This Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread is a fluffy and garlicky recipe, which is made with a homemade garlic butter and fresh parsley. It’s the perfect bread for sharing, an impressive pull-apart loaf that’s ideal for a party or family dinner.
Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread Ingredients
A simple list for the ultimate impressive and delicious party bread.
For the Dough:
- 800g strong bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 x 7g sachet of dried yeast
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 550ml tepid water
For the Garlic Butter & Pan:
- 1 bulb of garlic
- 500g (about 4.5 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 lemon
- 1 bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley (30g)
- 1 level teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 100g stale breadcrumbs
- A pinch of salt
How To Make Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread
A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully soft, chewy, and loaded bread.
- Make and Knead the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, and salt. Make a well in the center and gradually pour in the tepid water, mixing to form a rough dough. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and springy.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp tea towel, and leave to prove in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the Garlic Butter: While the dough rises, make the butter. Crush the garlic into the softened butter. Finely grate in the zest of ½ a lemon, finely chop and add the parsley, then add the cayenne and a pinch of salt. Mix it all together. Reserve one-quarter of this butter for the recipe, and roll the rest into a log in greaseproof paper to freeze for another day.
- Prepare the Pan: Take one-third of your reserved soft butter portion (about 40g) and spread it all over the base and sides of a large metal tray (approx. 25cm x 35cm). Scatter the breadcrumbs into the tray and shake them around to coat the butter in an even layer.
- Shape and Second Rise: Divide the risen dough into 35 equal-sized pieces. Roll each one into a ball and place them in the tray in neat rows (e.g., 5 across and 7 long). Dot another third of your soft butter in and around the balls. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for another 1 hour 30 minutes, until the balls have puffed up and joined together.
- Bake and Serve: Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5. Sprinkle the risen dough balls with a little salt, then bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for 30 minutes, or until lovely and golden. As soon as it comes out of the oven, dot the final third of your butter over the hot bread and spread it around to give it a beautiful shine. Serve warm.

Recipe Tips
For the fluffiest, most flavorful tear-and-share bread.
- How to get the fluffiest bread? The double proving (rising) time is essential. Don’t skip it! It’s what allows the yeast to work its magic and create the light, airy texture that is the hallmark of this delicious bread.
- Why line the pan with butter and breadcrumbs? This is a brilliant trick that serves two purposes. It prevents the soft dough from sticking to the pan, and it creates a wonderfully crisp, crunchy, and flavorful bottom crust.
- Can I make the garlic butter ahead? Yes, this recipe is designed for that! It makes a large batch of garlic butter, perfect for freezing. Just slice off what you need from the frozen log for future garlic breads, roasted chicken, or steaks.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely. After kneading, you can place the dough in a lightly oiled, covered bowl in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. This slow fermentation will develop a more complex and delicious flavor.
What To Serve With Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread
The perfect accompaniments for this party-perfect bread.
This impressive loaf is designed to be the centerpiece of a table, perfect for everyone to dig in. It’s fantastic for:
- Soaking up the sauce from a big bowl of pasta or a hearty lasagna
- Serving alongside a large soup or a stew
- A crowd-pleasing side dish for a barbecue or a chili
- An appetizer on its own at a party
How To Store Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread
Keeping your homemade loaf fresh.
- Room Temperature: This bread is at its absolute best on the day it is baked. To store leftovers, wrap the cooled loaf in foil or place it in a bread bin. It will keep at room temperature for 1-2 days.
- Reheat: To refresh the bread and bring back its soft texture, you can warm it in a 180°C/350°F oven for about 5-10 minutes.
Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per ball.
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 6 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
My dough didn’t rise. What went wrong?
This is usually due to one of three things: your yeast was old or expired; the u0022tepidu0022 water was too hot (which kills the yeast) or too cold (which doesn’t activate it); or the spot you left it to prove in was too cold or draughty.
Can I use a different herb?
Yes. While parsley is classic for garlic butter, a mix of parsley, chives, and a little bit of thyme or oregano would also be delicious.
Do I have to use a stand mixer?
No, this recipe is perfect for kneading by hand. It’s a great way to get a feel for the dough.
Try More Recipes:
- Easy flatbreads Recipe
- Chilli cheese cornbread Recipe
- Italian tomato and bread salad (Panzanella) Recipe
Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy35
30
minutes30
220
kcalAn easy, from-scratch recipe for a big, fluffy, pull-apart garlic bread, made with a rich homemade garlic and herb butter and a crispy breadcrumb base. The ultimate sharing bread for a party.
Ingredients
Dough: 800g strong bread flour, 1 x 7g sachet yeast, 1 tsp sea salt, 550ml tepid water.
Butter: 1 bulb garlic, 500g softened butter, zest of ½ a lemon, 1 bunch fresh parsley, 1 tsp cayenne.
Pan: 100g stale breadcrumbs.
Directions
- Dough: Mix the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the water to form a sticky dough. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth. Let it rise in a warm, covered bowl for 1 hour until doubled.
- Butter: While the dough rises, mix all the garlic butter ingredients together. Reserve about a quarter of it (125g) for this recipe and freeze the rest.
- Assemble: Grease a 25cm x 35cm tray with 1/3 of the reserved butter. Coat with the breadcrumbs.
- Divide the risen dough into 35 balls. Arrange them in rows in the tray.
- Dot with another 1/3 of the butter. Let rise for another 1.5 hours.
- Preheat oven to 190ºC/375ºF.
- Sprinkle the risen buns with salt and bake for 30 minutes until golden.
- Brush the hot bread with the final 1/3 of the butter and serve warm.
Notes
- The double-proving method is key to a light and airy texture.
- The butter and breadcrumb lining creates a fantastic, crispy, non-stick base.
- This recipe makes a large amount of garlic butter, perfect for freezing and