Bread Machine Garlic Bread

A bread machine, and a good one at that, is a worthwhile kitchen investment for every baker. It takes the elbow grease out of making bread, dough, and jam.

Instead of kneading bread yourself, the bread machine does it for you. Instead of timing the resting stage of yeast breads, the bread machine does it for you. And instead of dirtying multiple bowls, the bread machine becomes a 1 pan mixer, riser, and cooker!

With the right recipe, bread machines bake bread perfectly and are a no-fail way to have successfully baked breads every time.

This homemade bread machine garlic bread was first created to go with Instant Pot broccoli cheddar mac and cheese on one of the first chilly nights of the season. This test run at making garlic bread in the bread machine was the only test run necessary.

It came out perfect. Fluffy and tender, not a bit dry or crumbly! It was so good that we ate almost half the loaf before dinner was even ready. It's the base recipe that I used to create this super fluffy and amazing classic white bread and 100% whole wheat bread.

Not to mention the smell of fresh garlic that made its way through the house as the bread machine worked its magic.

Bread Machine Recommendations

I own a well-loved Cuisinart Automatic Bread Maker with 3 loaf size options: 1, 1.5, and 2 pounds. It is a pricy bread machine but comes with 12 different functions and 3 crust colors as well.

I have made about half the recipes in the included recipe book, and I have virtually no complaints. The instruction manual is extensive and well-written.

So if you are in the market for a bread machine or looking for a new one to replace what you have, I highly recommend this Cuisinart machine. While it's the only bread maker I've owned, I imagine that other Cuisinart bread makers are comparable to this one.

The second best thing compared to freshly baked bread, is knowing that there are minimal ingredients in it. To make this bread machine garlic bread, you need just 5 ingredients:

• Bread flour
• Minced garlic cloves or roasted garlic: minced garlic cloves create less of a garlicky flavor than roasted garlic. For a lighter garlic flavor, use less garlic but if you really love garlic, feel free to add more than my recipe calls for. Or use my air fried roasted garlic or crockpot garlic confit.
• Yeast: you can use instant, active dry, or bread maker yeast.
• Olive oil: olive oil instead of butter cuts down on calories and creates a perfect, fluffy loaf.
• Salt: iodized table salt.

Bread machine garlic bread is a 1 step recipe. It doesn't get easier than that, and that is why I love using my bread machine!

First, put all of your ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed for Cuisinart machines. Then set the machine to the basic/white bread function, choose the 1.5 lb loaf size and preferred crust color. Select start. Now wait and let the machine do all the work!

For non-Cuisinart machines, put in the ingredients in the order suggested by your machine's instructions. Then choose the loaf size and crust color if your machine has these options.

Once the bread is finished, remove the pan from the machine using an oven mitt. Shake the bread out onto a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

In addition to eating homemade garlic bread warmed with a little butter on top or dipped into your favorite pasta sauce on pasta night, it's great with these recipes:

• Toast and top with Balsamic Bruschetta
• A side for One Pot Ricotta Lemon Pasta
• A side for Creamy One Pot Pasta
• A dipping bread for Vegetable Soup with Noodles
• A dipping bread for Spinach Tortellini Soup with Parmesan
• Easy Instant Pot Chili (The Best Chili in 45 Minutes!)
• As the bread on top of Traditional French Onion Soup

How To Store

Homemade garlic bread is freezer-friendly and can be stored for up to 6 months in an airtight plastic bag. It keeps well at room temperature for around 3 days and in the fridge for around 5.