If garlicky, cheesy, carb goodness sounds like your jam, then this garlic cheese bread needs to be at the top of your must-make list. Inspired by The Keg Steakhouse, this garlic cheese toast is almost identical to the restaurant version, but from the comfort of your home. The difference is all in one secret ingredient, making this the most indulgent garlic bread you've ever had!
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👩🏽🍳Why This Recipe Works
A true restaurant copycat recipe: This recipe is a fan favorite for good reason - it tastes just like the Keg Steakhouse cheesy garlic toast. The flavors and textures are almost identical to what you would get when you order this garlic bread at the restaurant, but in the comfort of your home. If you love the Keg's appetizers, you'll definitely want their stuffed mushrooms neptune on the menu.
Extra decadent and rich: This recipe is an amped up version of a classic garlic bread side dish. The cheesy garlic spread is extra decadent with the addition of mayonnaise, and we do not skimp on the cheese, either. If you are a fan of these ingredients, Korean Garlic Bread is a must try, too!
Great for feeding a crowd and entertaining: If you are planning a game-day get together, having a finger food party, or are just serving a large group, this recipe is perfect. This garlic cheese bread can be prepped in advance, and requires little special attention in the kitchen.
🥘Ingredients
- Mozzarella and cheddar cheese: Mozzarella and cheddar cheese are two of the best melting cheeses, that are mild in flavor and do not overpower the recipe. Freshly grated cheese works best for this spread, as pre-shredded cheeses do not melt as well.
- Bread: This recipe as written uses ciabatta bread, which is also the bread of choice at The Keg. Ciabatta is the ideal bread for a rich cheesy bread like this one, because it will stay sturdy without getting overly greasy.
- Fresh garlic: Freshly minced is always best if you are looking for a distinct garlic flavor.
- Butter: Salted butter works best for this recipe, as it eliminates the need to add any additional salt to the spread. The butter, cheese, and mayonnaise will add just the right amount of saltiness to the cheese bread.
- Mayonnaise: You can use your favorite mayonnaise brand, but you will want to avoid sandwich spreads like Miracle Whip, for example. Full-fat mayonnaise is the best option for this cheese spread.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
📖Substitutions
- Cheese: You can use all mozzarella, or all cheddar cheese if you prefer. Colby jack or Monterey jack cheeses also melt well, and are good substitutions to either of the cheeses in the garlic cheese butter.
- Bread: French bread or Italian bread work well in place of ciabatta, as they are still sturdy and hearty. I would avoid using any kind of sliced bread, as the oil from the butter and cheese will make the bread soggy.
- Salted butter: Unsalted butter will work, but you may need to add extra salt to the cheese butter.
🔪Variations
- Bacon: Add crisp bacon to the garlic cheese butter, before spreading on the bread and baking, for a delicious smokey twist.
- Garden fresh: Top the baked garlic cheese bread with chopped tomatoes and scallions for a pop of freshness.
- Roasted garlic: Amp up the garlic flavor with roasted garlic instead of fresh, just like in my classic garlic butter spread.
- Spicy: Turn this recipe into jalapeño cheese bread, by adding sliced or chopped jalapeños to the cheese butter, or on top of the bread before baking.
⏲️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all your ingredients: This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Shred the cheeses: Using the large-hole side of a box grater, or a shredder attachment on a stand mixer or food processor, shred the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
Soften the butter: Take the butter out of the fridge at least 30 minutes prior to making the cheese butter.
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Cut a large loaf of ciabatta bread in half, horizontally. If using a smaller sheet tray, you can cut the ciabatta into smaller pieces.
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, mayonnaise, shredded cheeses, and garlic. [photos 1 & 2]
Divide the cheesy garlic butter in half, spreading each portion liberally onto the ciabatta halves. You should have a thicker layer of cheese spread on each side of the ciabatta. [photo 3]
Bake the cheese toast for 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Switch the oven to broil on HI for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese and the bread is lightly brown and crisp. [photo 4]
Cut the garlic bread into squares or triangles, and serve while hot.
💭 Expert Tips
Soften butter quickly: If you forget to take the butter out of the fridge in time to soften it, you can put an unwrapped stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 10 second increments until you can easily press your finger into the butter. Try not to melt the butter.
Extra crispy bread: If you prefer your garlic bread to be extra crispy, you can pre-bake the ciabatta bread for 5 minutes, and then add your garlic cheese spread to the top.
Watch the oven closely: While broiling the bread, keep a close eye on the oven to make sure that the cheese does not get overly crisp and brown.
Air fryer instructions: This cheesy garlic bread can be made in the air fryer, as long as your air fryer basket is large enough. Air fry at 400°F for 7-8 minutes to start, and check on it every couple of minutes after that until melted and bubbly.
🍽 Make Ahead & Storage
The garlic cheese butter can be prepared several days in advance. Store in an airtight container, and keep refrigerated until you are ready to use. Be sure to bring the butter to room temperature before you are ready to use it.
Assembled garlic cheese bread can be frozen prior to being baked. Spread garlic and cheese spread onto the bread. Place the assembled bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until the butter is firm. Once frozen, transfer the bread to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can bake this bread as you want to eat it, straight from the freezer.
If you have leftover cheese bread you can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Store the bread in an airtight container or wrap in aluminum foil. The bread will soften while refrigerated, so you will want to reheat in the oven, toaster, or air fryer.
⭐ Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic, however the garlic flavor will be less sharp and pungent. You will want to use approximately ½ a tablespoon of garlic powder to get a decent amount of garlic flavor.
Cheesy garlic bread is a great appetizer all on its own, but is a great side dish to any of these delicious mains that go well with garlic bread.
Placing a layer of parchment paper on the baking sheet can prevent the bottom of the garlic cheese bread from becoming soggy. Also ensure that you are using a sturdy bread that can absorb most of the oiliness of the garlic cheese butter.
📝More Side Dish Recipes
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Keg Copycat Garlic Cheese Bread (Oven & Air Fryer!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf Ciabatta bread
- ½ cup Butter - softened (1 stick)
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Cheddar cheese - shredded
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese - shredded
- 4 cloves Garlic - minced
- ¼ teaspoon Oregano - to finish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Cut a large loaf of ciabatta bread in half, horizontally. If using a smaller sheet tray, you can cut the ciabatta into smaller pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, mayonnaise, shredded cheeses, and garlic.
- Divide the cheesy garlic butter in half, spreading each portion liberally onto the ciabatta halves. You should have a thicker layer of cheese spread on each side of the ciabatta.
- Bake the cheese toast for 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Switch the oven to broil on HI for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese and the bread is lightly brown and crisp.
- Cut the garlic bread into squares or triangles, and serve while hot.
✱Recipe Notes
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Prepare the recipe as per standard instructions.
- Place the prepared garlic cheese bread in the air fryer basket, and air fry for 7-8 minutes to start.
- Check on the garlic bread every couple of minutes afterward, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Sarah says
Omg so cheesy, better than the keg in my opinion
Linda says
This is just like the Keg!! I subbed out dried parsley instead of oregano, and it was amazing. GREAT recipe.
Carole Anne says
my SIL served this last night! wow! "and the crowd went wild!"
Sunena Anand says
Yay! I love to hear that, Carole 🙂
Karina says
What kind of mayo?
Sunena Anand says
Hi Karina! Regular mayo does the trick here - I used Hellmans, but Dukes is also a great choice!