Vegan Garlic Bread

Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Annie

This crispy oven-baked vegan garlic bread recipe turns a store-bought loaf of bread into a buttery and flavorful side that compliments any pasta dish. Perfect for an appetizer, snack, or side, this easy dairy-free garlic bread with nutritional yeast comes together in just 12 minutes.

A wooden cutting board topped with slices of oven-baked vegan garlic bread.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret, bread is my biggest weakness. I can pass by a plate of cookies or cupcakes no problem but you sit me next to a basket of bread and I will devour the whole thing in the blink of an eye.

There is just something so comforting about a warm slice of bread slathered in a salty garlic butter and dipped in a fresh pasta. While most garlic bread is loaded with butter and often parmesan cheese, this crispy vegan garlic bread is made with plant-based butter and nutritional yeast.

Why We Love This Vegan Garlic Bread Recipe

As if I need a reason to whip up a delicious side of bread. Here are just a few reasons why this simple garlic bread recipe is on a weekly repeat at our home.

  • Easy to make. With pre-made French bread, you are just a few minutes away from warm, oven-baked garlic bread.
  • No questionable ingredients. Unlike the loaves you might pick up at the store with pre-made garlic butter slathered on, you know what you are putting into your crispy, salty garlic bread.
  • Pairs well with all the creamy pasta! From creamy garlic orzo to Mom’s Hamburger Helper, this vegan bread adds the perfect side.
A hand holding a slice of vegan garlic bread.

Vegan Changes to Garlic Bread

Two major swaps help keep this recipe dairy-free and vegan.

  • Dairy-Free Butter. In place of a traditional butter, I used plant-based butter to get the creamy buttery taste.
  • Nutritional yeast. For a little cheesy/ nutty flavor, nutritional yeast takes the place of a Parmesan cheese you might typically find in a loaf of garlic bread.

It’s also important to note that when you are picking out your bread you will want to consider a loaf that is dairy-free or vegan depending on your dietary restrictions.

How to Make Vegan Garlic Bread

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • French Bread– A loaf of store-bought or homemade French bread makes the base of this tasty side dish.
  • Plant-based butter- Used in place of traditional butter.
  • Garlic– Fresh pods of garlic, either diced or microplaned.
  • Seasoning- Salt and dried parsley season the garlic butter.
  • Olive oil– To thin out the garlic butter spread.
  • Nutritional yeast- For a slightly nutty, cheesy flavor to the garlic bread.
Ingredients for vegan garlic bread on a wooden counter.

Step-by-Step Directions for Crispy Vegan Garlic Bread

  • Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Make garlic butter: In a medium sized mixing bowl stir together plant-based butter, microplaned garlic, salt, parsley, olive oil, and nutritional yeast. Set aside.
  • Cut loaf: Using a serrated knife, slice a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise.
  • Set up the bread: Place the two halves of French bread on the baking sheet with the white interior facing up.
  • Butter the loaves: Spread half of the garlic butter mixture over each half of the baguette.
  • Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven.
  • Broil for 1 minute (watching the whole time) to finish and crisp up the bread.
  • Remove from oven, slice and enjoy this vegan garlic bread.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Making this ridiculously addictive garlic bread is simple with a few helpful kitchen tools such as:

  • Bread Knife– For slicing the French bread in half length-wise and then cutting pieces of garlic bread after it bakes.
  • Rimmed Baking Sheet– This helps keep all of the garlic butter from spilling out into the oven if your loaves tip to the side (as mine did from time to time).
  • Microplane– Used to grate the garlic into a paste that smoothly distributes the garlic over the bread.

What to serve with this Vegan Garlic Bread

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

  • Storing- I keep the left-over garlic bread in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about 2 days.
  • Freezing– To make this in advance slice and slather the bread with the garlic butter then wrap in plastic wrap followed by a coating of foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking at 350°F for 10 minutes.
  • Reheating– Pop the garlic bread back in the oven at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes to reheat or in the air fryer for about 2 minutes on the reheat setting.

Simple Bread Recipes to Make Next

If you tried this easy vegan garlic bread recipe feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!

You can also get delicious dairy-free recipes and tips by signing up for my newsletter!

A top down picture of a small white plate covered in slices of vegan garlic bread.

Vegan Garlic Bread

Crispy oven-baked french bread slathered in vegan garlic butter adds the perfect addition to a fresh bowl of pasta or hearty soup.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Bread
Keyword Bread, Garlic Bread, Vegan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 24 slices

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Plant-based Butter room temperature
  • 4 cloves Garlic microplaned or minced
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Parsley dried
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
  • 1 loaf French Bread

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

  2. In a medium sized mixing bowl stir together ½ cup plant-based butter, 4 cloves microplaned garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, and 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast. Set aside.

  3. Using a serrated knife, slice a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise.

  4. Place the two halves of French bread on the baking sheet with the white interior facing up.

  5. Spread half of the garlic butter mixture over each half of the baguette. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven.

  6. Broil for 1 minute (watching the whole time) to finish and crisp up the bread.

  7. Remove from oven, slice and enjoy this vegan garlic bread.

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