Nothing beats the taste (and smell) of homemade Texas Toast. This easy Texas Toast Garlic Bread has a crispy, golden-brown exterior, a soft and fluffy center, and plenty of garlic butter flavor. Only four ingredients and 12 minutes to prep.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Italian Bread - I tested this recipe out with thick slices of Italian bread and Sara Lee Artesano bakery bread. The thicker sliced Italian bread gave me the best texture, with a crispy outside and fluffy inside. The Sara Lee Artesano bread also works if you don't have fresh Italian bread.
Butter - If you don't have butter, margarine is a good substitute. I've made this recipe with both softened and melted butter. Softened butter is easier to spread evenly over the bread, but melted butter works in a pinch.
Garlic - This bread is garlicky. If you prefer a less strong garlic flavor, only use three cloves. If you don't have any fresh garlic cloves, use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic powder works when you don't have fresh garlic on hand.
Fresh Parsley - You can substitute the parsley for 2 tablespoons of any fresh herbs like oregano or thyme.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Texas Toast Garlic Bread
Step 1: Mix together the softened butter, chopped parsley, and minced garlic (or garlic powder). Mix until smooth. If your butter isn't softened, you can microwave it in short bursts on low power.
Step 2: Slice the Italian bread (or thick white bread) into 1-inch-thick slices. You can use a serrated knife for a cleaner cut.
Step 3: Spread the garlic butter mixture on both sides of the bread slice and place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake in the oven for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. The bread is done when both sides are golden brown. Add cheese to the top of the bread slices after flipping if you like.
Add Cheese to Your Texas Garlic Toast
If you happen to have a spare bag of cheese in your fridge, throw 1-2 tablespoons of cheese on each slice for a cheesier toast.
Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Italian blend cheeses are great options! I tested this with Italian blend cheese and liked the extra cheesy flavor.
Tips for the Best Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- Use thick Italian bread for the best texture. It gives you a crispy exterior and fluffy center.
- Soften the butter for easier spreading. It takes about 30-45 minutes at room temperature.
- Melted butter works in a pinch.
- Use a serrated knife for cleaner, more even slices.
- Bake until golden brown. The outside should be crispy while the center stays soft and fluffy.
- Adding cheese? Sprinkle it over the bread after flipping so it melts during the second half of baking.
- Serve with pasta or lasagna for an easy side dish.
Can I use regular sliced bread if I don't have a loaf?
Sure can! I also tested this recipe with Sara Lee Artesano bakery bread.
Spread about one tablespoon of the garlic parsley butter on each slice of bread. The toast won't be as fluffy as if you used a loaf of Italian bread, but it's still good!
Texas Toast Garlic Bread (Crispy & Fluffy)
Ingredients
- 16 tablespoons salted butter softened (2 stick)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 8 cloves minced garlic or ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- Optional: ¾ cup Italian-blend cheese, Parmesan, or mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, and minced garlic (or garlic powder). Mix until well combined and smooth. If your butter isn't softened, you can microwave it in short bursts on low power (10-15 seconds at a time), checking and stirring frequently.
- Slice the Italian bread into 1-inch-thick slices.
- Generously spread the garlic butter mixture on both sides of each bread slice. Make sure to get all the way to the edges for even flavor in every bite.
- Place the buttered bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes, then flip and bake for another 9 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crisp around the edges.
- If using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the bread during the last 9 minutes of baking.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!