Garlic Bread Dip is the ultimate comfort food starter, taking all the flavors you love from classic garlic bread and transforming them into a warm, creamy, utterly addicting dip. Imagine roasted garlic cloves, gooey melted cheese, and a touch of tang from sour cream, all coming together to make every bite rich and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re hosting friends for game night, bringing a dish to a potluck, or simply treating yourself to something special, this dip is guaranteed to be the star of the show!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Garlic Bread Dip proves that you don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to create something absolutely crave-worthy. Each item here plays a key role in building that irresistible texture, flavor, and golden cheese pull that will have everyone hovering nearby while it bakes.

Garlic: The backbone of the dip, roasted until soft and sweet for a mellow, irresistible flavor.
Olive oil: Used to roast the garlic, lending richness and helping everything caramelize perfectly.
Cream cheese (room temperature): This creamy base is essential for a silky dip that holds up for dunking.
Sour cream: Adds tanginess and lightens up the richness, giving the dip a lush, scoopable consistency.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey strings for a true comfort food moment in every bite.
Grated parmesan cheese (divided): Adds salty, nutty depth and creates a gorgeous golden top crust.
Salt: Enhances all those savory flavors.
Pepper: Brings just enough warmth and balance.
Fresh chopped parsley (as a garnish): Adds a burst of color and a hint of freshness right before serving.
Crostini or crackers (for serving): The perfect vehicles for scooping up all that cheesy, garlicky goodness.

How to Make Garlic Bread Dip

Step 1: Roast the Garlic

The magic of this Garlic Bread Dip starts with deeply roasted garlic. Preheat your oven to 400℉ and carefully slice about a quarter inch off the root end of each garlic head, exposing the beautifully packed cloves inside. Place the heads upright in a little foil “bowl,” drizzle generously with olive oil, then seal them up snugly with the foil. After roasting for 40-50 minutes, your kitchen will smell incredible! Allow the garlic to cool before handling, as the cloves will be soft, golden, and intensely fragrant.

Step 2: Get the Oven Ready

Once your garlic is roasted and cooling, reset your oven to 350℉. This slightly lower temperature is just right for baking the finished dip, ensuring cheesy meltiness without burning.

Step 3: Prepare the Roasted Garlic Paste

When the garlic heads are cool enough, simply squeeze from the bottom and all those buttery cloves will pop right out. Mash them in a large mixing bowl with a fork until you have a smooth, golden paste. This is the secret weapon that makes Garlic Bread Dip so aromatic and flavorful!

Step 4: Mix the Creamy Base

Add your room temperature cream cheese and sour cream to the bowl with the garlic paste. Stir enthusiastically until everything is creamy—don’t be afraid to use a little muscle here! Next, fold in shredded mozzarella, half the grated parmesan, salt, and pepper, mixing until everything is well incorporated. The blend should look thick, cheesy, and flecked with roasted garlic bits.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Spread the dip mixture into a small baking dish, such as an 8×8 square or a standard pie pan. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan over the top to guarantee a bubbly, browned crust. Pop it into your preheated 350℉ oven for about 25-28 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the top is lightly golden. Let it rest briefly when it comes out—just enough to set, but not so much that it loses its gorgeous cheese pull.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Finish your Garlic Bread Dip with a shower of fresh chopped parsley. This final flourish adds bright color and a pop of herbal freshness that balances the rich, roasted flavors. Serve it up warm with crostini or crackers and watch it disappear!

How to Serve Garlic Bread Dip

Garnishes

A little touch goes a long way with garnishes for Garlic Bread Dip. Fresh chopped parsley is classic and provides a welcome hint of green. For a little extra flair, you could also sprinkle on a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, an extra dusting of parmesan, or even a few finely chopped chives.

Side Dishes

Although Garlic Bread Dip absolutely shines on its own, it plays beautifully alongside a crisp green salad, a tray of roasted veggies, or a light pasta dish. You can also serve it as part of an appetizer spread with charcuterie, fresh veggies, and a selection of dips to keep the party going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the basic bread bowl! Try piling big spoonfuls of Garlic Bread Dip onto baked potato halves, serving with grilled flatbread triangles, or even using it as a decadent spread for sandwiches and wraps. For a truly memorable occasion, hollow out a crusty loaf and pour the dip inside for a dramatic presentation that doubles as an edible serving dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Have some Garlic Bread Dip left after the party? Lucky you! Simply transfer it to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for up to three days. The flavors only deepen over time, making it superb for snacking the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze Garlic Bread Dip (before or after baking) for longer storage. Place cooled dip in a freezer-safe container, seal well, and label with the date. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating.

Reheating

To bring your Garlic Bread Dip back to its former glory, reheat it gently in a 350℉ oven until hot and bubbly, usually about 15-20 minutes. For individual portions, a quick zap in the microwave works, too—just be sure to stir halfway for even heating.

FAQs

Can I make Garlic Bread Dip ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the dip (without baking) up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. When guests arrive, just pop it in the oven until bubbly and ready to serve.

What are the best dippers for Garlic Bread Dip?

Crostini and crackers are tried-and-true, but sliced French baguette, breadsticks, pita chips, or even crisp veggies like celery and bell pepper strips are all delicious options for scooping up that cheesy dip.

Can I use pre-roasted garlic or jarred minced garlic?

While you could use pre-roasted garlic for convenience, roasting fresh heads brings out a milder, sweeter flavor that takes Garlic Bread Dip to the next level. Jarred minced garlic tends to be sharper and less nuanced, so fresh is best!

Is it possible to lighten up this dip?

Sure thing! You can swap in low-fat cream cheese and sour cream to shave off a few calories. Greek yogurt also makes a great substitute for sour cream if you want a protein boost.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Definitely! Crumbled cooked bacon, sautéed spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes all pair beautifully with the garlicky base. Just be sure not to overload the dip so it stays creamy and spreadable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to impress friends or simply treat yourself to something extra special, this Garlic Bread Dip is your answer. Cheesy, aromatic, and endlessly customizable, it’s everything you love about garlic bread in a shareable, crowd-pleasing dip. Don’t wait for a special occasion—whip this up and let the cheesy, garlicky magic begin!

Garlic Bread Dip Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 30 reviews

Author: Chloe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in this creamy and flavorful Garlic Bread Dip that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family. Made with roasted garlic, cream cheese, and a blend of cheeses, this dip is a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

Instructions

Roasted garlic: Preheat oven to 400℉. Remove excess papers from outside of garlic heads. Slice off ¼” from the top of each head of garlic (the wide/root end) to expose the cloves. Discard top portion.
Make a little bowl of foil to set garlic in and hold the heads upright. Drizzle the tops with olive oil, then cover completely with foil. Roast in the oven for about 40-50 minutes, or until garlic is soft throughout and lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool before handling.
Reduce oven temperature to 350℉.
Dip: Squeeze garlic cloves out of their skins and into a large mixing bowl. Mash with a fork to create a paste consistency.
Add cream cheese and sour cream to the bowl. Mix until combined. Add shredded mozzarella, half of the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.
Spread into a small baking dish (8×8 square or 8-9 inch pie pan works well) and top with remaining parmesan cheese.
Bake for about 25-28 minutes, or until middle is hot and bubbling. Top should be lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crostini or crackers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American