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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!

Slice of garlic toast on plate with basil for garnish

Everyone’s Favorite Pasta Side Dish

Garlic toast is one of my favorite little joys in life, it’s simple, but it is so 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, The Best Chicken Soup Recipe Ever, 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!

Overhead view of ingredients for garlic toast

Ingredients for Garlic Toast

Here’s a short list of what you’ll need to whip up this easy toast recipe.

  • Butter – Make sure the butter is softened for easy spreading, salted butter adds flavor. Unsalted butter can be used with a pinch of added salt.
  • Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese 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. If you prefer, you can use finely minced garlic cloves instead.
  • Dried Parsley – If you have fresh parsley on hand, you can certainly use that instead!
  • Italian Bread – The thick slices of italian bread are ideal for making garlic toast similar to Texas toast. White bread works as a substitute.
Bowl of garlic butter with loaf of sliced bread

How to Make Garlic Toast

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

  1. Preheat. 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.
Bread topped with garlic butter on baking sheet

Kellie’s 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.
Overhead view of garlic toast slices on sheet pan

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!

Slice of garlic toast on plate with basil for garnish

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Easy Garlic Toast Recipe

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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Crispy, buttery and cheesy—this easy garlic toast recipe has all that plus lots of garlic flavor. No pasta dinner is complete without it!

Equipment

  • baking sheet

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup salted butter, room softened (not melted)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 12 thick slices Italian Bread or white bread

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 425˚F.
  • In a small bowl, blend the butter, cheese, garlic powder and parsley until smooth.
  • Arrange the bread sliced on a large baking sheet and coat the top side with the garlic butter.
  • Bake the bread in the oven until it’s toasted and golden brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Notes

Garlic Toast is best enjoyed as soon as it’s baked. 
You can make the garlic butter up to 3 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Use leftovers to top steamed vegetables or steak.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 208mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 273IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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