Garlic Bread (Vegan)

Buttery vegan garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to any glorious Italian-inspired feast. Crisp and soft plant based garlic bread is an easy recipe that’s going to be a hit every time you make it! (Also, the dairy-free garlic butter by itself is GREAT on pasta too!)

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There is nothing better with a big bowl of vegan meatballs and spaghetti than a nice hefty piece or two of plant based garlic bread. 

Or garlic bread and soup. Or garlic bread and salad. You get the idea.

And you would not believe how easy it is to make your own vegan version of restaurant-quality garlic bread from scratch right in your own kitchen.

All you need is some vegan butter, a few spices, and a nice long loaf of rustic style bread. And just like that – crisp garlicky goodness at your fingertips!

Prepare to indulge yourself and impress your friends with this crispy vegan garlic bread!

Why is this the best vegan garlic bread?

• This vegan garlic bread recipe is easy to make with only a few simple ingredients.
• It’s a delicious and simple side dish for any pasta dinner. It goes great with soup or salad too!
• No one will know this homemade garlic bread is vegan. And it’s so good, no one will care.

Ingredients for Easy Vegan Garlic Bread

You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this homemade vegan garlic bread. 

(Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here, we’ll just give you some quick ingredient notes!)

• Italian bread – Or another rustic, crusty bread loaf. 
• Vegan butter – We like to use the Country Crock plant butter! Earth Balance is another good option.
• Fresh garlic cloves – We like to use a fresh garlic bulb, peeled and finely minced.
• Cheesy Garlic Seasoning – This is a homemade seasoning we use on all sorts of dishes from popcorn to pasta. Our seasoning is a blend of nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, and lemon pepper.
• Italian seasoning – or equal parts dried basil and oregano

Substitutions for Lactose Free Garlic Bread

For the bread: You can use any type of bread really. I’ve made this recipe using myriad types of bread from a classic French baguette to hamburger buns and even sandwich bread. Sourdough bread or a ciabatta loaf could also be nice! Cooking times for various breads will vary.

For the plant-based  butter: I like to use dairy-free butter for the way it melts into the bread, but you can totally use olive oil, avocado oil, or safflower oil if you prefer. I would however only use 1/4 – 1/3 cup of oil and generously brush the mixture on.

For the Cheese Seasoning: There are a few brands of vegan cheese seasoning on the market if you prefer to buy rather than make it. Seed Ranch and Deliciou are two great brands to try. You can also just use a blend of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon pepper (optional).

For the fresh garlic: You can swap garlic powder for the fresh garlic. Not garlic salt, garlic powder. The general rule is to use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic. So for this recipe I’d recommend 1/4 – 1/3 teaspoon of garlic powder. If you want to use jarred minced garlic, use 1/2 teaspoon for every clove.

For the dried herbs: 1 teaspoon of dried herbs is fairly equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs. So if you want to use fresh herbs, you’ll want to triple the amount. You can also switch up the herbs you use. Some fresh parsley or red pepper flakes might be nice!

How to Make Vegan Garlic Bread

This is my go-to garlic bread method. It’s the best way I’ve found to make it, and you don’t even need to use aluminum foil!

Here’s what you do:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F.
2. While the oven preheats, cut the vegan butter to 5 or 6 pieces, place in a small bowl and allow to soften a little at room temperature. The smaller pieces will help it soften faster.
3. Next, mince the fresh garlic finely and add it to the softening butter.
4. Then, add the cheesy garlic blend and herbs to the softened butter and garlic mixture. Combine well with a fork or small rubber spatula.
5. Cut your loaf in half lengthwise and place crust-side down on a foil or parchment lined large baking sheet.
6. Use a rubber spatula or frosting spatula to evenly spread the garlic butter mixture on each half.
7. Finally, bake on the baking tray (buttered side up) at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until the edges are crispy and the top is golden brown.

How to Make Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer

• First, don’t bother preheating your oven. 
• Follow all the steps up until you’re ready to put the bread in the oven. 
• Slice the bread to fit in the air fryer. (You can also slice the bread before you put the butter on.)
• Place the bread butter side up in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
• Bake at 350°F for 4-6 minutes until the top of the bread is crisp and golden brown and you see those classic crispy edges

Pro Tip & Tricks

Here are our best tips and tricks for making the best garlic bread:

• Make sure the butter is soft and spreadable before mixing it and spreading it. You don’t want to tear the bread as you’re putting it on.
• Spread the vegan garlic butter evenly across the bread so it’s perfect all the way through.
• Top the garlic bread with some shredded vegan mozzarella or grated vegan parmesan cheese before baking for a cheesy vegan garlic bread. You can also just grate some vegan parm on the finished product.
• For a cheesy vegan garlic bread without using vegan cheese, add 1 Tbsp white miso paste to the garlic butter mixture. This adds a fermented parmesan-y taste without any cheese!

Vegan Dinner Ideas with Garlic Bread

This plant based garlic bread is the perfect side dish served with any variety of plant based pastas, salads or soups. Mmmmm, garlic bread and soup. 

Here are some of our favorite recipes to serve with a big slice of garlic bread:

• Vegan Caesar Salad
• Copycat Olive Garden Salad
• Minestrone Soup
• No Tomato Vegetable Soup
• Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
• Homemade Ravioli
• Vegan Stuffed Shells
• Creamy Vegan Broccoli Pasta
• Dairy-Free Tomato Soup
• TVP Meatballs
• Vegan Chicken Parm

Also, have you ever had a vegan meatball sub served on toasted garlic bread? You’re welcome.

How to Store Leftover Garlic Bread

Store your garlic bread in an airtight container or bag. Stored properly, garlic bread will be good for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

How to Freeze Garlic Bread

To freeze leftover garlic bread, place slices of garlic bread in an airtight freezer bag. 

I like to place two slices in with the butter side facing each other and a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between them. 

Stored properly, frozen garlic bread will be good for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Garlic Bread

Reheat refrigerated garlic bread in a preheated 350° oven for 5-7 minutes.

To reheat frozen garlic bread, place the frozen bread on a baking sheet in an unheated oven. 

Turn the heat to 350° and bake the bread for 12-15 minutes or until the bread is warm all the way through.

How to Reheat Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer

To reheat refrigerated garlic bread in the air fryer, air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until the bread is warmed through.

FAQs

Can you put garlic bread in the air fryer? 

Yes, you can make garlic bread in the air fryer. I recommend 350°F for 4-6 minutes or until the top is browned and crispy.

How long does garlic bread last? 

Properly refrigerated garlic bread will last about 5 days. Frozen garlic bread will be good for up to 3 months.

Is garlic bread healthy? 

Not really. It’s all carbs and fats and absolutely delicious. Our vegan garlic bread is cholesterol-free though! 

Is Domino’s garlic bread vegan? 

No, Domino’s garlic bread is not vegan. Both the cheesy stuffed garlic bread and garlic bread twists contain milk.

Is store-bought garlic bread vegan? 

Most store-bought garlic bread contains dairy. Be sure to read label ingredients and nutritional information of any brand of which you are uncertain.

Are any frozen garlic bread vegan? 

There are some vegan garlic breads on the market. Grocery stores like Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Whole Foods are likely to carry vegan-friendly garlic breads. You can check the freezer section of your local grocery store to see if any of those are accidentally vegan.

Does garlic bread have dairy? 

Yes, most garlic breads have dairy in the ingredients, but it’s easy to make your own dairy-free garlic bread at home!

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I hope you enjoy this vegan garlic bread as much as we do! It is so handy to have this recipe in your back pocket.

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