This oven baked Garlic Cheese Bread is an easy to prepare, quick and supremely scrumptious snack. A recipe which only includes bread, butter, garlic, herbs, lots of cheese, and can be customized in so many ways. A sure shot winner recipe!
Preheat oven for 10 minutes at 200 degrees C/392 degrees F before baking.
Slice the loaf of bread in slices having 0.75 inches width. Now halve each slice.
Take the softened butter (butter at room temperature) in a bowl. I used salted butter. If using unsalted butter, then add a bit of salt.
Grate or mince 3 to 4 medium peeled garlic cloves directly into the softened butter. Instead of garlic, you can also add garlic chives.
Mix the grated garlic very well with the butter.
Grate cheddar or mozzarella cheese. You will need about ½ cup of grated cheese.
Making Garlic Cheese Bread
Now spread the garlic butter evenly on all the slices.
Top with the cheese generously.
Sprinkle with your favorite herb or spice. You can add oregano, basil, red chili flakes, black pepper, Italian seasoning etc.
Place the bread slices in a baking tray.
Baking Garlic Cheese Toast
Now keep the baking tray on the top most rack of your oven. If using a microwave oven in the convection mode, then keep the baking tray on the glass turn table.
Bake at 200 degrees C/392 degrees F for 5 to 6 minutes or till the edges become a light golden and a bit crisp.
The cheese will also melt. You don't need to toast these slices.
Serve these Garlic Cheese Bread hot with tomato ketchup as a starter or as as a snack.
Notes
How to make Garlic Cheese Toast on a stove top in a frying pan or skillet
Heat a thick bottomed skillet or frying pan or griddle on a medium heat.
Reduce the heat to the lowest and then place the prepared bread slices on the frying pan or skillet.
Cover with a lid in such a way that the lid does not touch the grated cheese.
Toast for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Recipe Notes
Make the recipe your own by adding the herbs, spices or seasonings that you like. You can use both fresh herbs or dried herbs. If using fresh herbs, sprinkle them on the Garlic Cheese Bread after they are baked. Dried herbs can be added before baking.
Omit black pepper and red chilli flakes if making for small kids.
Optional toppings are to add some olives, grated carrots, jalapeño, sautéed mushrooms or sautéed spinach, steamed corn and sun-dried tomatoes.
Feel free to add one type of cheese or a combination of two to three cheese kinds. Instead of shredded or grated cheese, you could also use cheese slices.
Mozzarella, Cheddar, Processed Cheese, Monterey Jack, Colby cheese and vegetarian Parmesan cheese are some options to choose from.