This cheesy garlic bread hits the sweet spot between a shatteringly crisp crust, a soft, buttery center, and a thick blanket of gooey, golden melted cheese.
Prep time: 10 mins
Bake time: 12–15 mins
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
1 large French baguette or Italian loaf (split lengthwise or scored into thick slices)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
¼ tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
Make the garlic herb butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, fresh parsley, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix with a fork until smooth and well blended.
Prep the bread: Slice the loaf in half lengthwise (or make deep 1-inch diagonal cuts along the top without cutting all the way through if you prefer a pull-apart style). Place the loaf cut-side up on the baking sheet.
Spread and top: Generously spread the garlic butter over the cut surface, ensuring it reaches right to the edges. Sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan, then pile on the shredded mozzarella in a thick, even layer.
Bake to perfection: Bake for 10–12 minutes until the bread is warm and crisp around the edges and the cheese is fully melted.
Broil for color: Switch the oven to high broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese blisters with golden-brown spots.
Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, scatter a little extra fresh parsley over the top, slice into thick pieces, and serve immediately while the cheese pull is at its peak.