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This easy skillet garlic bread is my go-to recipe—it’s buttery, garlicky, and perfectly cheesy, made right in a cast-iron skillet. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a quick and delicious side for any meal!
The Easiest Garlic Bread Recipe
Here’s how I make garlic bread without an oven—it’s super easy and delicious, especially if you don’t have an oven at home!
This skillet garlic bread recipe uses the stove top, and I always use a cast-iron skillet because it retains heat well, ensuring the bread gets evenly toasted. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, no worries! A regular pan works just fine. But honestly, the cast-iron makes the bread extra crispy, plus the beautiful grill marks, which is totally worth it if you have one!
In just 15 minutes and a few simple steps, I get to enjoy golden, crispy garlic bread that tastes just as good, if not better, than what you’d get at a restaurant! Before jumping into the recipe, be sure to watch my quick recipe video! It’s a great way to see the steps in action and get a better idea of the technique, so you can make sure your skillet garlic bread turns out perfectly crispy and flavorful every time.
Looking for more recipes? Try oven baked Garlic Bread and Pull Apart Garlic Bread!
Why This Is A Must Try
- Ready in 15 minutes. It’s super quick—perfect for when I’m craving something tasty but don’t have much time.
- Perfectly crispy. I make sure to use a cast-iron skillet because it makes the bread evenly crispy, just like the kind I get at restaurants.
- Flavor-packed. The garlic butter spread is loaded with flavor from garlic, butter, and Parmesan, and my secret ingredient (find out below!), making every bite so good.
- Great for meal pairings. I love serving it with One Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Meatball Casserole, or even a cozy bowl of Classic Tomato Soup—it’s always a hit and disappears fast. —just like Italian restaurants!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- French bread – I recommend buying a loaf of French bread with a soft crust for the best result. If you don’t have French bread, regular bread works, but French bread really makes the difference!
- Salted butter
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is a must! Avoid garlic powder and stick with real garlic cloves. Mince it finely—the finer, the better. You want the garlic to infuse the bread with its full flavor, not leave big chunks.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Here’s a little secret: grated Parmesan cheese from a bottle is actually what many restaurants use. It gives the garlic bread an extra burst of flavor that’s sure to hit the spot!
- Italian parsley
- Chicken bouillon – This is the real secret ingredient! It adds that savory, restaurant-style depth to the garlic butter that takes it to the next level. Trust me, it’s what restaurants use!
- Salt
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full details on each ingredient.
How To Make Skillet Garlic Bread
Step 1. Slice the French bread into pieces and set aside.
Step 2. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Garlic Butter Spread together until well combined.
Step 3. Brush the garlic butter spread onto the French bread slices until the spread is used up, which should be enough for about 8 to 10 pieces, depending on the size of the bread.
Step 4. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place the garlic bread in the skillet, spread side down, and toast for about 2 minutes, using tongs to check for doneness. Toast until the garlic bread is golden brown. Serve immediately.
Secrets For Making Perfect Garlic Bread
- I never use garlic powder—fresh garlic is the key! I make sure to finely mince it so that the garlic really infuses the bread and gives it that bold, garlicky flavor. The finer, the better!
- Adding a little chicken bouillon to my garlic butter is a game-changer. I used ones without MSG.
- I always reach for my cast-iron skillet. It holds heat really well and gives the bread that even, crispy toast.
- I make sure to toast the bread on medium heat. If the heat’s too high, the bread will burn before it gets crispy, and too low won’t give it that perfect golden crust.
Shopping Guide: I use Knorr Selects Chicken Bouillon No MSG, in a small tub, trust me, it’s so good I use it on everything, without any guilt!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can prepare the garlic butter spread a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
Avoid covering it with a lid or foil, as this traps moisture and can make it soggy. If you’re not serving it right away, place the garlic bread on a cooling rack to let air circulate around it.
Yes, you can easily double the recipe if you’re serving a crowd. Just be sure not to overcrowd the skillet—toast the bread in batches if needed to ensure it cooks evenly.
You probably won’t have any leftovers. In case you do, you can wrap them up with aluminum foil and keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat them up in a toaster oven or microwave and they are almost like freshly made.
This skillet garlic bread recipe is only 148 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Skillet Garlic Bread
This recipe is perfect as an appetizer, but it also pairs wonderfully with salads, soups, and main dishes like Shrimp and Spinach Pasta. It’s especially delicious with creamy sauces, as the bread soaks up all that flavorful goodness.
For a wholesome, easy weeknight dinner, I recommend trying it alongside Chicken Marsala or these following recipes for a complete meal.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Skillet Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 8 -10 pieces French bread, sliced
Garlic Bread Spread
- 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) salted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, bottled
- 1 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Slice the French bread into pieces and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Garlic Butter Spread together until well combined.
- Brush the garlic butter spread onto the French bread slices until the spread is used up, which should be enough for about 8 to 10 pieces, depending on the size of the bread.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place the garlic bread in the skillet, spread side down, and toast for about 2 minutes, using tongs to check for doneness. Toast until the garlic bread is golden brown. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- I never use garlic powder—fresh garlic is the key! I make sure to finely mince it so that the garlic really infuses the bread and gives it that bold, garlicky flavor. The finer, the better!
- Adding a little chicken bouillon to my garlic butter is a game-changer. I used ones without MSG.
- I always reach for my cast-iron skillet. It holds heat really well and gives the bread that even, crispy toast.
- I make sure to toast the bread on medium heat. If the heat’s too high, the bread will burn before it gets crispy, and too low won’t give it that perfect golden crust.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can this be frozen before cooking and then cooked later? Meaning, can I make a batch and freeze it and then take some out as I want to use it?
Just make them and then freeze the garlic bread. It’s easier that way.
Are you using a baguette for this?
I used Italian bread/loaf.
I loved this recipe, but it appears a lot of my garlic stuck to the skillet. Would there be a way to avoid that? And am I supposed to melt the butter?
Yes melt the butter on medium to high heat and keep stirring the garlic so they won’t stick.
I am a lover of garlic and surely this bread is going to be amazing. Thank you for the recipe.
There are several ways to make “garlic bread,” but this is without doubt the tastiest–and possibly the most time consuming. It works best with a main dish that can either be made in the oven, ie lasagna or other baked pasta dish, or simmers on the stove top without a lot of attention. This is REALLY YUMMY!
I love this skillet garlic bread better as the surface is crispy and nicely toasted, I am so glad you love my recipe!!
Thanks a million! For the fast answer AND the great recipe.. Barb.
Thanks Barbara for trying this skillet garlic bread recipe.
You mentioned a bottled Parmesan cheese, I am not familiar with this. Is there a special place to find it? Or by chance you meant cheese like Kraft in the can? Thanks for the quick and easy recipe! I will be making garlic bread more often now. Barb
It’s Kraft grated cheese in the green bottle.
…nice, nice, nice.
Yes, these skillet garlic bread are amazing!
Sorry, I just found it. I didn’t scroll down far enough.
Keep up the good work!
Molly
I am glad you found the skillet garlic bread recipe.