Have you ever had a meal in which your favorite part was the garlic bread?

Don’t get me wrong, I love pasta and soup and all of the other delicious entrees. But really good garlic bread is hard to beat.

The garlicky flavor, melty cheese, and soft, fluffy bread come together to make such a satisfying appetizer or side. I love dipping garlic bread in warm marinara sauce for an extra tasty dish.

This cheesy sourdough garlic bread is one of the best garlic bread recipes I’ve ever had! The garlic and parmesan pair with the slightly tart sourdough for a zesty, delicious homemade garlic bread.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to make: This garlic bread comes together in about 15 minutes for an easy and absolutely delicious side.

Goes with everything: Garlic bread is the perfect side dish for a variety of main dishes. Add it to your favorite pasta dishes, meat dishes, and just about every other entree. You can’t go wrong with a side of garlic bread!

Simple Ingredients: With just bread, butter, garlic, and herbs, you don’t need anything special to make this garlic bread that is full of flavor.

Why Use Sourdough Bread?

Sourdough bread is very similar to regular white yeast bread, but it has some added benefits.

Traditional sourdough bread is long fermented, meaning it rises for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Sourdough fermentation allows the bread to be more nutritious, easier to digest, and have a lower glycemic index. Many individuals with sensitivities to gluten can eat properly fermented sourdough without digestive issues.

In addition, sourdough often has a slightly tart flavor compared to yeast bread. This flavor makes garlic bread more flavorful and complex. I find that the sourness of sourdough goes really well with parmesan cheese and makes the garlic bread taste saltier and more savory.

Sourdough Garlic Bread Ingredients

Sourdough Bread: Any of your favorite sourdough loaves will work for this recipe. If you have your own sourdough starter and want to make your bread, I recommend opting for a crusty boule or a baguette.

Butter: Softened butter is very spreadable so every square inch of your bread is covered in flavorful goodness. If you like to make your own homemade butter, this is a great recipe to use it. Olive oil will work too, but I recommend using a pastry brush to spread it.

Fresh garlic: An essential for garlic bread, of course. To get the most garlic flavor possible, use freshly minced garlic cloves. I prefer to use a garlic press, but you can also mince your garlic with a knife.

Dried herbs: We’ll be using an Italian seasoning mix to get the flavor of lots of different herbs in one easy package.

Fresh parsley: Fresh parsley adds a slightly earthy flavor and gives the garlic bread some added color to make it more visually appealing.

Parmesan cheese: Melty cheese makes every garlic bread better. This cheesy sourdough garlic bread is some of the best bread ever!

Variations

Different cheese: Try any of your favorite cheese types instead of (or in addition to) the parmesan! Fontina cheese, mozzarella cheese, or pecorino romano would be great choices.

Fresh herbs: Add fresh basil or thyme for extra flavor.

Roasted Garlic: Instead of fresh garlic, try some roasted garlic in your butter spread. Learn how to roast garlic in our easy roasted garlic recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute minced garlic from a jar?

I don’t recommend using garlic from a jar in place of fresh garlic. The flavor will be very different. Garlic powder would be a suitable substitute in a pinch, but the garlic flavor won’t be as strong.

How do you keep leftover garlic bread?

Leftover garlic bread can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for a couple of days. If you need to store the bread longer, it’s best to freeze the bread. Learn how to reheat garlic bread in our full article.

Can I make garlic bread in a toaster oven?

A toaster oven is likely too small for the full sourdough garlic bread recipe below. However, if you want to make a half- or quarter-loaf, a toaster oven will work great.

Bake the bread on the bake setting at 350° or use the toast function to make the bread slightly crispy. Be sure to watch your bread and prevent it from becoming dried out or burnt.

Can I make this garlic bread vegan?

Yes, this garlic bread is a great vegan side dish with a few substitutions! Use olive oil or vegan butter in place of the butter. You may substitute vegan cheese for the parmesan or omit the cheese altogether.

What kind of bread is best for sourdough garlic bread?

I like a French bread loaf or crusty artisan Italian bread. Any sourdough loaf that you enjoy will taste delicious!