Invented by Italian American emigrants and an off-shoot of bruschetta, garlic bread is a dish born from necessity.
Olive oil wasn’t as widely available as it is today in the early 20th century when masses moved to the New World and French baguettes stood in when Italian bread couldn’t be found. Let us give a moment of thanks for such culinary improvisation; garlic bread has taken myriad meals to new heights.
From lasagna and pasta dishes to pizza, warming soups, stews and charcuterie boards, the humble combination of bread, butter and garlic adds major plus points.
Making garlic bread at home is easy; it’s just a case of roasting some garlic gloves, mashing them into butter with a few herbs and smothering it over any naked slice of toasted bread in the vicinity, as liberally as you dare. Naan, ciabatta, a sourdough loaf and more can all be transformed by a kiss of this rich and fragrant souped-up butter.
If you want to go the extra mile, as many surely will, sprinkling cheddar or mozzarella over the top and allowing it to bubble up into a crispy top in a hot oven is the final flourish. Just wait for it to cool slightly before diving in.
But if you don’t have time to faff about with roasting, plenty of readymade garlic breads are out there making a play for your dinner table. From Pizza Express’ famous doughballs to light and fluffy ciabatta laden with garlic notes, we’ve rounded up our favourites.
Go forth, be happy, and shop the best garlic bread below.
COOK Garlic Ciabatta
For an elevated spin on a dinner table favourite, your garlic bread search is over thanks to Cook. The brand offers this rustic ciabatta loaf teeming with garlic notes that can be topped with shredded cheese and grilled, should you wish. It’s perfect for mopping up the last of the bechamel sauce from hearty plates of lasagne or dipping into a steaming bowl of tomato soup.
Buy now £3.25, COOK
Waitrose Parmesan & Garlic Rustic Wheel
Garlic bread presented pizza-style has an undeniable elegance to it (and offers more surface area for garlicky goodness). Waitrose has gone one further, referring to its disc as a wheel, upping the rustic feel. It's finished with lashings of rich garlic butter and salty Parmesan for balance. It's a dangerous thing to have on the table if you're eating alone - it won't take long to inhale the entire thing, especially warm out of the oven. Be demure and save it for a party.
Buy now £3.00, Waitrose
Pizza Express Original Dough Balls with Garlic Butter Dip
One of Pizza Express' most popular starters can be made in your kitchen. These dough balls come ready to bake, complete with a pot of garlic butter for dipping or drizzling over the warm rounds. If you're having a party, opt for the 200g bag instead of this 95g one.
Buy now £2.88, Amazon
White Rabbit Sourdough Mozzarella & Garlic Flatbread 210g
A flatbread designed for sharing, this version of garlic bread deserves to be the main event, not just a side piece. Indeed, you could serve it with a selection of cold cuts and nibbles to take a #girldinner up a few notches. The gluten-free base is topped with creamy mozzarella, sharp cheddar and mild bocconcini with a garlic and parsley spread sandwiched between the two.
Buy now £3.50, Sainsbury’s
Morrisons Stonebaked Flatbread Garlic, Mushroom & Pecorino
This frozen flatbread from Morrisons steps it up a gear: garlic is joined by chopped mushrooms and a hearty sprinkling of Pecorino cheese. Why not add more toppings if you want to make this the main meal rather than just another side? It's ready in less than 20 minutes in a hot oven or pizza oven and comes in a rectangular shape, making it easy to serve on a long board.
Buy now £2.90, Amazon
Hearty Food Co. 2 Garlic Baguettes
Sometimes all you need is something quick, easy and satisfying. Sling these garlicky baguettes into your freezer to use for a fast meal when time and hunger levels are rapidly dwindling. You'll get two batons, sliced and stuffed with garlic butter that smothers each side after a spell in the oven. We like adding grated cheese to the top to crisp up in the final five minutes - do it right and the cheese pull is immense.
Buy now £0.85, Tesco
Dell'Ugo Italian Pinsa with Truffle Butter
If you’re willing to try something new, allow us to call attention to Dell’Ugo’s pinsa bread. Once eaten in ancient Rome, pinsa is a light and fluffy hand-stretched flatbread that’s perfect as a side dish or tapas-style dinner. There’s no cheese here; instead, you’ll get a pot of an earthy truffle butter to spread over the top, offering a nice alternative to garlic.
Buy now £3.95, Amazon
Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Bread Spread
From toast to a French baguette, upgrade any bread to garlic bread status with this readymade spread from the award-winning Stonewall Kitchen. It’s expensive thanks to trans-Atlantic shipping but if you could live on garlic alone, then this is worth the cost. Expect deep, punchy flavours that you’ll have to stop yourself eating straight from the jar.
Buy now £20.90, Amazon
Chicago Town Tiger Crust Garlic Bread Cheesy
The frozen pizza brand has expanded beyond pies and now serves up cheesy garlic bread, finished with a tiger crust to ensure you eat every last scrap. You'll find this in the frozen aisle, and while it can feel sinful, adding fresh veggies either as a salad or topping will make it more balanced.
Buy now £2.50, Amazon
