Easy Garlic Toast

Crispy, buttery, and cheesy—this easy garlic toast recipe has all that plus lots of savory garlic flavor. No spaghetti dinner is complete without it!

Garlic toast is one of those little joys in life—it’s simple but oh, is it delicious! The edges are crisp, the middle is soft and buttery, the flavor is perfection, and it’s ridiculously easy to make. There’s pretty much no excuse to ever eat pasta without a side of garlic toast!

Pair it with spaghetti and meatballs, hearty lasagna, or a creamy bowl of tomato soup—dip it in the soup, sop up the sauce, and then help yourself to a second slice. Just like garlic bread, you just can’t limit yourself to one piece!

Ingredients for Garlic Toast

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

• Butter – Softened for easy spreading; salted butter adds flavor. Unsalted butter can be used with a pinch of added salt.
• Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated melts best, but pre-grated is an option for this recipe too.
• Garlic Powder – Using garlic powder gives you a savory garlic flavor without the punch and bite of fresh garlic.
• Dried Parsley – If you have fresh parsley on hand, you can certainly use that instead!
• Italian Bread – The thick slices are ideal for making garlic toast. White bread works as a substitute.

How to Make Garlic Toast

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.

1. Prepare. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Make the garlic butter. Mix the butter, cheese, garlic powder, and parsley until smooth.
3. Top the bread. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and spread the garlic butter on top.
4. Bake. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown.

Tips for Making Garlic Toast

Here are some simple tips to ensure your garlic toast turns out perfect!

• Use softened butter. This makes it much easier to mix with the other ingredients and spread over the bread without tearing it. If you forget to take out the butter beforehand, you can microwave it for a few seconds—just be sure it doesn’t melt completely. 
• Keep an eye on the oven. Garlic toast can go from perfectly crisp to charred pretty fast if you forget about it. Don’t forget to set a timer!
• Serve immediately. Garlic toast tastes best fresh out of the oven when it’s warm and crispy.

Variations and Substitutions

If you want to switch things up, here are some ideas!

• Add mozzarella. Add a layer of shredded mozzarella on top before baking for an extra-cheesy version of this garlic toast recipe.
• Use fresh garlic. Swap the garlic powder for 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves.
• Swap in roasted garlic. For a milder, caramelized flavor, smash a head of roasted garlic into the butter.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store leftover garlic toast in the refrigerator wrapped in foil or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze garlic toast for up to 3 months. Reheat it in the oven or a toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through and crispy. This helps restore its crunchy texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the toast soggy and sad!

What to Serve With Garlic Toast

• Spaghetti Pie
• Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells
• Skillet Lasagna
• Pasta Carbonara
• Spinach Chicken Cannelloni
• Ravioli Lasagna

More Recipes for Garlic Lovers

• Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Garlic Rosemary Focaccia
• Lemon Garlic Angel Hair Pasta
• 40 Clove Garlic Chicken
• Garlic Parmesan Baked Asparagus
• Honey Garlic Pork Chops

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