You will love this recipe for easy cheesy garlic bread! The combination of soft French bread, lots of bubbly melted cheese, a buttery, garlic center and a crispy outer crust is so delicious. This recipe is great as an appetizer, as a side to soup or supper (like lasagna!), or on its own with a protein added on top.

You can use store bought French bread or give this recipe a try! Even if you are beginning bread maker, you will love how simple it is to make. It results in 2 giant loaves, or 4 smaller French bread loaves so you can share with someone else!

Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread Ingredients:

French Bread– You can use some from the grocery store or make your own with this recipe!

Butter– Use good quality, salted butter.

Garlic Powder– I like to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. It’s a little bit easier and not quite as potent (for my kids). If you are a garlic lover, you can definitely use fresh! You can also cut a clove of garlic and rub it on the toasted loaf half to add fresh garlic flavor.

Mayonnaise– This may sound like a surprising ingredient in this recipe, but you will only be using a small amount with the cheese. It truly creates the most delicious “sauce” under the cheese and adds a lot of flavor to the cheesy garlic bread.

Cheddar Cheese– It takes a little extra time, but I would recommend shredding your own cheese! It makes a huge difference in taste and texture on the baked bread.

Mozzarella Cheese– Mozzarella adds the perfect stretch and delicious melty texture to this recipe.

Parmesan Cheese– Parmesan adds the most delicious salty bite to this recipe!

Onion Powder: This really adds extra flavor and tastes delicious once it is baked into the cheeses.

Dried Parsley or Italian seasoning– It’s up to you which you would like to use. Both are delicious! The Italian seasoning will add flavor, the parsley will not. You can also add thinly sliced green onion for a pop of green AND great flavor if you’d like!

How to make easy cheesy homemade garlic bread

homemade French bread for cheesy garlic bread

Slice your French bread loaf in half, lengthwise. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together cheeses, mayo and onion powder. Add spice if you want to add a little heat to your bread.
Spread 3 tablespoons butter on each half the French bread. Sprinkle with garlic powder and a little bit of salt on top of the butter.
On a griddle, brown each slice of French bread until golden.
Spread cheese mixture on top of each toasted half loaf. Top with dried parsley or Italian seasonings.
Place French bread pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 425° for 12 minutes. Flip oven to broil (STAND BY!) and pull out as soon as the cheese is hot and bubbly. Watch closely or it will brown and burn quickly.
If desired, add thinly sliced green onion.
Serve HOT! This bread will disappear quickly. It makes a great appetizer, side to soup or dinner (like lasagna) or even makes a great meal if you want to add a protein to it (like shredded chicken or pepperoni).

Tips and tricks for making the best cheese bread

First of all, this bread is best enjoyed hot out of the oven. Be sure to plan on making it when you can eat it right away, fresh and warm out of the oven. This would be such a hit at your next Super Bowl party!
You can use store bought French bread and pre-shredded cheese for this recipe, however, I think it is so delicious with homemade bread and freshly grated cheese. I know it takes extra work to grate your own, but the result in texture is SO worth it!
Want to make variations of this recipe? You can add spices or thinly sliced green onions to the cheese mix, or even add some red sauce under the cheese! You can also add protein, like pepperoni or shredded chicken.
TIP: Flip the oven to broil for the last minute or so of baking the bread. It will help the cheese bubble up and get nice and hot and melted!

Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread

Print Recipe

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American, French, Italian

Ingredients

1 Loaf French Bread Sliced lengthwise
6 Tablespoons Salted butter softened
Garlic Powder
Salt
1 Fresh Garlic clove sliced in half
2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Cup Best Foods (REAL) Mayonnaise
1/4 Teaspoon Onion powder
Dried Parsley, OR Italian seasonings OR Thinly sliced green onion

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together cheeses, mayo and onion powder. Add spice like red pepper flakes or cayenne if you want to add a little heat to your bread. Set mixture aside or in the fridge.
2. Slice your French bread loaf in half, lengthwise. Set aside.
3. Spread 3 tablespoons butter on each half the French bread.
4. Sprinkle with garlic powder (more if you like stronger flavor!) and a little bit of salt on top of the butter.
4. On a griddle, brown each slice of French bread until golden. Cut your clove of garlic in half and rub it on the browned loaves for extra garlic flavor.
5. Spread cheese mixture on top of each toasted half loaf. Top with dried parsley or Italian seasonings .
6. Place French bread pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 425° for 12 minutes. Flip oven to broil (STAND BY!) and pull out as soon as the cheese is hot and bubbly (about 1 minute). Watch closely or it will brown and burn quickly!
7. If desired, add thinly sliced green onion.
Serve HOT! This bread will disappear quickly. It makes a great appetizer, side to soup or dinner (like lasagna) or even makes a great meal if you want to add a protein to it (like shredded chicken or pepperoni).

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Easy 4 Ingredient Artisan Bread

Cheesy Garlic and Herb Knots

Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites