Garlic bread

Garlic bread

A common variation of garlic bread
Type	Bread
Course	Entree or side dish
Serving temperature	Cold, warm, hot or burnt
Main ingredients	Bread (typically a baguette), garlic, olive oil or butter
Variations	Garlic pizza base, bruschetta, tomato bread

Garlic bread (also garlic toast) consists of bread (usually a baguette or sour dough like a ciabatta), topped with garlic and olive oil or butter and may include additional herbs, like chives. It is then either grilled or broiled until toasted or baked in a conventional or bread oven.

It is typically made using a French baguette, or sometimes a sourdough like ciabatta which is partially sliced downwards, allowing the condiments to soak into the loaf while keeping it in one piece. The bread is then stuffed through the cuts with oil and minced garlic before baking. Alternatively, butter and garlic powder are used, or the bread is cut lengthwise into separate slices which are individually garnished.

Some variants are topped with a variety of cheeses, often mozzarella, cheddar or feta. Some restaurants use clarified butter in place of olive oil.

Commercially manufactured frozen garlic bread was developed in the 1970s by Cole's Quality Foods in Muskegon, Michigan.

In Brazil the bread is commonly served in churrascarias as an entrée.

In Australia the bread has been a staple item at weekend barbecues since the 1970s and is widely available at pizzerias and supermarkets.

British comedian Peter Kay famously mentioned the bread in his stand-up routine, quoting his father's disbelief upon hearing of it ("Garlic bread? Garlic bread?"). He subsequently referenced this in his sitcom Phoenix Nights, when nightclub owner Brian Potter (played by Kay) says, "Garlic bread – it’s the future, I’ve tasted it". In a 2004 poll by UKTV Gold to find the best British television comedy one-liner, this came top. In the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Scott mentions this as his favorite food.