Description
If you love garlic bread and ooey-gooey cheese, this Baked Garlic Bread Dip is about to become your new favorite appetizer. Imagine the rich, buttery taste of classic garlic bread—now turned into a warm, dippable delight! This creamy, cheesy dip is loaded with roasted garlic, cream cheese, and mozzarella, all baked until golden and bubbly. It’s perfect for game nights, holiday gatherings, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dip:
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (for a crispy topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For Serving:
- Toasted baguette slices
- Crackers
- Fresh vegetables like carrots and celery
Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
If you haven’t already roasted your garlic, here’s how:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the top off a head of garlic, drizzle it with olive oil, wrap it in foil, and roast for 35-40 minutes until soft and golden.
- Let it cool, then squeeze out the softened cloves and mash them with a fork.
Step 2: Prepare the Dip
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, roasted garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Transfer the dip mixture to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, garlic powder, and panko breadcrumbs.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella over the dip, followed by the buttery breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot with toasted bread, crackers, or veggies.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Option: You can assemble the dip a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes.
- Customize the Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like sharp cheddar, gouda, or fontina for a unique twist.
- Extra Garlicky? Add an extra roasted garlic clove or a dash of garlic salt if you’re a garlic lover.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free panko and serve with gluten-free crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes + roasting garlic time
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American/Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg