Oh, the humble garlic bread—it’s a classic, right? But imagine it with a twist that’s as bold as a cowboy at a rodeo! This Cowboy Butter Garlic Bread isn’t just any bread; it’s got an attitude, a swagger, and it’s ready to lasso in compliments from your guests. The moment you bite into its buttery, garlicky goodness, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain old garlic bread.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Slice an Italian loaf in half horizontally and set aside. Evenly spread softened cowboy butter over each half, using about ½ cup per side.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the buttered bread halves. Make sure the cheese covers the entire surface for an even, gooey texture.
- Place the prepared bread halves on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. The cheese should be fully melted and start to turn golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and slice it into 12 portions or your preferred serving size. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- For air fryer cooking, follow the steps up to adding the cheese. Cut the bread to fit your air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cowboy butter, softened, divided
- 1 Italian loaf, cut in half horizontally
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, shredded, divided
- Salt, to taste
- Parsley, for garnish
FAQ
- Can I prepare the Cowboy Butter ahead of time?
- Absolutely! The Cowboy Butter can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 4 months.
- What types of bread work best for this recipe?
- While an Italian loaf is recommended, other sturdy and crusty bread options like a French baguette, sourdough, or ciabatta will also work well.
- Are there alternative cheese options to use?
- Yes, while mozzarella and parmesan are suggested, you can substitute with other melting cheeses such as cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, or gouda.
- How should I store and reheat leftover Cowboy Butter Garlic Bread?
- Allow the garlic bread to cool completely, then wrap it in aluminum foil. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, use an oven or air fryer for the best results, though a microwave or toaster oven can also be used.
- What additional toppings can I add to enhance the flavor?
- You can try adding cooked and crumbled bacon, fresh or sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, olives, red pepper flakes, mushrooms, or prosciutto for extra flavor.
Tips
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Ahead of Time: Make the cowboy butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 4 months. This will save time when you’re ready to make the garlic bread.
- Choose Your Preferred Bread: While the recipe suggests using an Italian loaf, feel free to use any sturdy, crusty bread like a French baguette, sourdough, or ciabatta to suit your taste.
- Experiment with Cheese Varieties: Mozzarella is recommended for its creamy texture, but you can substitute it with other melting cheeses such as cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, or gouda for a different flavor profile.
- Enhance with Toppings: Consider adding toppings like crumbled bacon, fresh or sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, olives, or red pepper flakes for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet – A high-quality baking sheet can ensure even baking and is often available on Amazon.
- Parchment Paper – Useful for lining the baking sheet to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
- Air Fryer – If you choose to use the air fryer method, this is a piece of specialized equipment you might need.
- Cheese Grater – If you don’t have freshly shredded cheese, a cheese grater can be handy for shredding cheese at home.
