This quick garlic bread with pesto comes together in no time.
Simple to make and full of flavor, this garlic bread works as a starter, a soup accompaniment, or a tasty side for dinner. Whether hosting guests or satisfying a craving, this straightforward recipe delivers crunchy, aromatic slices in minutes. Ready to make easy garlic bread? Let’s cook in the bistro kitchen.
Easy Garlic Bread Recipe With Pesto
When dining out we often expect bread to start the meal, but crusty, flavorful garlic bread can be hard to find. This recipe fixes that: it’s easy, crisp, and delicious. With just a handful of ingredients you can make a batch that keeps well in the freezer for unexpected guests.
I recommend using a soft pre-baked French baguette for the best texture. Unlike cheesy garlic bread, which often calls for a crusty loaf, this version benefits from a softer baguette that soaks up the pesto butter and crisps up on the outside.
What You Need For This Recipe
The ingredients are minimal and easy to source. For best results have the following on hand:
- Butter (unsalted recommended)
- Arugula pesto (or your preferred pesto)
- Fresh garlic
- Soft baguette
The exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
How To Make Garlic Bread
- Remove unsalted butter from the fridge to soften slightly so it’s easy to work with.
- Place 3–4 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Stir to soften, then add about 1 tablespoon of pesto.
- Add minced fresh garlic and mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (225°C). Take the baguette and make thick slices about 4 inches long (≈2 cm), cutting almost all the way through but leaving the base intact.
- Spoon the garlic–pesto butter into the slices, and spread a little on top of the loaf.
- Wrap the baguette in foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Open the foil and return the bread to the oven for a few minutes to crisp and brown the top.
- Remove from the oven, spread any remaining butter over the warm bread, and serve immediately.
Can You Freeze Garlic Bread?
Yes. You have two convenient options:
- Assemble the bread with the pesto butter between the slices, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze before baking.
- Or bake the wrapped loaf for about 5 minutes, cool completely, then freeze. When ready to serve, thaw and bake for 8–10 minutes until heated through and crisp.
Serve Garlic Bread With
This garlic bread pairs well with many soups and mains. Try it with:
- French onion soup
- Roasted tomato soup
- Cauliflower soup
- Broccoli soup
More Ingredient Options
Customize the flavor by adding or swapping ingredients:
- Garlic butter: mix minced garlic and chopped parsley into butter for a classic spread.
- Basil pesto: substitute basil pesto for arugula pesto for a different herbal profile.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: chop and fold into the butter mixture for extra tang and texture.
Enjoy making this easy garlic bread — it’s fast, flavorful, and perfect for keeping on hand.
Easy Garlic Bread
12
3 minutes
15 minutes
18 minutes
Try this quick and easy garlic bread that you can serve as a side dish or as a starter. Make with soft French baguette and pesto.
Ingredients
- 1 soft baguette
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F / 200°C.
- Mix the butter, minced garlic, and arugula pesto into softened butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cut the soft bread almost all the way through into 4 inch / 2 cm slices.
- Smear garlic butter between the slices.
- Spread some butter on top of the baguette and wrap the bread in foil.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the crust is crispy. Open the foil and let it bake 2–3 more minutes to brown the top.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 106
Total Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Sodium: 192mg
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Protein: 3g
Please note: Nutrition information is provided for informational purposes and may not be completely accurate.