This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy.

Grilled bread comes out perfectly toasted and charred! Use it as a base for appetizers, or make grilled garlic bread as a side dish.

Grilled bread
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Need a killer appetizer or side dish? Enter: Grilled Bread! There’s nothing quite like bread for soaking up the charred, smoky flavor of the grill. This recipe works two different ways: first, you can use it as a base for a summertime bruschetta or fancy toast. Or, make it as grilled garlic bread: a delicious side dish that’s fantastic for any summer meal! Here’s how to make it: both ways!

Ingredients for grilled bread

Grilled bread is delicious for appetizers, but honestly we love it as grilled garlic bread the most! Either way, you don’t need many ingredients for this recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Bread: any type of rustic artisan loaf will do! A good ciabatta is nice, but anything works
  • Olive oil: for brushing
  • Kosher salt: for sprinkling

If you’re going the garlic bread route, you’ll need garlic as well. You can finish the bread with olive oil or butter, but it’s not required. All you need to know: brush the slices with olive oil before throwing it onto the grill.

Grilled garlic bread

How to grill bread: temperature and timing

All you need to know about how to grill bread? The grill temperature and the timing. Once you’ve mastered that, just memorize it and make this bread on repeat. Here’s what to know:

  • Preheat the grill to medium high: that’s 375 to 450 degrees.
  • Cook on the grates 1 to 2 minutes per side. That’s it! You’ll want to be just started to get charred at the edges.
How to grill bread

Make it as grilled garlic bread

Want grilled garlic bread? This recipe works for it too. The trick? Rubbing garlic on the bread. It sounds odd, but it really works! This is the method used in the Spanish tapas recipe, pan con tomate and it works like a charm.

  • Rub the cut side of a peeled garlic clove on the bread. This infuses massive garlic flavor into each toast! It doesn’t look like anything, but trust us! Take one bite and it’s perfectly garlicky.
  • Or, make garlic butter and brush it on after grilling. Follow the instructions in our Garlic Bread recipe.

Add toppings to make an appetizer!

Another way to use grilled bread? For summery appetizers and fancy toast! Here are some great ideas for ways to top this crunchy toast:

  • Bruschetta topping: Chop tomatoes, garlic, and basil to make a tangy classic Italian topping (add Balsamic Reduction to be fancy)
  • Whipped feta: Top with Whipped Feta Dip and honey (delicious!)
  • Goat cheese: Spread on goat cheese, honey, and fresh mint
  • Fruit: Try a layer of goat cheese or ricotta, then strawberries or blackberries and honey
  • Pesto: Add ricotta and basil pesto

What would you use for topping these tasty charred toasts? Let us know in the comments below!

Grilled garlic bread

More grill recipes

There are so many ways to grill up delicious treats in the summer! Here are some of our top grilled recipes:

This grilled garlic bread recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Grilled bread

Grilled Bread (Garlic or Plain!)


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices 1x
Save Recipe

Description

Grilled bread comes out perfectly toasted and charred! Use it as a base for appetizers, or make grilled garlic bread as a side dish.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices of rustic bread
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced in half (optional)
  • Butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees).
  2. Grill: Brush each side of the bread lightly with olive oil. Place the slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1 pinch of salt on top of each. Grill 1 to 2 minutes per side, until crispy and just starting to char on the edges.
  3. Serve: Remove from the heat. If desired, rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic and a bit of butter or additional olive oil (we rubbed on a small pat of butter between all the slices). Add another sprinkle of kosher salt if serving plain as garlic bread, and top with chopped herbs if desired.
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: Grilled
  • Diet: Vegan

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

3 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    Have you ever prepared this grilled bread in advance and popped it into the freezer?
    If so, do you recommend it? Thanks for a delicious-looking recipe!

    1. Alex Overhiser says:

      We haven’t tried that! I’m not sure how it would thaw after freezing. Please let us know if you try.

  2. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!