How to Make Sourdough Garlic Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are a fan of garlic bread, then you understand that there is just something about the crispy, buttery goodness of a homemade loaf. Well, add to that the rich, tangy flavor of sourdough, and you elevate your garlic bread to a completely new level of deliciousness. I have made my fair share of garlic bread, but let me tell you, sourdough garlic bread has quickly become my absolute favorite. That chewy interior, with the golden and crunchy crust, is just too tempting. Be it for pasta as a side dish or just having a flavorful snack, this sourdough garlic bread will make much difference in your kitchen once you learn how to make it from scratch.

In the following, I have prepared a detailed guide on how to prepare the perfect sourdough garlic bread, from the ingredients that you will use— that homemade garlic butter— to baking tips guaranteed to give you the perfect texture, thereby having this delicious bread over and over again. Believe me, once you try this sourdough garlic bread recipe, it will be a staple at home!

What Makes Sourdough Garlic Bread Special?

Sourdough garlic bread is not just any ordinary garlic bread—it’s the ultimate comfort food, combining the best of both worlds: the savory, buttery garlic spread and the tangy, chewy goodness of freshly baked sourdough. If you’ve ever had a slice of freshly baked garlic bread made from sourdough, you’ll understand why it’s a game-changer. Where the natural tang of sourdough starter gives it a depth of flavor so much richer than traditional garlic bread, it’s a little bit crispy, a little bit soft, and absolutely packed with flavor.

Versatility of Sourdough Garlic Bread

One of the things I love most about sourdough garlic bread is how versatile it is. Whether served as a side to comfort pasta, dipped in a bowl of warm soup, or even enjoyed as a snack on an afternoon, this bread elevates one’s meal. And the best part? Surprisingly, it’s not hard to make once you get the hang of it. Even if you’re not an advanced baker, this sourdough garlic bread recipe I’ll be guiding you through today is really simple and to the point, with just the right balance of tangy sourdough flavor and the perfect garlic-butter coating.

The Joy of Making Sourdough Garlic Bread at Home

By the time you go through the whole process and bake your homemade sourdough garlic bread, you’re actually not baking just bread—you’ll treat your kitchen with irresistible smells and give a bit more joy to this day. That is what is so distinctive about this recipe from other recipes of garlic bread—the inside is chewy and airy, and outside, crispy. Trust me, and once you bake a loaf of this sourdough garlic bread in your very own home, never will you ever crave that store-bought garlic bread again—it’s that good!

Essential Ingredients for Sourdough Garlic Bread

The ingredients make a big difference in making the best sourdough garlic bread. You do not want a ton of fancy things to make that perfect loaf, just a few things that work together to make the flavor pop and the texture absolutely irresistible.

Sourdough Bread

Well, the star of the show is obviously the sourdough bread! A tangy, well-fermented sourdough loaf brings so much character to this garlic bread. If you already have a homemade sourdough starter, then you are in for a real treat. That little bit of tang mixed with the chewy texture is just perfect as a base for garlic bread. If you don’t have your own, store-bought sourdough will suffice just fine. Just be sure to pick up a good quality loaf with that distinct sourdough flavor and hearty crust!

Garlic

Next up is the garlic. Now, garlic is what gives garlic bread that irresistible punch of flavor. The fresher, the better! I highly recommend using fresh garlic cloves instead of garlic powder; it really does make a difference. Once it gets minced and combined with butter, all those rich, aromatic oils get released into making the bread smell and taste amazing. If you are like me and absolutely love garlic, feel free to throw in a little more since this is the starring role for that ingredient in this recipe.

Butter

Garlic and butter are the dream team for garlic bread. Here, you’ll want to use unsalted butter so that you can season it just right. When you melt the butter and mix it with garlic, you’re creating that luscious, rich spread that coats every nook and cranny of your sourdough slices. If you really want to take it to the next level, feel free to add a little olive oil for extra richness and moisture!

Parsley

For some freshness of herbs, you can never go wrong with parsley. It brings color and freshness to the mixture of garlic butter. I like to use the flat-leaf parsley because of its fresh, clean taste; however, you might also try other types of herbs if you want more adventure, like basil or thyme. And besides, it is green in color, just like it tastes!

Parmesan Cheese

Though not necessary, a little grated Parmesan cheese goes a long way to make your garlic bread really decadent. The nutty, salty flavor of the Parmesan really complements the pungency of the garlic and the tang of the sourdough, creating a more layered taste experience. Sprinkle it on top and bake for that golden cheesy crust that’s to die for!

These ingredients are basic, yet together create just the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. That pucker of the sourdough, rich with garlic butter and fresh herbs—just an elixir mingling in the most magical way with this sourdough garlic bread recipe to make it surely something you’re making over and over again. Seriously—you won’t want to stand there and not grab the first one. And if I’m being true to myself, maybe not the last slice either!

How to Make Sourdough Garlic Bread from Scratch

Making sourdough garlic bread from scratch can be a little daunting, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. The beauty of this recipe is that once you master it, it becomes super easy and quick to reproduce anytime you feel the urge. There’s just something so satisfying about creating this aromatic masterpiece in your own kitchen. So, let’s get right into it, and I’ll guide you through the entire process. Get ready to impress yourself with the ultimate homemade garlic bread!

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven & Prepare Your Sourdough

Preheat your oven to about 375°F (190°C) even before you touch that garlic butter—oh yum! This will help the oven warm up enough to bake the bread at the proper temperature. Slice your fresh homemade sourdough about 1 inch thick. If you’re using store-bought sourdough, that’s totally fine! Just slice it the same way and make sure you have enough slices to go around for everyone.

A little hint from me: Fresh sourdough is fantastic, but if your loaf is a bit stale, that actually works even better! The sourdough garlic bread tastes even better that way because the bread has that nice, crunchy texture.

Step 2: Prepare Garlic Butter Spread

Now, on to the mouthwatering garlic butter spread! Take a small bowl and heat about half a cup of unsalted butter. Once that’s nice and melted, mince 3-4 cloves of garlic (or more if you’re a garlic lover like me) and finely chop them into the butter. The heat from the melted butter will release those rich, garlicky oils, and trust me, it’s going to smell absolutely amazing! Add a pinch of salt if you’re using unsalted butter to bring everything together.

For extra flavor, mix in a tablespoon or so of fresh, chopped parsley. It adds a burst of color and fresh herbal notes to your garlic butter. If you want to get a little fancy, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese into the butter to give the spread an extra richness that takes it to the next level!

Step 3: Slather Sourdough with Garlic Butter

Now that your garlic butter is ready, it’s time to coat those slices of sourdough! Take each slice and slather a generous amount of garlic butter on one side of the bread. Make sure to cover every nook and cranny—this is where all the flavor will get absorbed. If you have any garlic butter left over, don’t hold back—use it later or drizzle a little more over the bread after baking for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 4: Bake Your Sourdough Garlic Bread to Perfection

Line a baking sheet with the buttered sourdough slices (use parchment paper for an easy cleanup if you’re feeling fancy), and place them in the preheated oven. Let them bake for about 10-15 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them. Keep a close eye on it—once the edges of the bread start turning golden brown and crispy, it’s time to pull them out.

If you want that golden, cheesy, crispy topping, sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on top of each slice during the last 2 minutes of baking and pop them back in for a quick melt. That cheesy crust? Yes, please!

Step 5: Enjoy Your Homemade Sourdough Garlic Bread

Once your sourdough garlic bread comes out of the oven, let it cool for just a minute (if you can wait that long!) before serving it up. The outside will be crispy and golden, and the inside will be soft, warm, and full of that tangy sourdough goodness, smothered in buttery, garlicky perfection. Whether you serve it as a side with pasta, dip it into soup, or enjoy it all by itself, each bite will make your taste buds sing.

That’s it! You’ve mastered sourdough garlic bread. It’s super easy, surprisingly quick, and absolutely delicious. Once you try this recipe, I am confident it will become a staple in your kitchen too. There’s just nothing quite like fresh, homemade garlic bread with the added flair of tangy sourdough to take it to a whole new level. Enjoy every crispy, buttery, garlicky bite!

Making the Perfect Garlic Butter for Your Sourdough Bread

Now, let’s go back to the real star of this recipe: the garlic butter! It’s a rich, flavored spread that takes this humble sourdough to a completely new dimension. And here’s the thing—you want to get this part just right, because it is what really gives your sourdough garlic bread this irresistible, mouthwatering punch. The perfect garlic butter isn’t just about tossing some garlic and butter together; it’s about infusing those flavors so every bite bursts with garlicky goodness, balanced richness, and a hint of herbaceous freshness. Let’s break it down!

Step 1: Start with High-Quality Butter

Butter is the base of your garlic butter, so you’ll want to make sure you’re using good-quality butter. I prefer the use of unsalted butter because it allows you full command over how much salt goes in. The most beautiful thing about unsalted butter is its not overpowering the garlic and herbs within. As that butter melts, it creates this luscious base there to coat each sourdough slice with all that melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The beauty of butter is in the smoothness and holding all the flavors together; trust me, you’re going to love it.

Step 2: Fresh Garlic for Maximum Flavor

The freshness of the garlic is absolutely key here. You can’t get that punch and aromatic depth with garlic powder like you can with fresh cloves. Fresh garlic has oils that release into the butter when minced, adding that savory, earthy kick to the spread. I use about 3-4 cloves of garlic for a nice, balanced flavor, but if you are like me and can’t get enough garlic, add more! Mince it fine so it will blend well into the butter.

Step 3: Gently Heat the Garlic and Butter Together

To achieve this garlic butter magic, the butter has to be melted on low heat. I think it is better if it’s in a small saucepan or a microwave bowl so that it doesn’t get overheated. As it starts melting, throw in the minced garlic and let the butter infuse for about 1-2 minutes. Here, the deal is not to overheat the garlic, because burnt garlic tastes bitter, which is the last thing we want! You just want the garlic to soften and release its oils, creating that deep, fragrant garlic essence.

Step 4: Season the Butter with Salt and Herbs

Once the garlic has been infused into the butter, it’s time to season! A pinch of salt is a must if using unsalted butter—salt is always the secret ingredient that makes everything pop. You can also add a touch of black pepper for a subtle bit of heat, but that is up to your discretion. I like stirring in chopped parsley for that fresh, herbaceous twist; the freshness and the vibrant green color just make it. If you want to get a little fancier, try messing around with basil, thyme, or even a sprinkle of dried oregano. The idea is to balance the richness of the butter and boldness of the garlic with fresh, fragrant herbs.

Step 5: Optional Flavor Boosts

Now, if you really want to kick it up a notch, there are a couple of optional flavor boosts I highly recommend. One of my favorite tricks is to add a spoonful of olive oil to the garlic butter—this adds extra richness and a silky texture that makes the butter even more luxurious. Another great addition is grated Parmesan cheese. It doesn’t just contribute to the flavor, but it also helps create that beautiful, golden, crispy crust when it bakes into the bread. Just a sprinkle will do the trick!

Step 6: Allow it to Stand and Meld Flavors

Let your garlic butter sit for a couple of minutes after you mix everything together to meld the flavors. This extra step will make sure that the butter is fully infused with all that delicious garlic and herb goodness. If you’re really short on time, you can skip this step, but I recommend it for maximum flavor. The longer it sits, the more intense the flavors will be!

Final Touch: Ready to Spread

Your garlic butter is now ready to work its magic on your sourdough! Just grab a brush or a spoon and start slathering the mixture generously onto your slices. Make sure each slice is well-coated, hitting every nook and cranny, because that is where all the magic happens. The result will be a perfectly balanced garlic butter that will transform your sourdough into a crispy, buttery, garlicky masterpiece.

But really, it’s like making the perfect love letter to your sourdough—really simple but just makes all the difference. The richness of the butter, the in-your-face punch of garlic, and the freshness of herbs come together to create something pretty much irresistible. The best part? You can make it as garlicky and bold, or subtly flavored with herbs, as you’d like. Either way, once you try your homemade sourdough garlic bread, you’ll never want to go to the store for it again!

Crispy, Fluffy Sourdough Garlic Bread Baking Tips

Now, on to the pièce de résistance—the baking of the sourdough garlic bread to that perfect, crispy, golden crust while keeping it soft and fluffy inside. It’s really all about finding that balance between crunch and fluffiness that will take this simple garlic bread into superhero status. But don’t be afraid of this bread being a kind of art to bake; rather, it is fun art, and I’ll give you all the tips to master it. Take out your oven mitts and help me get it just right!

Tip 1: Preheating Your Oven Like a Professional

First things first, even before you’d even think about putting those buttered sourdough slices into the oven, is to preheat the oven. And by preheat, I mean really preheat. Place it at 375°F or 190°C and let it heat up until baking. That will give an immediate cooking of the garlic bread as soon as it touches the pan for the crispiness that we love so much. If the oven isn’t properly preheated, you could get soggy bread, or things might not cook out even, and we don’t want that. Believe me, it is so worth it—that little bit of extra time in waiting.

Tip 2: Use a Baking Sheet or a Cast Iron Skillet

When baking the sourdough garlic bread, a good surface makes all the difference. You can use a generic baking sheet or, if you’re feeling extra fancy, go with a cast iron skillet. The cast iron skillet will be extra crispy because of the even retention and distribution of heat. Line your baking sheet in any case with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to help prevent burning of the butter. Because, rightly so, nobody wants that mess to stick with the pan.

Tip 3: Don’t Overcrowd the Slices

But when you’re laying your sourdough slices on the baking sheet, give them some room to breathe! You don’t want them too crowded together, because this makes them steam instead of crisp up. You want air to be able to get around each slice so they bake even and get that golden-brown crunch on the edges. Think of it like giving each slice its personal space with which to shine!

Tip 4: Flip ‘Em Halfway Through (Optional but Highly Recommended)

Well, if you’re looking for that extra crispiness, here’s a pro tip: flip your sourdough slices over about halfway through the baking time. This would be approximately 7 to 8 minutes in, at which point flipping the bread will allow the butter on both sides to crisp up, so every inch of that bread will be golden and crunchy. Of course, you don’t have to, but if you’re that person who likes even texture across, it is worth the little effort.

Tip 5: Don’t Miss the Golden Brown Moment

Baking perfect sourdough garlic bread is all about its last few minutes. It’s all about watching it in those crucial moments as you want when edges start to get golden brown and crispy. If you like it extra crispy, let it go a little longer, but be sure to keep an eye on it! You don’t want to burn the edges because burnt garlic has a bitter taste—and we’re here for delicious garlic bread, not charred leftovers.

Tip 6: Add Parmesan for Extra Crunch and Flavor

And here’s the fun little twist: for a cheesy, crispy topping, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan on top of your sourdough slices during the last 2 minutes of baking. The Parmesan will melt beautifully into the butter, creating this gorgeous, golden, cheesy crust that people will be fighting for. It adds extra flavor and that irresistible crunch we all love!

Tip 7: Cool It for a Minute, If You Can Wait

Once your sourdough garlic bread is out of the oven, let it cool just a minute before serving. I know, I know—hard to do, it smells so good, but this one little step will get the bread so much better into holding its own and that buttery goodness in every crook and cranny. You wouldn’t want to burn your mouth, would you? But yes, I admit to nibbling on a piece, straight from the oven, when nobody is looking!

Final Tip: Serve Immediately for Maximum Enjoyment

Alright, the final tip is one of those so-simple-but-so-vital: Serve your sourdough garlic bread immediately! One of those recipes where the quicker it gets to the table, the better. The garlic butter is still all warm and gooey, the edges crispy and calling to be torn apart, while the inside of the bread is soft to create this contrast in texture that is simply supreme.

There you go—my best advice on how to make the most crispy, airy, tender, and divine sourdough garlic bread. I promise you that if you do it right, the results are going to be so amazing it could very well steal the limelight at your dinner parties. Whether as a side or even a snack, this sourdough garlic bread will definitely take the cake. Happy baking!

Ultimate Sourdough Garlic Bread – Just Heaven

Ta-da—to the recipe, tips, and magic of putting together the most magically appealing sourdough garlic bread to make everyone go, wow. Crispy, airy, and garlicky—the thing that lifts up every meal. Honestly, if I bake, I wonder, how can I live without making this bread? Whether it’s the star of your dinner table or the perfect sidekick to your favorite dishes, this bread is sure to steal the show.

It’s all about balance: the crispy edges, the soft and fluffy inside, and that irresistible garlic butter goodness. Go ahead and play with these tips until you get your bread just the way you love it. And if you’re already thinking of the perfect meal to go with it, well, you’re on the right track.

Take out that sourdough, bake, and enjoy the delicious magic that is sourdough garlic bread. Happy baking, my friend!

FAQs Section: Sourdough Garlic Bread

1. How would you get sourdough garlic bread crispy?
Get crispy sourdough garlic bread by preheating your oven, using a baking sheet or cast iron, and not overcrowding the slices. Flipping the bread halfway through adds to the crunch. Extra crispy!

2. Can you use regular bread to make garlic bread instead of sourdough?
Yes, you can use regular bread, but sourdough gives that special tangy flavor that makes the bread extra special.

3. How long should I bake sourdough garlic bread?
Bake sourdough garlic bread for 12-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C), keeping an eye on the golden brown edges. You can bake a little longer for extra crispiness.

4. How do I store leftover sourdough garlic bread?
Store leftover sourdough garlic bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Freeze for longer storage and reheat in the oven.

5. Is it possible to add cheese on my sourdough garlic bread?
Of course! Adding Parmesan or mozzarella during the last 2 minutes of baking gives your bread that cheesy, crispy topping that’s so irresistible.

6. Can I make sourdough garlic bread ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the garlic butter and assemble slices in advance. Just store them in the fridge until you are ready to bake them off for freshness.

7. How do I make sourdough garlic bread vegan?
For vegan, use dairy-free butter and go with a bread that’s vegan-friendly. You can sprinkle nutritional yeast on top to give it a cheesy flavor.

Check out my other sourdough recipes to continue your baking journey:

• How to Make Sourdough Sandwich Bread: Easy Recipe for Beginners
• Sourdough Bread Recipe for Beginners: How to Make the Best Loaf
• Sourdough Bagel Recipe: How to Make Perfect Bagels at Home

Happy baking!