Braided with roasted garlic paste spread between the layers of dough, this garlic bread can be devoured right out of the oven or served with a bowl of soup.
Crisp crust, super soft interior and swirled with aromatic roasted garlic – this bread pairs absolutely perfectly with soup. And it’s vegan! Take your garlic bread game up a notch with this beautiful roasted garlic braid.
Click here for instructions on how to roast the garlic. 
Braided Garlic Bread
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Soft, pillowy bread braided with intensely flavorful roasted garlic paste. Perfect alongside soup or on its own.
Ingredients
- 2 4/5 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
- 4/5 cup (185 g) water
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 whole head garlic
- 1 tsp olive oil
- additional oil
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add the water and mix to a shaggy dough, then add the 30ml (2 Tbsp) olive oil and mix to combine.
- Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until soft and smooth.
- Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled in size.
- Roasted Garlic Paste
- Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl, keeping as much of the oil as possible. Use a small fork to mash it to a smooth paste, adding a little more oil if necessary.
- Punch down the dough and knead it together, then divide into three equal portions.
- Roll each portion out to a roughly rectangular shape about 10cm (4?) wide and 35cm (14?) long and spread each portion with the garlic paste.
- Roll the dough into long sausages, pinch them all together at one end and braid the three strands together. Pinch the other end together and transfer to a paper-lined baking sheet.
- Cover with a clean kitchen towel, allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour, and preheat oven to 230°C / 450°F.
- Brush the top with a little olive oil and bake in centre of oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a richer garlic flavor, roast the garlic head at 400°F (200°C) for 40-45 minutes before making the paste.
- If your dough seems too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it comes together.
- To prevent the bread from drying out, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 loaf
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 10
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare the roasted garlic paste for the Braided Garlic Bread?
To prepare the roasted garlic paste, follow the instructions linked in the recipe to roast whole garlic cloves until they are soft, then mash them into a paste before spreading between the layers of dough.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of roasted garlic in this recipe?
While you can use fresh garlic, it will provide a sharper flavor compared to the milder, sweeter taste of roasted garlic, which is ideal for this braided bread.
What type of flour is best for making Braided Garlic Bread?
All-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe, as it provides the right balance of protein for a soft interior and crisp crust.
