 8-10 minutes longer. If you wish for crispier bread or golden cheese, turn on the broiler, leaving the bread on the middle rack. Watch closely and broil 1-2 minutes.

More GF bread Options for garlic bread

If you don’t have the time or energy to prepare a homemade loaf before beginning the recipe, there are plenty of options!

• Leftover GF breads – Use anything from gluten-free hot dog buns, bagels, to sandwich bread. For multiple slices of bread, arrange on a baking sheet.
• Store bought bread – If I buy gluten-free bread I prefer Schar brand, which makes baguettes, ciabatta, hot dog or hamburger buns.
• Texas Toast garlic bread – Thickly slice a loaf of gluten-free sandwich bread and brush with the garlic butter. Place directly on the oven rack or convection toaster oven. Bake at 400ºF for 5-8 minutes, or until crisp and golden.
• Garlic croutons – If you have leftover bread ends or a hunk of GF French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Drizzle the garlic butter over and toss to combine. Lay on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 375ºF oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring and flipping halfway through.

Soft or crusty baking techniques

When baking a garlic loaf it is first wrapped in foil and placed in the oven to warm. If you prefer very soft bread, leave it in the foil to warm completely, about 15 minutes.

If you prefer crisp garlic toast, first warm the bread in foil for 10 minutes. Unwrap it from the foil and place it directly on the oven rack. At this point it’s up to you and how crisp you like your bread!

Bake at least 5 minutes longer for slightly crisp edges, up to 10 minutes more. If you would like it very golden, turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes for crusty slices.

Cheesy garlic bread

There’s not a lot of instances when cheese doesn’t make something better, and there’s no exception when it comes to garlic bread! Sprinkle on ½ cup grated parmesan or 1 cup mozzarella between the two halves after it has been unwrapped from the foil. If using cheese, I like to broil 1-2 minutes at the end to make it bubbly and golden.

If your prefer a cheese combo, I recommend using ¼ cup parmesan and ½-1 cup of mozzarella cheese. This will make an amazing pizzeria-style cheese bread. Don’t forget to turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes!

Leftover garlic butter?

The amount of butter used depends on the size of your loaf and how decadent you want to be. If you have leftover garlic butter, don’t toss it! Here are some delicious options.

• Cool to solidify, cover, and store in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Spread on slices of toast to make single-serving garlic bread for a quick side dish.
• If you have a lot leftover, you may also freeze garlic butter for a future loaf. Soften to room temp before spreading on or gently melt on the stove top over low heat. I don’t recommend microwaving because the garlic has a tendency to burn.
• Use for other dishes. Leftover garlic butter can be drizzled over baked chicken, pork chops or tossed with steamed veggies.
• Drizzle over air popped or plain popcorn for a gourmet snack, then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

Make-ahead, Storing and freezing tips

If you have leftover garlic bread I recommend freezing because it’s best the day it is made. Gluten-free breads lose moisture and dry out quickly. For best results, wrap in plastic wrap and transfer to a ziplock freezer bag.

When ready to enjoy again, wrap slices in foil and rewarm in a 350ºF oven for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power.

Gluten-free garlic bread is also an ideal make-ahead side. Prepare the garlic butter and brush on as directed. Wrap the bread securely in aluminum foil and then a double layer of plastic wrap to protect from freezer burn. Freeze up to 2 months.

When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, leaving it in the foil. Bake from frozen for 15 minutes before unwrapping and laying flat to bake for 8-10 minutes longer.

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