Sourdough Cheesy Garlic Bread
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This sourdough cheesy garlic bread is made with a loaf of sourdough French bread, generously spread with homemade garlic herb butter, and topped with freshly grated mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese.
Baked until golden brown with perfectly melted, bubbly cheese, this easy sourdough garlic bread has crispy edges, a soft, buttery center, and plenty of delicious garlic flavor. It’s the perfect side dish for pasta, soups, salads, or your favorite comfort meals.
Okay, I had been craving cheesy garlic bread for a while. So I made a double batch of my sourdough french bread recipe and saved a couple of the loaves for this delicious side dish. It goes great with marinara sauce as a side, or along with dinner! But really, it’s fantastic on its own!
This cheesy French bread is so simple to make! And if you want to make it even easier, just head to the grocery store and pick up some french bread from there to make it! Though I highly recommend making my French bread recipe next time, because it’s so good.
Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Quick and easy to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, this cheesy garlic bread comes together in about 30 minutes.
- Perfectly crispy and cheesy. The sourdough French bread develops deliciously crispy, golden edges while the center stays soft and buttery, topped with plenty of gooey, melted cheese.
- Loaded with garlic flavor. A homemade garlic herb butter made with fresh garlic, garlic powder, and parsley adds rich, savory flavor to every bite.
- Made with two delicious cheeses. Freshly grated mozzarella creates that irresistible cheese pull, while sharp cheddar adds an extra layer of rich, cheesy flavor.
- A great way to use homemade sourdough bread. If you love baking sourdough French bread, this recipe is a delicious way to turn a homemade loaf into an irresistible side dish the whole family will enjoy!
More Sourdough Side Dishes to Try!
- sourdough discard naan
- sourdough cheddar jalapeno pretzels
- sourdough ham and swiss pockets
- sourdough discard pepperoni pizza hot pockets
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Slice the sourdough French bread in half lengthwise and place cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 2: Mix the softened butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, and chopped parsley, reserving some parsley for garnish.
Step 3: Spread the garlic butter evenly over both halves of the bread. Top with freshly grated mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired. Sprinkle with reserved parsley, slice, and enjoy!
Helpful Tips for the BEST Sourdough Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Use homemade sourdough French bread. A loaf of sourdough French bread is the perfect base for this recipe. I like to use day old French bread. Its slightly tangy flavor pairs beautifully with the rich garlic butter and melted cheese, while the crust becomes deliciously crispy in the oven.
- Use softened butter. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing in the garlic and parsley. This makes it easier to spread evenly over the bread without tearing the soft interior.
- Freshly grate your cheese. For the best flavor and melt, grate your mozzarella and sharp cheddar directly from the block. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking ingredients that can prevent it from melting as smoothly.
- Don’t skimp on the garlic butter. Spread the garlic herb butter generously and evenly over both halves of the bread, making sure to reach all the way to the edges. This ensures every bite is buttery and full of garlic flavor.
- Use fresh garlic and parsley. Freshly minced garlic provides a delicious, bold garlic flavor, while fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness that balances the richness of the cheese and butter.
- Broil for a golden, bubbly topping. For an extra crispy, golden cheese topping, broil the bread for 1–2 minutes after baking. Watch it carefully, as the cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly. Remove the parchment paper before broiling.
- Serve immediately. Sourdough cheesy garlic bread is best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the cheese is warm and gooey, the garlic butter has soaked into the bread, and the edges are perfectly crisp.
Equipment Needed
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Serrated bread knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater
- Butter knife or offset spatula
- Cutting board
How to Store Sourdough Cheesy Garlic Bread
• Refrigerator: Allow the cheesy garlic bread to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: For the best results, reheat leftover cheesy garlic bread in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is melted. If reheating from frozen, allow a few additional minutes.
• Air Fryer: Reheat individual slices in an air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes, or until the bread is warm and the cheese is bubbly. Keep an eye on the bread to prevent burning.
Tip: Avoid reheating cheesy garlic bread in the microwave if possible, as it can make the bread soft and chewy instead of crispy.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough French bread sliced in half lengthwise
- ½ cup 113 g salted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped, divided
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups about 226 g freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup about 57 g freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prepare the bread. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the loaf of sourdough French bread in half lengthwise, creating two long halves. Place both halves on the prepared baking sheet with the cut sides facing up.
- Make the garlic herb butter. In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened salted butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, and most of the freshly chopped parsley, reserving a small amount of parsley for garnishing after baking. Mix until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the garlic and herbs are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Spread the garlic butter. Using a butter knife or offset spatula, generously spread the garlic herb butter over the cut side of each bread half. Make sure to spread the butter evenly, reaching all the way to the edges so every bite is filled with delicious garlic flavor.
- Add the cheese. Evenly distribute the freshly grated mozzarella cheese over both halves of the bread. Sprinkle the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese over the mozzarella, making sure both halves are generously covered.
- Bake the garlic bread. Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, the edges of the bread are golden brown, and the garlic butter has melted into the bread.
- Broil for a golden finish (optional). For an extra golden, slightly crispy cheese topping, switch the oven to broil and broil for an additional 1–2 minutes. Watch the bread very carefully during this step, as the cheese can brown or burn quickly. If broiling, make sure the parchment paper is rated for use under the broiler, or remove it before broiling.
- Garnish and serve. Remove the cheesy garlic bread from the oven and allow it to cool for 2–3 minutes. Sprinkle the reserved freshly chopped parsley over the melted cheese. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice each half into individual pieces. Serve warm and enjoy!
This sourdough garlic cheesy French bread is sooo good! My family absolutely loved it. Let me know what you think if you make it!