Make this crazy, good homemade cheesy garlic bread in under an hour! It’s got a super easy bread base and a killer garlic butter topping. Perfect for any dinner.

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Ever have one of those days where everything goes sideways, like forgetting to feed your sourdough starter or your family begging for dinner ASAP and you don’t have anything planned? That’s where this cheesy garlic bread comes in clutch.

It’s a total lifesaver!

I whipped it up on a chaotic day, using instant yeast to keep things quick. You get a crispy, cheesy, garlic-packed loaf that’s awesome with chicken parmesan or whatever you’re craving.

No long rising times needed. Just simple, homemade goodness.

So let’s get into it!

If you’d rather watch than read, check out this video where I make this delicious garlic cheese bread from scratch in under an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why you’ll love this amazing recipe:

Fast and Simple: With this easy homemade cheesy garlic bread recipe, you’re done in under an hour, start to finish. Mixing the dough takes minutes. And there’s no waiting for a sourdough starter to wake up. It’s perfect for those busy nights when you still want fresh bread.
So Tasty: The combo of rich garlic butter made with real grated garlic and a pile of melty cheese means every bite is packed with flavor. It’s garlicky enough to satisfy but not overpowering, and the cheese stretches just right.
Goes With Anything: This homemade cheesy garlic bread’s a champ next to spaghetti, a bowl of tomato soup, or even as a snack on its own. It’s flexible enough to fit any meal you’re throwing together.
Better Than Store-Bought Garlic Bread: You can whip up the best homemade cheesy garlic bread with ingredients like flour, butter, and fresh parsley that you might already have on hand. It beats those frozen versions by a mile, with no odd preservatives. Just pure, simple flavors from your pantry. Try it with our Quick French Loaf for the perfect base, and you’ll end up with homemade garlic bread so delicious you won’t believe you made it yourself!
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect garlic bread hooks everyone. Kids gobble up the melty cheese, adults crave that sharp garlic bite, and you can easily amp it up (more cheese, anyone?) to match your vibe.

What You’ll Need:

INGREDIENTS

For the Bread:

1 cup warm water (not too hot, just comfy)
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg white (for brushing on top)

For the Homemade Garlic Butter Topping:

½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
3–4 garlic cloves, grated (go big if you love garlic)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1–2 cups shredded cheese: Mozzarella cheese, Provel (if you can find it), or any other melty kinds of cheese you like

ingredients for making homemade cheesy garlic bread

TOOLS:

Large mixing bowl
Fork or whisk (whatever’s clean)
Measuring cups and spoons
Parchment paper
Cookie sheet or baking tray
Oven (bonus if it’s got a proof setting)
Brush (for the egg wash)
Grater (for the garlic)
Knife (to slice the bread)

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Mix It Up: Grab a big bowl and combine 1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon instant yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon softened butter. Stir it until mixed. Add 3 cups flour—start with 1 cup, mix with a fork, then add the rest until you’ve got a nice homemade dough.

flour and water mixed together in a bowl

2. Knead the Dough: Dump the dough on a floured counter and knead it for 5–7 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy.

3. Shape: Roll it out into a long loaf, like a baguette, and set it on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

4. Let It Rest: Pop it in a warm spot—like your oven on “proof” if you’ve got it—for 20 minutes. If it’s just sitting out, give it 30–40 minutes until it puffs up a little. 5. Brush it: Whisk 1 egg white until it’s foamy, then brush it over the top of the dough.

6. Bake: Crank your oven to 425°F. Bake the bread for 18–20 minutes ‘til the crust’s golden brown. Let it cool for 10 minutes.

7. Garlic Butter Time: In a bowl, mix ½ cup softened butter, 3–4 grated garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley until it’s all blended.

making of garlic butter topping for homemade cheesy garlic bread

8. Load It Up: Cut the bread in half lengthwise or into slices—your call. Slather on a thick layer of garlic butter, then pile on 1–2 cups shredded cheese.

bread with cheese on top for homemade cheesy garlic bread

9. Bake It Again: Stick it back on the tray and bake at 425°F for 5–7 minutes until the cheese melts. If you want it bubbly, hit the broiler for 1 minute, but watch it close!

10. Dig In: Let it cool just a bit, slice it up, and eat it hot!

FAQ

1. Does it matter if I use salted or unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor, especially with salty cheese and garlic already in the mix. If all you’ve got is salted butter, just leave out the added salt in the garlic mixture—it’ll still turn out great.

2. Can I use Store-bought sandwich bread instead of making the dough?

You can, although this particular recipe recommends a homemade base. Using sandwich bread skips the yeast mixture and kneading steps, saving time.

3. I’m sensitive to strong flavors; can I use less garlic?

Totally. If a full garlic clove (or several) feels like too much, just cut it down to one or two. You’ll still get that buttery garlic flavor without it being overwhelming.

4. What kind of cheese works best for this cheesy bread?

You want melty kinds of cheese like mozzarella, Provel, or even a cheese blend. Melted cheese is what makes this bread extra gooey and satisfying, so don’t hold back.

Tips

A good loaf of bread doesn’t just happen, you know. Here’s a bunch of tips to get you the cheesy crust you crave.

Instant yeast keeps it quick: There’s no waiting. If you’ve only got active dry yeast, let it bubble in the warm water and sugar first.
Bake that first loaf until it’s a deep golden color so the crust stays strong under the butter and cheese.
Fresh garlic and parsley kick it up a notch, so don’t skip them.
Cheese amount is flexible: 1 cup is solid, 2 cups is extra gooey. Your kitchen, your rules.

Storage:

Keep leftovers in a zip-top bag or wrapped in foil on the counter for up to 2 days.

To reheat, pop it in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes—crust crisps up, cheese melts again.

And if you want to freeze your garlic cheese bread, wrap it (before adding cheese) and store it for up to a month. Bake from frozen, just add a few extra minutes.

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