Cheesy Garlic Bread with Hot Honey

Name: Cheesy Garlic Bread with Hot Honey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 heads garlic, cloves peeled; 1 cup olive oil, divided; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup fresh parsley or cilantro; 1/2 tsp red chili flakes; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 loaf French bread; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tbsp cayenne pepper; 12 oz honey; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

This cheesy garlic bread combines roasted garlic butter, melted mozzarella and Parmesan on crispy French bread, topped with an optional spicy hot honey drizzle for a sweet-heat finish.

🌍American 🏷️Cheesy garlic bread 🏷️Garlic bread 🏷️Hot honey 🏷️Appetizer Side dish

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Total

45 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by thegoldenbalance

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Ingredients

2 heads garlic, cloves peeled
1 cup olive oil, divided
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup fresh parsley or cilantro
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 loaf French bread
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp cayenne pepperoptional
12 oz honeyoptional
1 tsp lemon juiceoptional
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnishoptional

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place garlic cloves in a small, oven-safe pan and submerge them in olive oil.
2
Roast the garlic in the oven until soft and fragrant. Let it cool down slightly.
3
In a food processor, combine the softened butter and fresh parsley (or cilantro).
4
Add the cooled roasted garlic and some of the infused oil to the food processor. Blend until smooth.
5
Stir in red chili flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
6
Slice the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet.
7
Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over both halves of the bread.
8
Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
9
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Bake the garlic bread until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
10
While the bread bakes, make the optional hot honey. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan, add cayenne pepper, and toast until fragrant.
11
Turn off the heat and stir in the honey and a touch of lemon juice. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
12
Once the garlic bread is out of the oven, drizzle with the hot honey.
13
Garnish with more Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Slice and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Simmer garlic cloves in olive oil on low heat until completely soft and golden to develop deep, mellow garlic flavor without bitterness.
Spread the garlic butter generously to the edges of the bread so every bite has butter coverage and won't dry out during baking.
Layer mozzarella first, then Parmesan on top; this prevents the softer mozzarella from sliding off and ensures the Parmesan gets crispy edges.
Broil for the final 1–2 minutes if the cheese isn't browning enough, but watch closely to avoid charring the edges.

Substitutions

Olive oil → clarified butter or ghee (slightly nuttier flavor, same cooking method)
Fresh parsley or cilantro → fresh basil or chives (adjust to taste preference)
French bread → ciabatta, sourdough, or thick-cut baguette (adjust baking time by 1–2 minutes based on thickness)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled bread in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness.

Common Questions

How do I roast the garlic for this recipe?

Peel 2 heads of garlic cloves and simmer them in 1 cup olive oil over low heat for 15-20 minutes until soft and golden, then mash into the softened butter.

Can I make the garlic butter spread ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the roasted garlic butter mixture up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before spreading on bread.

What temperature should I bake the bread at?

The recipe uses a standard oven; bake at 375–400°F until the cheese is melted and edges are golden (typically 8–12 minutes).

Is the hot honey drizzle optional?

Yes, the hot honey is optional; the bread is delicious on its own, but the drizzle adds a spicy-sweet element if desired.

Can I use a different cheese?

Mozzarella and Parmesan work best for melting and flavor, but you can substitute with cheddar or provolone; avoid hard cheeses that don't melt smoothly.