Think going gluten-free means giving up garlic toast? Not a chance. This easy, cheesy gluten-free garlic toast is here to prove otherwise—with golden, crunchy edges, a melty, savory parmesan top, and all the garlicky goodness you’ve been craving. I’ve been making this for years, and it’s still one of those recipes that vanishes the second it hits the table. It’s simple, satisfying, and honestly irresistible. Use your broiler or air-fryer!
I’ve been making this simple homemade garlic bread forever, and it recently occurred to me that you might love it too! It’s a simple formula that works every time: a quick mix of butter and olive oil, a sprinkle of garlic powder, and a generous dusting of Parmesan. Broil it until crisp and golden, and you’ve got the kind of garlic toast that goes with everything—soups, salads, grilled meats, or just as a snack straight off the tray.
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Why You'll Love Gluten-Free Garlic Toast
- Simple Recipe – Just 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep.
- Crispy, Cheesy, Garlicky – Everything you want in garlic toast.
- Year-Round Favorite – Perfect savory side dish with soups, salads, grilled mains, or even as a base for appetizers.
- Adaptable – Works with dairy-free butter and vegan cheese too.
This buttery gluten-free garlic bread is great paired with gluten-free meatballs for a fantastic dinner.
What You Need
- Bread – Gluten-free bread—sourdough, artisan bakery loaf or baguette, French bread, or your favorite sandwich bread. This works with wheat bread too if you’re not GF.
- Oil – Extra virgin olive oil for flavor and richness.
- Butter – I use unsalted butter and add salt myself for better control.
- Garlic – Granulated garlic and garlic powder both work. The powder is finer and more concentrated, so use a little less.
- Parmesan – Finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano adds that irresistible salty, savory finish.
- Fresh herbs - A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley is nice at the end for color, but optional.
Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, and black pepper.
Chef’s Tips on salt and butter
Don’t use garlic salt—it’s easy to overdo it. Granulated garlic powder gives you more control, and you can season with salt separately to taste—which brings me to butter. I use unsalted butter so I control the saltiness—especially since Parmesan already adds plenty of salt. If you use regular butter (salted butter), don't add more salt.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dairy-Free Option– Use vegan butter, adding 1-2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, and use a dairy-free Parmesan-style topping if desired.
- Fresh Garlic – If you prefer, rub a fresh garlic cloves on the toasted bread instead of using garlic powder in the mix.
- Cheese Swap – Try Pecorino Romano, aged Asiago, or Grana Padano.
- Use gluten-free hot dog buns for a softer, pull-apart garlic toast.
- Melty cheese variation: For cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over the top before broiling until bubbly and golden.
Try this garlic toast with fast and crispy chicken parmesan, a reader favorite recipe.
Chef's tip: Why mix butter and olive oil?
Mixing butter with olive oil gives you the best of both worlds: flavor and function. The olive oil helps keep the butter from burning under the broiler, while the butter adds rich flavor and browning. It’s a trick I’ve used for years.
How to Make Gluten-Free Garlic Toast (oven broiler)
Pre-heat the broiler and position the oven rack to the second level from the top.
- Sliced bread into 1" thick slices.
- In a small bowl, melt butter, olive oil, and garlic together and stir.
- Arrange bread on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Brush garlic butter mix onto slices with pastry brush.
- Sprinkle the bread with parmesan cheese.
5. Broil garlic toast until golden brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.
Gluten-Free Garlic Toast (air fryer option)
To use your air fryer for gluten-free garlic toast, follow all of the steps above until you're ready to bake then:
- Air fry bake first at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to warm and start crisping the bread.
- Air fry broil for 1–2 minutes to brown the top.
This gives you the perfect combination: crispy edges, melty top, and no soggy bottoms. Check and adjust. If you prefer extra crispiness, air fry an additional 1–2 minutes, but watch closely.
Chef’s Tip: Skip the frozen Texas toast.
Unlike store-bought Texas toast, which is often thick, overly processed, and loaded with palm oil and additives, this garlic toast is made from real gluten-free bread and just a few fresh ingredients—no mystery fats or preservatives. It’s crisp, crunchy, and tastes like real food—because it is.
Serving Suggestions
This gluten-free garlic toast goes with just about anything where you want a little crunch and flavor. It’s the perfect side dish to serve:
- Alongside grilled fish, seafood, grilled lemon chicken, or steak.
- With soups and stews, especially in cooler months.
- Paired with a big salad for a light, satisfying meal.
- Cut into strips (like breadsticks) and serve as dippers for tomato soup, marinara or tomato sauce.
- Classic with pasta dishes.
- Use as a tasty base for bruschetta-style toppings—think tomatoes, goat cheese, or tapenade (maybe without the parmesan).
Leftovers and Storage
If you happen to have any leftover garlic toast (a rare event!), let it cool completely before storing. Layer the slices between parchment or wax paper in an airtight container and refrigerate. To reheat, place on a sheet pan and broil for 1–2 minutes, or warm in a hot oven until crisp and heated through.
Any leftover garlic butter keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days. Use it to brush on veggies, melt over grilled shrimp, or spread on fresh bread for quick garlic toast.
Freezer Friendly
Gluten-free garlic toast freezes well. Once cooled, layer slices between parchment or wax paper and store in a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen under the broiler or in a hot oven until warmed through and crispy.
Recipe FAQs
You can mix the butter-oil-garlic topping ahead and store it in the fridge for a few days. Melt before using and aplly with a pastry brush. For best texture, assemble and broil just before serving.
Choose a gluten-free bread that toasts well—either artisan-style loaves, GF sourdough, or baguette-style bread. Avoid overly soft sandwich breads unless you toast them longer for structure.
Yes, both work great. Toast or broil the bread until golden and melty—just keep a close eye on it, as timing may vary.
More Easy Gluten-Free Basics
Never made your own croutons? They take salads to a new level. And if you enjoy gluten-free baking, try these versatile basics. And that soda bread is not just for St. Patrick's, it's good year round.
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📖 Recipe
Gluten-free Garlic Toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces slices artisan style gluten-free bread bread notes below
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1-2 pinches sea salt if using unsalted butter
- 1-2 pinches ground black pepper optional
- 4-5 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
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Instructions
- Pre-heat the broiler with the rack positioned at the second level from the top.
- Melt the butter, then add the olive oil, garlic, and pinch salt. Brush the mixture over the bread slices, and sprinkle evenly with cheese.
- Broil the toast until golden and bubbly. Timing depends on your broiler.
Notes
Nutrition
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Porsche guy says
So easy, and addictive!