If you’ve ever grabbed a box of frozen garlic bread from the grocery store, this recipe is about to change everything. Homemade freezer garlic toast is just as convenient but tastes so much better, and it comes together in minutes before it goes into the freezer. Andrea Buckett shared this recipe on The Good Stuff with Mary Berg as part of her TV Dinners segment, and it’s the kind of practical kitchen hack that earns a permanent spot in your routine.
The idea is simple. You make a batch of seasoned garlic butter, spread it on thick slices of Italian bread, flash freeze them on a baking sheet, and then stack and store them in freezer bags in whatever portions make sense for your household. Two slices for a quick solo dinner, four for a weeknight pasta night, or the whole loaf when company’s coming. They go straight from the freezer to the oven with no thawing needed.
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Why Make Your Own Freezer Garlic Toast?
Store-bought frozen garlic bread gets the job done, but it often comes with a long ingredient list full of preservatives, artificial flavours, and oils you wouldn’t choose yourself. This homemade version uses real butter and simple seasonings you probably already have in your kitchen. It also lets you control the thickness of the slices, how much butter goes on each one, and exactly how many you want in each freezer portion.
What Makes This Garlic Butter So Good
The garlic butter in this recipe goes beyond plain butter and garlic. The Worcestershire sauce adds a savoury, slightly tangy depth that you can’t quite put your finger on but makes the whole thing taste more complex. Onion powder rounds things out, and a touch of dried oregano gives it that familiar garlic bread flavour without any fresh herbs that might brown or burn in the oven.
Using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic is a deliberate choice here. It distributes evenly through the butter, freezes perfectly, and won’t turn bitter under the broiler the way fresh garlic can.
Tips for the Best Freezer Garlic Toast
Freezing the slices individually on a baking sheet before stacking them is the key step. It prevents the butter from smearing and the slices from sticking together, so you can pull out exactly the number you need without wrestling apart a frozen block of bread.
When you’re ready to cook, there’s no need to thaw. Just place the slices butter side up on a sheet pan and bake at 400°F for six to eight minutes. If you want a crispier, more golden result, use the broiler on low and keep a close eye on it since it can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
Freezer Garlic Toast Recipe
Makes 14-16 slices
Ingredients
For the garlic butter 1/2 cup soft butter 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 loaf of italian bread, unsliced
Instructions
- Add the butter, garlic powder, worcestershire sauce, onion powder and oregano to a bowl. Stir to combine until all the seasonings are well combined.
- Slice the bread into 1-inch thick pieces.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of garlic butter on one side of each slice of bread. Lay each piece, butter side up on a baking sheet. Place the bread in the freezer for about 1 hour.
- Stack the pieces of bread together in the portions you prefer. Two slices, 4 slices, the whole loaf etc… Place each portion or the entire loaf in a freezer bag and freeze.
- To cook, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the bread, butter side up on a sheet pan and warm through for 6-8 minutes. Alternatively broil on low for a crispy, browner piece of garlic toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does freezer garlic toast last in the freezer?
Properly wrapped in freezer bags with as much air removed as possible, homemade freezer garlic toast will keep well for up to three months. It’s still safe to eat beyond that, but the quality and flavour start to decline over time.
Do I need to thaw the garlic toast before cooking?
No, and you shouldn’t. Cook it straight from frozen. Place the slices butter side up on a sheet pan and bake at 400°F for six to eight minutes. Thawing first can make the bread soggy.
Can I use a baguette instead of Italian bread?
You can, but the slices will be smaller and thinner, so they’ll cook faster. Keep an eye on them and reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes. Italian bread gives you those big, thick slices that hold up well to a generous spread of garlic butter.
Can I butter both sides of the bread?
You can if you prefer a richer garlic toast. Just keep in mind that you’ll go through the garlic butter faster and you’ll need to flip the slices partway through baking so both sides get golden.
Can I add cheese to the garlic toast?
Definitely. If you want cheesy garlic bread, add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan on top during the last two to three minutes of baking. If you’re freezing them with cheese, add the cheese before the initial flash freeze so it’s ready to go straight into the oven.
What if my butter is too cold to mix?
The butter needs to be soft enough to stir easily with the seasonings. If it’s too firm, let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before mixing, or microwave it in short five-second bursts until it’s pliable but not melted. Melted butter will soak into the bread instead of sitting on top where it can crisp up.
Recipe for Freezer Garlic Toast
PrintFreezer Garlic Toast: Homemade Garlic Bread Ready Whenever You Are
- Yield: Makes 14-16 slices
Ingredients
- For the garlic butter
- 1/2 cup soft butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
1 loaf of italian bread, unsliced
1. Add the butter, garlic powder, worcestershire sauce, onion powder and oregano to a bowl. Stir to combine until all the seasonings are well combined.
2. Slice the bread into 1-inch thick pieces.
3. Spread about 1 tablespoon of garlic butter on one side of each slice of bread. Lay each piece, butter side up on a baking sheet. Place the bread in the freezer for about 1 hour.
4. Stack the pieces of bread together in the portions you prefer. Two slices, 4 slices, the whole loaf etc… Place each portion or the entire loaf in a freezer bag and freeze.
5. To cook, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the bread, butter side up on a sheet pan and warm through for 6-8 minutes. Alternatively broil on low for a crispy, browner piece of garlic toast.
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