Whip Up Ina Garten’s Outrageous Garlic Bread Recipe Tonight

Warm, golden bread straight from the oven has a magical way of making Ina Garten’s outrageous garlic bread recipe a true crowd-pleaser.

Fragrant garlic and herbs dance together, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.

The crispy exterior gives way to a soft, buttery interior that melts in your mouth.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of richness and zesty flavor.

Butter, herbs, and garlic combine in a symphony of deliciousness that transforms ordinary bread into something extraordinary.

This recipe guarantees to turn any meal into a memorable dining experience.

You’ll want to make extra, because one bite is never enough.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredient List for Ina Garten’s Outrageous Garlic Bread

• Baguette: Crusty foundation that provides the perfect canvas for garlic goodness, choose a fresh artisan loaf with a crisp exterior and soft interior.
• Unsalted Butter: Creamy carrier of flavors that helps soften and mellow the garlic, select high-quality European-style butter for richer taste.

• Garlic: Aromatic star of the dish that delivers intense, mellow warmth when slowly cooked, opt for fresh, firm cloves with no green sprouts.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty accent that adds depth and complexity, select a wedge of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for maximum flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, herbaceous element that brings freshness and color, choose vibrant green leaves with no wilting.
• Lemon Zest: Citrusy spark that cuts through richness and adds zingy brightness, use microplane to get fine, fragrant zest.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Subtle heat component that provides gentle background warmth, choose high-quality dried flakes.

• Kosher Salt: Fundamental seasoning that amplifies all other flavors, use coarse texture for better distribution.
• Black Pepper: Earthy, spicy undertone that complements garlic's intensity, freshly ground provides most robust flavor.
• Fleur de Sel or Sea Salt: Finishing touch that adds delicate crunch and mineral complexity, sprinkle just before serving.

Tools for Toasting Garlic Bread Like Ina

• Saucepan: Small pan for melting butter and cooking garlic gently.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for slicing bread and preparing ingredients.
• Fork: Perfect for mashing garlic and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Baking sheet: Large flat pan for baking bread evenly.
• Parchment paper: Non-stick surface to prevent bread from sticking and easy cleanup.
• Sharp knife: Essential for slicing baguette lengthwise and crosswise precisely.
• Measuring spoons: For accurately measuring salt, red pepper flakes, and other seasonings.

How to Make Garlic Bread That’s Totally Outrageous

Garlic Bread Adventure

• Garlic Preparation Ritual

Gently coax whole garlic cloves into melted butter, letting them simmer softly until they transform into a silky, mellow treasure. Allow the mixture to cool and whisper its aromatic promises.

• Flavor Fusion

Crush the tender garlic into the butter, then dance in Parmesan, fresh parsley, zesty lemon whispers, spicy red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Blend until the mixture sings with complex flavors.

• Bread Canvas

Slice a beautiful baguette lengthwise, creating a golden landscape. Gently carve diagonal pathways across the surface, inviting the garlic magic to nestle deeply into every crevice.

• Magical Transformation

Lavish the garlic mixture across the bread’s welcoming surface, ensuring each carved channel becomes a flavor highway. Slide the bread into a blazing hot oven, watching it turn golden and bubbly.

• Culinary Celebration

Pull the bread from the oven when it’s crispy and irresistible. Slice into rustic pieces, shower with a delicate salt blessing, and serve while the warmth still tells its delicious story.

Flavor Boosters for Ina Garten’s Garlicky Loaf

• Slowly cook garlic in butter to mellow its sharp bite and create a rich, sweet flavor profile that transforms the bread's taste.
• Experiment with different hard cheeses like pecorino romano or aged gruyère to add unique depth and complexity to the garlic mixture.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference – from a tiny pinch for mild warmth to a generous sprinkle for serious kick.
• Choose artisan baguettes or rustic sourdough for maximum texture and flavor absorption, ensuring each slice becomes a crispy, garlicky masterpiece.
• Repurpose any remaining garlic bread by chopping it into croutons for salads or crushing it as a crunchy topping for soups and pasta dishes.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten’s Bold Bread

• Pair with Hearty Soups: Slice this garlic bread alongside a rich tomato basil soup or creamy potato chowder for a comforting meal that warms the soul.
• Complement Main Dishes: Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or pasta dishes to add a delicious garlicky crunch that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Create Appetizer Platter: Arrange bread pieces on a rustic wooden board with soft cheeses, olives, and cured meats for an impressive starter that will wow your guests.
• Perfect Party Snack: Break into bite-sized pieces for casual gatherings, game nights, or as a crowd-pleasing addition to potluck spreads that everyone will devour.

Keep It Crunchy: Ina Garten’s Garlic Bread Storage Advice

• Slice Smart: Cut the garlic bread right before serving to maintain its crispy texture and warm, fresh flavor. Avoid pre-cutting hours in advance to prevent soggy edges.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Store any leftover garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Wrap tightly to prevent moisture and maintain crunchiness.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the bread in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore its original crispy exterior and soft interior. Avoid using the microwave, which can make the bread soggy.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap unbaked garlic bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake fresh when ready to serve.

Crispy Ina Garten Outrageous Garlic Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s outrageously delicious garlic bread brings Italian-inspired comfort to home kitchens. Generous amounts of butter, herbs, and perfectly toasted bread guarantee a crowd-pleasing side dish you’ll want to serve alongside pasta or enjoy on its own.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 crusty French baguette (20 to 24-inch-long)
• 1 head garlic (cloves separated and peeled)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated Italian)
• 12 tbsps (1.5 sticks or 170 g) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley (minced)
• 2 tsps lemon zest (grated)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (crushed)
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper (freshly ground)
• Fleur de sel or sea salt

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Instructions

1. Garlic Infusion: Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, gently introducing minced garlic and allowing it to soften and develop rich flavors for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until exceptionally tender.
2. Flavor Composition: Mash the cooked garlic into the butter, blending seamlessly with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper to create a complex, aromatic spread.
3. Bread Preparation: Split the baguette lengthwise, positioning cut-side up, and create diagonal scoring patterns across the surface without completely separating the sections.
4. Flavor Distribution: Generously coat the bread’s interior with the garlic mixture, ensuring the aromatic blend penetrates deeply into the scored crevices.
5. Roasting Process: Segment the baguette into four pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then roast in a preheated 450°F (230°C) oven for 5-7 minutes until the topping becomes golden and effervescent.
6. Serving Finale: Remove from the oven, slice along the previous score marks, sprinkle with fleur de sel or sea salt, and serve immediately while radiating warmth.

Notes

• Roast Garlic Gently: Low and slow cooking transforms raw garlic into a mellow, sweet spread without bitterness, requiring patience during the 20-minute softening process.
• Layer Flavor Strategically: Score bread diagonally to create crevices that capture and distribute the garlic butter mixture, maximizing taste penetration and textural complexity.
• Control Oven Precision: High temperature of 450°F ensures rapid browning and crisp exterior while maintaining a tender interior, so monitor closely to prevent burning.
• Serve Immediately Hot: Garlic bread loses its magical crispy texture and vibrant flavors within minutes, so time serving perfectly between oven and table for optimal enjoyment.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg