Garlic Bread Dippers Recipe

Soften and combine

Leave the butter at room temperature until soft (about 20–30 minutes) or microwave in 5–7 second bursts until just soft but not melted. Place softened butter in a medium bowl.

Mix garlic and seasonings

Add the minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, lemon zest (if using), salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes to the butter. Stir thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until smooth and homogenous.

Taste and adjust

Taste a small amount and adjust seasoning — add more salt, parsley or garlic to your preference. Set the garlic butter aside at room temperature if using immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days (bring back to room temp before using).

Preheat oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven.

Prepare the loaf

Trim the ends of the baguette if desired. Slice the loaf on the bias into 1-inch thick slices to create sturdy dippers. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, cut side up, leaving a bit of space between slices.

Brush with oil

Lightly brush the cut side of each slice with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to promote even browning.

Apply garlic butter

Using a butter knife or small spatula, spread about 1 heaping teaspoon of the garlic butter onto the cut side of each slice, covering from edge to edge. If you prefer extra cheesy dippers, sprinkle a little additional grated Parmesan on top of each slice now.

Bake until golden

Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, until the butter has melted and the edges of the bread begin to turn golden. For crisper tops, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes while watching carefully to avoid burning.

Finish and serve

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of coarse sea salt if desired and a little extra chopped parsley for color. Transfer to a serving platter so the slices are easy to pick up and dip.

Warm the marinara in a small saucepan over low heat until gently simmering, or microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for 60–90 seconds. Pour into a shallow dipping bowl and top with extra grated Parmesan. Serve alongside the garlic bread dippers.

To serve: Arrange bread dippers around the bowl of sauce. Use the slices to scoop or dunk into the warm marinara.