Short Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen huh? Same. This herbed garlic bread is the kind of snack that fixes everything. Hungry roomie? Invite them. Dinner needs extra carbs? Sorted. Feeling dramatic and want to drown your salad in buttered bread? No judgment here.

This recipe is fast. It smells like victory. It also makes your kitchen look like you Know What You Are Doing with almost zero effort. Stick a loaf under the broiler for a couple minutes and boom you are a culinary legend in your own head.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Why is this recipe a keeper Okay, first off it is stupid easy. Seriously idiot proof. Even if you burn toast with suspicious regularity this one forgives you. Salt, butter, herbs, garlic. Little work huge payoff. What is not to love.

It also plays well with leftovers. Have some pasta, soup, or a sad salad? This bread turns them into a meal. Want to go fancy and make it into garlic bread pizza later? Do it. FYI I sometimes add a sprinkle of cheese and call it a masterpiece.

Want a veggie twist while you are here Check out this cheeky zucchini bread idea if you are feeling experimental. No pressure though. The plain version is already a win.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1/4 cup Country Crock® Spread
1 teaspoon mixed herbs dry
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (12 ounce) loaf French or Italian bread

Keep it simple. No heroic butter sculpting required. If you grab the spread out of the fridge and pretend it melted while microwaving for three seconds that counts as effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven broiler. Keep an eye on it this whole time. Broilers are dramatic and fast.
Combine all ingredients except bread in a small bowl. Stir until everything looks evenly mixed and delicious.
Arrange bread on a baking sheet. Spread with herb mixture. Get into the corners and edges like you mean it.
Broil until golden about 2 minutes. Watch closely. One second too long turns golden into charcoal and then we cry a little.
Remove from oven and slice. Serve immediately while the top is perfectly toasty and the inside is warm and soft.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven Rookie mistake. Broilers take a minute to wake up and you want even browning.
Walking away during broiling Big no no. The broiler does not care about your multitasking skills. Keep your eyes on it.
Skimping on the spread If you under-butter your bread you will regret it. This is no time to be frugal. More flavor equals more applause.
Using stale bread unless you are going for croutons If your loaf is rock hard try reviving it with a few drops of water and a quick bake, or use it for breadcrumbs later.
Overcrowding the baking sheet Give slices a little space. Crowding makes them steam not crisp.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Country Crock® Spread replacement Want real butter Go for it. Prefer olive oil for a lighter version that still packs flavor That works too. I like mixing olive oil with a tiny bit of spread for texture.
Herbs swap Use fresh parsley basil or oregano if you have them. Fresh herbs change the vibe from cozy to chefy in one chop. If using fresh, use about three times the amount compared to dry.
Garlic swap Out the garlic powder for 1 to 2 cloves of minced fresh garlic if you crave a sharper garlic punch. Fresh garlic is bold so start with less and add next time if you get carried away.
Bread options Any crusty loaf works. Sourdough baguettes ciabatta or even thick sliced sandwich bread in a pinch. Each one changes texture so experiment. IMO the classic French or Italian loaf gives the best chew and crust combo.
Add cheese Want cheesy bread Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or parmesan before broiling. Cheese makes everything a party.

FAQ

Q Why is my garlic bread soggy rather than crisp
A Did you let the spread melt into the bread instead of staying on top Try spreading a thin even layer and broiling until the top crisps. If your oven heats unevenly rotate the sheet once.

Q Can I use margarine instead of butter or spread
A Well technically yes but why hurt your soul like that Margarine works though the flavor will be different. Use a good quality spread for the best result.

Q Can I prep this ahead of time and bake later
A Totally. Assemble the bread on the baking sheet cover with foil and refrigerate for a few hours. Broil right before serving to get that fresh crisp.

Q How do I make this for a crowd
A Double the mix and use two loaves. You can also slice the loaf before spreading then reassemble after brushing to get more surface area crisp. Works great at parties.

Q Is garlic powder okay if I do not have fresh garlic
A Yes garlic powder is convenient and consistent. Fresh garlic gives a brighter flavor but powder keeps things simple and safe.

Q Can I freeze leftover garlic bread
A Yep wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep crispness.

Q What is the best way to reheat this without losing crispness
A Pop it back under the broiler for a quick minute or reheat in a preheated oven at 350 F for 5 to 10 minutes. Your bread will thank you.

Final Thoughts

You made it this far which means you either really love garlic bread or you are procrastinating on something else. Either way you win. This recipe is quick forgiving and utterly delicious. Serve it with pasta soup or just stand in the kitchen and eat it straight from the baking sheet No judgement.

Key takeaways Keep an eye on the broiler use enough spread and experiment with herbs or cheese. Once you master this you will get texts asking for your secret recipe. Smile mysteriously and say it is all in the crust.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills You have earned it

Conclusion

Want to compare notes or get fancy variations Check out these great resources for more inspiration and alternate takes on herbed garlic bread. For a classic take try this Herbed Garlic Bread Recipe from Tyler Florence on Food Network Herbed Garlic Bread Recipe | Tyler Florence | Food Network. If you love easy endless tweaks Nomaste Hungry has a solid guide called The Best Herbed Garlic Bread The Best Herbed Garlic Bread – Nomaste Hungry. For a homey scratch style version peek at Garlic Herb Bread on Barefeet in the Kitchen Garlic Herb Bread – Barefeet in the Kitchen.