Crispy Ciabatta Garlic Bread Slices
Loaded with a salty garlic paste, fresh herbs, and a small mountain of parmesan and mozzarella, this ultra cheesy ciabatta garlic bread is the perfect appetizer or side dish. It's great with my homemade roasted garlic olive oil ciabatta bread, though store bought ciabatta is also fine.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf roasted garlic ciabatta bread
- 8-12 cloves garlic (about 2-3 tablespoons garlic paste)
- ½ teaspoon diamond crystal kosher salt (use half as much of any other brand)
- 6 tablespoons soft, unsalted butter (about ½ tablespoon per slice)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 cup low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese (finely grated)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh herbs (oregano, basil, parsley, or a combination!)
Instructions
- Make the garlic paste. Use the flat side of of your knife under the heel of your hand to smash the garlic cloves. Tilt the blade of the knife slightly down toward the cutting board to protect your hand. Rock the knife blade back across the smashed garlic, then drag the flat of the knife (with the sharp edge tilted down toward the cutting board) across the garlic to smear it into a thin layer. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, then cut across the garlic, gather it up into a pile, smear, and repeat until you have a very fine garlic paste.
- Preheat the broiler of your oven or toaster oven. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or a silicone mat.
- Assemble ciabatta garlic bread. Slice the ciabatta about 1½" thick. Spread one side with a thin layer of softened butter and about ⅛-¼ teaspoon garlic paste. NOTE: Make sure the cheese is grated and herbs are minced and ready to go before proceeding to the next step!
- Bake. Arrange the ciabatta garlic slices on the sheet pan and broil for 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with parmesan and a small amount of mozzarella, then broil 2 more minutes, until the cheese starts to brown slightly on top (you may need an additional minute, depending on your oven). Remove from the oven, top with fresh herbs, then broil 1 minute more.
- Serve immediately.
RECIPE NOTES
- If using your home oven, arrange the oven rack so it is 5-7 inches below the broiler unit. Check on the slices after 1 minute to see how they're browning — they may be done or you may want to rotate the pan for even toasting!
- To freeze: As soon as the garlic bread cools to room temperature pop the sheet pan in the freezer. Then store the frozen slices in an airtight container with as much air pressed out as possible for up to 3 months. To reheat: 350F for 8-10 minutes or until warmed throughout and the cheese melts. This works best if you freeze before adding the herbs. Add the herbs right before serving.