Crispy, golden brown toasts loaded with buttery garlic flavor and gooey melted cheese. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or snack!
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette or a loaf of Italian bread, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (such as mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions:
- Prepare the Garlic Butter:
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley (if using), oregano (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Spread the Garlic Butter:
- Lay the bread slices on a baking sheet.
- Spread a generous amount of the garlic butter mixture evenly onto each slice of bread.
- Add the Cheese:
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the garlic butter on each slice.
- If desired, lightly sprinkle parmesan cheese over the shredded cheese.
- Bake the Toasts:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the toasts for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is golden brown and crispy around the edges.
- Keep a close eye on the toasts to prevent burning.
- Serve Immediately:
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the toasts cool slightly for a minute or two.
- Serve the cheesy garlic bread toasts warm.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra crispy toasts: Broil the toasts for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Add some spice: sprinkle red pepper flakes over the cheese before baking.
- Use different cheeses: Experiment with different cheese combinations to find your favorite.
- Fresh herbs: Fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary can be used in place of or in addition to parsley and oregano.
- Make it ahead: Spread the garlic butter and add the cheese to the bread slices ahead of time, then bake when ready to serve.
- Air Fryer: These can also be made in an air fryer. 350F for 5-8 minutes, or until desired crispness is reached.