Introduction

This Best Cheesy Garlic Bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining rich roasted garlic butter with gooey melted mozzarella on soft Hawaiian rolls. Perfect as a snack, side, or party appetizer, it’s irresistible and easy to make.

Best Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

8-10 garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
Pinch of salt
½ cup butter, melted (113g)
1 egg
¼ cup milk (60g)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp paprika
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
12 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sheet Rolls, kept in the full sheet form (or a French baguette of similar size)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped parsley and chili flakes for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix the peeled garlic cloves with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place in a small oven-safe pot with a lid or cover with foil, then roast for about 20 minutes until soft and golden.
Step 2: Mash the roasted garlic with a fork and set aside.
Step 3: In a bowl, combine the mashed garlic, melted butter, egg, milk, ½ teaspoon salt, paprika, and chopped parsley. Whisk thoroughly to create the garlic butter custard.
Step 4: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Using a sharp knife, carefully split the sheet of Hawaiian rolls into two halves. Place them on a large baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden and crispy.
Step 5: Pour the garlic butter custard into a larger pan. Dip each baked bread half into the mixture, fully coating all sides, then place back onto the baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake the coated bread at 350°F for 15-18 minutes until golden.
Step 7: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the bread. Set the oven to broil/grill and broil for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Step 8: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and chili flakes. Slice the bread into servings and enjoy warm.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter custard before dipping the bread.
Substitute fresh herbs like basil or oregano for parsley if preferred.
If you don’t have Hawaiian rolls, a sturdy French baguette works well for a similar texture.

Storage

Store leftover cheesy garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispness and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving to keep the bread from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this garlic bread ahead of time?

You can prepare the roasted garlic and garlic butter custard ahead and keep them refrigerated. Assemble and bake the bread fresh for the best texture and flavor.

Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of fresh garlic cloves?

Fresh garlic is best for roasting and flavor, but in a pinch, you can use about 2 teaspoons of pre-minced garlic. Adjust cooking time as pre-minced garlic roasts faster and may burn easily.

Best Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 96 reviews

This Best Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe features soft, roasted garlic blended into a rich butter custard, perfectly soaked into Hawaiian sweet rolls or a French baguette. Baked until golden and crispy, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a deliciously cheesy finish. An irresistible side that’s perfect for any occasion.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Garlic

8–10 garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
Pinch of salt

Garlic Butter Custard

½ cup butter, melted (113g)
1 egg
¼ cup milk (60g)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp paprika
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Bread and Toppings

12 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sheet Rolls, kept in the full sheet form (or replace with a French baguette of similar size)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped parsley and chili flakes for serving

Instructions

Roast Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Mix peeled garlic cloves with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Transfer to a mini oven-safe pot with a lid or cover with foil. Bake for about 20 minutes until the garlic is soft and golden. Mash the roasted garlic with a fork and set aside.
Prepare Garlic Butter Custard: In a bowl, combine the mashed roasted garlic, melted butter, egg, milk, salt, paprika, and chopped parsley. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
Preheat for Baking Bread: After roasting the garlic, reduce oven temperature to 350°F for baking the bread sheets.
Toast Bread Sheets: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the sheet of bread rolls into two halves horizontally. Place the halves on a large baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until they turn light golden and crispy.
Dip Bread in Custard: Transfer the garlic butter custard to a larger pan. Carefully dip the baked bread sheets or loaves into the custard, ensuring all sides are well coated with the mixture.
Bake Soaked Bread: Place the coated bread back onto the baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes until golden and fully soaked with flavors.
Add Cheese and Broil: Evenly cover the baked bread with shredded mozzarella cheese. Change the oven setting to broil/grill and broil for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and chili flakes. Slice into servings and enjoy your cheesy garlic bread hot.

Notes

Use King’s Hawaiian rolls for a sweeter, softer bread or a French baguette for a more traditional texture.
Roasting the garlic mellows its sharpness and adds depth of flavor.
Be careful when dipping bread in the custard to avoid sogginess; lightly soak to keep a good texture.
Broiling the cheese at the end creates a beautiful golden crust and melty texture.
Adjust chili flakes according to your spice preference.

Keywords: cheesy garlic bread, garlic bread recipe, roasted garlic bread, Hawaiian rolls garlic bread, cheesy appetizer, party bread