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Hot honey garlic bread

Hot Honey Garlic Confit Cheesy Ciabatta Bread

Crispy ciabatta loaded with buttery garlic confit, Parmesan, and gooey melted mozzarella, finished with a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey. This cheesy garlic bread is packed with flavor and perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or family favorite. Make the garlic confit on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the air fryer!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ciabatta loaf
  • 1 cup garlic cloves peeled
  • 1½ cups olive oil
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ tablespoon red chili flakes
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley chopped (use to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon hot honey

Method
 

Prepare the Garlic Confit (Choose Your Method)
  1. **Stovetop:** Add peeled garlic cloves and olive oil to a small cast iron Dutch oven or saucepan, ensuring the garlic is fully covered. Cook over low heat for 15–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is soft, lightly golden, and fragrant. Keep the oil at a gentle simmer.
  2. **Oven:** Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place peeled garlic cloves in a small oven-safe dish and cover completely with olive oil. Cover with foil and bake for 35–45 minutes, until soft and lightly golden.
  3. **Air Fryer:** Preheat air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place peeled garlic cloves in a small air fryer-safe dish and cover with olive oil. Cover securely with foil, following your air fryer's safety instructions. Air fry for 20–30 minutes, or until soft and lightly golden.
Preheat the Oven
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) while the garlic finishes cooking. If using the oven method, increase the temperature after removing the garlic.
Make the Garlic Butter
  1. Transfer the softened garlic cloves and 1–2 tablespoons of the garlic-infused olive oil to a bowl. Lightly mash with a fork, then mix in softened butter, red chili flakes, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh parsley until creamy with some texture. Reserve a little Parmesan and parsley for topping.
Assemble the Ciabatta
  1. Slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise and place both halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both halves. Sprinkle with the reserved Parmesan cheese, then top generously with shredded mozzarella until fully covered.
Bake Until Golden and Crispy
  1. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 5–7 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted. Switch the oven to broil and cook for another 2–5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is golden and bubbly and the edges are crispy.
Finish with Hot Honey
  1. Remove from the oven and drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, slice into pieces, and serve warm.