Cast Iron Garlic Bread

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• Why make garlic bread?
• What type of cast iron should I use to make garlic bread?
• Recipe ingredients:
• How to make garlic bread in cast iron
• Adaptations and variations
• Recipe FAQs
• Our favorite tools to make Cast Iron Garlic Bread!
• Other Related Cast Iron Bread Recipes
• Get the Recipe

Why make garlic bread?

Pretty much the question should be, why not make garlic bread. Sure, if you're traveling in Italy you won't find it on the menu at restaurants, but in the US, it's a staple when serving up Italian food.

Bread, butter, garlic, and cheese is a delightful and heavenly combination that is the perfect vehicle for sopping up extra sauce or helping to push pasta onto your fork. We love dipping garlic bread in marinara sauce like a dip.

What type of cast iron should I use to make garlic bread?

Any with a flat surface is best. A 12-inch skillet, a baking pan (or sheet), or griddle work perfectly. Although, if you want grill marks, a cast iron grill pan is just the ticket.

Recipe ingredients:

• Bread — We used a sliced Italian loaf found in the bakery department of our local grocery store.
• Butter — We do recommend using unsalted butter if sodium content is an issue for you, but we did use salted butter because it is what we had on hand.
• Parmesan Cheese — Finely grated cheese is the best for this recipe and how we make it. Kraft brand in the green can or similar works wonderfully in this recipe.
• Garlic — What is garlic bread without garlic? Granulated garlic is the perfect for it's bold garlic flavor but ability to blend into the butter mixture seamlessly.
• Parsley — Dried parsley adds a bit of brightness and color to the bread.

How to make garlic bread in cast iron

Step 1 — If not pre-sliced, slice bread about ½" thick. Place 1 stick of the softened butter into a small mixing bowl. Use a fork to smash it and spread it out around the bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese, granulated garlic, and parsley and mix well with the fork.

Step 2 — Spread the garlic butter mixture generously to one side of each slice of bread. We found using the back of a spoon worked the best for applying and spreading the garlic butter.

Step 3 — Heat the cast iron over medium heat and add a couple of tablespoons of the remaining stick of softened butter. We know cast iron should be non-stick but we're after a delicious golden brown crunch similar to that of grilled cheese, so a lovely pool of melted butter is needed.

Step 4 — Once the pan is hot and butter has melted, place as many slices of bread, butter side up, as can comfortably fit into your cast iron. Once golden brown, about a minute or so, flip the bread to buttered side down and toast. After another minute it should be ready. Repeat this process until all the bread slices have been toasted. Add additional tablespoons of butter to the cast iron as needed, allowing it to melt before adding the next round of bread toast.

Adaptations and variations

Bread — We used Italian, but a loaf of French bread is equally delicious. But any bread you love will do from farmhouse white, whole wheat, sourdough, and in a pinch, hamburger or hot dog buns.

Cheese — Grated Parmesan cheese is classic but get creative and use Asiago, mozzarella, or an Italian blend.

Garlic — Garlic powder, freshly minced garlic, and smashed roasted garlic will all be wonderful. We do not recommend using garlic salt due to the saltiness of Parmesan cheese.

Herbs — Use your favorite: dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, and/or Italian seasoning blend. Fresh parsley is wonderful in place of dried. Black pepper and chili flakes can add a touch of heat.

Recipe FAQs

Our favorite tools to make Cast Iron Garlic Bread!

12" Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

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BuzzyWaxx Original Blend - Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning

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Get the Recipe