Homemade vegan garlic bread with soft herb swirls, garlic butter and fresh parsley. Perfect with pasta, soup or chilli.
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This homemade vegan garlic bread is soft, buttery, full of garlicky goodness and swirled with fresh herbs for a really beautiful tear-and-share loaf. Instead of using a sliced baguette or store-bought bread, this recipe makes a soft homemade loaf from simple ingredients, then fills it with vegan garlic butter before baking until golden brown.
If you love classic garlic bread but want something a little different for pasta nights, this homemade vegan garlic bread is such a great way to make dinner feel extra special. It is the perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes, vegan tomato soup, vegan minestrone soup, vegan chilli, vegan meatballs, or anything that needs a warm, buttery bread on the side.
Why you will love this vegan garlic bread
This is not just regular garlic toast. The dough is rolled out, spread with a rich garlic butter mixture, then twisted into a lovely swirl before baking. That means every slice of bread has little pockets of vegan garlic butter, fresh parsley and soft, savoury flavour running through it.
It is also a really easy recipe to make, even if it is your first time baking bread. The dough uses self-raising flour, vegan buttermilk, yeast and a little dairy-free butter, so you do not need a long list of complicated ingredients. Once it has risen, you simply roll it, fill it, twist it and bake.
The result is buttery bread with a soft middle, golden edges and plenty of garlic flavor.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this vegan garlic bread are easy to find in most grocery stores, and there are plenty of options if you want to make small changes.
Self-raising flour gives the bread structure and helps keep the dough light. Dry yeast helps the dough rise and gives it that homemade bread texture. Vegan buttermilk adds moisture and a gentle tang, while softened vegan butter creates the rich, buttery filling. Fresh garlic cloves give the best garlic flavor, especially when finely minced or crushed, and fresh parsley adds colour and freshness. You can also use dry parsley if that is what you have.
For the vegan butter, use your favourite dairy-free butter or vegan stick butter. Earth Balance, Flora Plant, Naturli, Vitalite or supermarket own-brand vegan butter substitutes should all work well. Try to avoid very watery spreads if you can, as the filling works best with softened vegan butter at room temperature.
You can also add nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, vegan mozzarella, onion powder, Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes if you want to give the bread cheesy flavors or a little heat.
For this recipe you will need...
- self raising flour
- vegan buttermilk
- instant yeast
- garlic
- vegan butter
- salt
- fresh or dry parsley
For exact quantities see the recipe card below.
How to make vegan buttermilk
Vegan buttermilk is really easy to make at home. You only need plant milk and something acidic, such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
To make 1 cup of vegan buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of oat milk or soya milk. Stir it together and leave it to sit for 5-10 minutes. The milk will thicken slightly and may look a little curdled, which is exactly what you want.
Soya milk usually gives the thickest result, but oat milk also works well and has a lovely mild flavour. This is the best way to replace traditional buttermilk in this homemade vegan garlic bread.
How To Make Vegan Garlic Bread
In a large bowl or medium sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients together: self-raising flour, yeast and salt.
Add the vegan buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of softened vegan butter. Mix everything together with a spatula until a small ball of dough forms.
Cover the bowl and put it somewhere warm for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
When the dough has doubled, transfer it to a lightly floured flat surface. Sprinkle the top with a little flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a rectangle, roughly 16 x 10 inches.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 7 tablespoons of softened vegan butter, fresh minced garlic and fresh parsley. Add any optional extras such as nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, onion powder or red pepper flakes if using.
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the dough using a fork, spoon or knife.
Roll the dough into a log.
Cut the log in half lengthways, then braid the two pieces together so the herb swirls are visible.
Coil the rope like a snake, then coil the other side of the rope in the opposite direction. Transfer it into a medium sized loaf pan.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F / 180°C for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread is cooked through.
Leave it to cool slightly before slicing. Brush with a little olive oil or extra melted vegan garlic butter if you want a glossy finish.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Vegan Garlic Bread Recipe With Herb Swirls
Description
Homemade vegan garlic bread with soft herb swirls, garlic butter and fresh parsley. Perfect with pasta, soup or chilli.
Ingredients
For the dough:
2 cups self-raising flour
1 cup vegan buttermilk
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1 tablespoon vegan butter, softened
½ tablespoon salt
For the garlic herb filling:
7 tablespoons vegan butter, softened
3 fresh garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed
6 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, or dry parsley
Instructions
- In a large bowl or medium sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients together: self-raising flour, yeast and salt.
- Add the vegan buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of softened vegan butter. Mix everything together with a spatula until a small ball of dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and put it somewhere warm for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- When the dough has doubled, transfer it to a lightly floured flat surface. Sprinkle the top with a little flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a rectangle, roughly 16 x 10 inches.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 7 tablespoons of softened vegan butter, fresh minced garlic and fresh parsley. Add any optional extras such as nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, onion powder or red pepper flakes if using.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the dough using a fork, spoon or knife.
- Roll the dough into a log.
- Cut the log in half lengthways, then braid the two pieces together so the herb swirls are visible.
- Coil the rope like a snake, then coil the other side of the rope in the opposite direction. Transfer it into a medium sized loaf pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F / 180°C for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread is cooked through.
- Leave it to cool slightly before slicing. Brush with a little olive oil or extra melted vegan garlic butter if you want a glossy finish.
Tips for the best vegan garlic bread
The best vegan garlic bread starts with properly softened vegan butter. It should be soft enough to spread easily, but not melted. If it is too hard, it can tear the dough. If it is completely melted, it may leak out too much while baking.
Fresh garlic cloves give a stronger, fresher flavour than a teaspoon of garlic powder, but you can use garlic powder in a pinch. For the best garlic flavor, use fresh minced garlic and a small pinch of salt to bring out the flavour.
Make sure the dough has time to rise somewhere warm. If your kitchen is cold, place the bowl near a warm oven, in an airing cupboard, or in the oven with just the light switched on.
If the top of the bread is browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. This helps the middle cook without burning the edges of the bread.
For a crispier crust, brush the top with a little olive oil before baking or during the last 5-7 minutes of cooking.
Variations and substitutions
There are lots of ways to make this dairy-free garlic bread your own.
For a cheesy vegan garlic bread, sprinkle vegan mozzarella over the garlic butter mixture before rolling the dough. You can also add nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese for cheesy flavors without making it too heavy.
For roasted garlic bread, swap the fresh garlic for roasted garlic. Roasted garlic gives a softer, sweeter garlic flavor and works beautifully with fresh basil, fresh parsley or your favorite herb.
For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes to the vegan garlic butter. A small pinch is enough for gentle heat, but you can add more next time if you prefer it hotter.
For extra herby garlic bread, use a mix of fresh herbs such as fresh parsley, fresh basil, oregano, thyme or chives. Italian seasoning also works well if you only have dried herbs.
For a gluten-free version, you can try using gluten-free bread flour or a gluten-free self-raising flour blend, but the texture may be a little different. If using gluten-free bread, the easiest option is to make the vegan garlic butter and spread it onto slices of bread, ciabatta bread or gluten-free bread before baking.
Different types of bread you can use
This recipe makes a homemade loaf, but the vegan garlic butter is also lovely on other types of bread.
You can spread it onto french baguettes, sourdough bread, ciabatta bread, an Italian loaf, slices of bread, burger buns or even leftover crusty rolls. Store-bought bread is a great shortcut when you want an easy vegan garlic bread recipe without making dough from scratch.
For quick garlic toast, spread the vegan garlic butter over slices of bread and bake on a baking sheet until golden brown. This is ideal when you want a small batch rather than an entire loaf.
Serving suggestions
This homemade vegan garlic bread is the perfect side dish for so many meals. Serve it warm with spaghetti, lasagne, creamy pasta, vegan meatballs, vegan tomato soup, vegan minestrone soup or vegan chili.
It also works really well as part of a sharing meal with salads, roasted vegetables, dips, olives and vegan cheese. The swirled shape makes it look a little more special than classic garlic bread, so it is a lovely option for guests, family dinners or weekend pasta nights.
If you are making a big Italian-style meal, serve it alongside pasta dishes with a simple green salad and extra vegan parmesan cheese on the table.
How to store leftover garlic bread
Store leftover garlic bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet and warm in the oven until heated through. You can wrap the bread in aluminum foil if you want it softer, or leave it uncovered if you want a crispier crust.
You can also reheat slices in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bread. Keep an eye on it, as garlic bread can crisp up quickly.
Can you freeze vegan garlic bread?
Yes, this homemade vegan garlic bread freezes well. Once baked and cooled, slice it and place the slices in a freezer bag. Try to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer until warmed through and crisp at the edges.
You can also freeze the loaf before baking, but for the best result, baked slices are easier to store, reheat and serve.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular butter?
To keep this recipe vegan, use vegan butter, dairy-free butter or a vegan butter substitute instead of regular butter. Vegan stick butter works especially well because it gives the garlic butter mixture a rich texture.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, you can use garlic powder if needed. Fresh garlic cloves give the best garlic flavor, but a teaspoon of garlic powder can work in the filling if that is all you have.
Can I add vegan cheese?
Yes, vegan cheese works really well in this recipe. Vegan mozzarella gives a soft, melty texture, while vegan parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast adds savoury, cheesy flavors.
Can I make this with store-bought bread?
Yes. If you want a quicker version, make the vegan garlic butter and spread it over french baguettes, sourdough bread, ciabatta bread, an Italian loaf or slices of bread. Bake until golden brown.
What is the best way to make the crust crispier?
For a crispier crust, bake the bread uncovered and brush the top with olive oil or melted vegan butter before baking. You can also return slices to the oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes before serving.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Bring it back closer to room temperature before rolling and filling, as cold dough can be harder to shape.
What herbs work best?
Fresh parsley is classic, but fresh basil, oregano, thyme and chives are all lovely. You can also use Italian seasoning if you do not have fresh herbs.
Can I use olive oil instead of vegan butter?
You can use olive oil, but the filling will be looser and less buttery. For the best garlic bread texture, softened vegan butter is the better choice. A mix of vegan butter and a little olive oil works well.
How do I know when the bread is baked?
The bread should be golden brown on top and cooked through in the centre. If you are unsure, carefully lift it from the loaf pan and check that the base is firm and baked, not doughy.
This homemade vegan garlic bread is a delicious twist on classic garlic bread, with soft dough, buttery herb swirls and plenty of fresh garlic. It is simple enough for a cosy pasta night but special enough to serve when you want something homemade and a little more impressive.
Whether you enjoy it with vegan minestrone soup, vegan chili, pasta dishes or a big bowl of vegan meatballs, this homemade vegan garlic bread is full of garlicky goodness and makes the perfect accompaniment to so many favourite recipes. Give it a try, leave a star rating in the recipe card, and save it for the next time you want the best garlic bread without any dairy.
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