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If there’s one thing we all deserve at the end of a long day, it’s this: crispy, cheesy, garlicky vegan garlic bread—but make it fancy. This vegan cheesy pesto garlic bread is the ultimate comfort food sidekick: packed with roasted garlic, rich herby pesto, melty vegan mozzarella, and a buttery base that will have everyone at the table fighting over the last slice.
Whether you’re serving it with pasta, soup, or simply snacking straight from the baking sheet (no judgment), this dairy-free garlic bread delivers serious flavor with minimal effort. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Garlic Bread
- Flavor-Packed – Roasted garlic, pesto, buttery goodness, and melty cheese… need we say more?
- The Magic of Roasted Garlic – Roasting garlic mellows it into a sweet, savory spread you’ll want to put on everything.
- Completely Dairy-Free – 100% vegan but rich enough to impress even the most cheese-loving guest.
- Quick & Easy to Prepare – Most of the work is hands-off; roast, spread, bake, and enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Garlic – Roasting a whole head of garlic turns it from pungent to sweet, mellow, and spreadable. It creates an intensely savory, almost buttery base for the garlic butter, adding flavor without the bite of raw garlic.
- Olive oil – This is used to coat the garlic before roasting, helping it caramelize and soften beautifully in the oven. It also enhances flavor and prevents burning.
- French bread – The perfect base for garlic bread. French bread is sturdy, with a crusty exterior and a soft interior — ideal for holding up to all that buttery, cheesy, pesto-packed topping without getting soggy.
- Vegan butter – Butter is the base of any classic garlic bread. Vegan butter adds rich flavor and creaminess, and helps carry the garlic and pesto flavors evenly across the bread. Softened butter makes it easy to mix and spread.
- Dairy-free pesto (store-bought or homemade—your choice) – This adds a herby, nutty, slightly cheesy punch (thanks to ingredients like basil, nuts, and nutritional yeast, if homemade). It elevates basic garlic bread into something worthy of a fancy pizza parlor.
- Vegan parmesan cheese – Optional but highly recommended. Vegan parmesan adds an extra layer of salty, umami flavor that mimics the traditional taste of cheesy garlic bread. Remarkable for depth and that little cheesy bite. We like to use the Violife brand.
- Vegan mozzarella cheese shreds (look for meltable brands like Daiya or Follow Your Heart) – The star of the “cheesy” show. Vegan mozzarella melts beautifully (depending on the brand), creating a gooey, stretchy top that makes this feel indulgent and classic.
- Fresh basil (for that finishing flair) – Fresh basil adds a pop of color and a burst of bright, peppery freshness that cuts through the richness. It also makes the whole dish look as good as it tastes.
Pro Tip
For a homemade vegan pesto, try our recipe, which can be found here. We also have a nut-free version!
Equipment Needed:
- Oven-safe ramekin with lid or aluminum foil
- Spatula
- Baking sheet
How to Make Vegan Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread
Step 1: Roast the Garlic – Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place it in foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap it up loosely, and roast directly on the rack for 45 minutes. Let it cool until it’s safe to handle.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Pesto Butter – Once cooled, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a medium bowl. Add the softened vegan butter, pesto, and vegan parmesan (if using). Use a fork to mash and mix everything together into a creamy, dreamy spread.
Step 3: Prep the Bread – Slice your French bread in half lengthwise. Spread the garlic pesto butter generously over each half. Top with shredded vegan mozzarella for the cheesy finishing touch.
Step 4: Bake – Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are perfectly crisp.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve – Sprinkle with fresh basil and dairy-free parmesan, slice into pieces, and serve immediately. Try not to eat the whole loaf before dinner.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this bread with:
- Your favorite pasta night (think homemade ravioli or baked ziti)
- Creamy soups like roasted red pepper or vegan broccoli cheddar
- A big, bright grilled vegetable salad
- Or eat it standing over the counter—we won’t tell
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Pop slices in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again.
- Freezer-friendly? You bet. Assemble but don’t bake, wrap in foil, and freeze. Bake straight from frozen at 400°F for 15–18 minutes.
Pair Your Garlic Bread With These Recipes
Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you make this recipe. We love to see your photos!
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Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
If there’s one thing we all deserve at the end of a long day, it’s this: crispy, cheesy, garlicky vegan garlic bread—but make it fancy. This vegan cheesy pesto garlic bread is the ultimate comfort food sidekick: packed with roasted garlic, rich herby pesto, melty vegan mozzarella, and a buttery base that will have everyone at the table fighting over the last slice.
Ingredients
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 loaf of French bread
- ½ cup (1 stick) vegan butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons pesto
- 2 tablespoons vegan parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese
- Basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place it in foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap it up loosely, and roast directly on the rack for 45 minutes. Let it cool until it’s safe to handle.
- Make the Garlic Pesto Butter. Once cooled, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a medium bowl. Add the softened vegan butter, pesto, and vegan parmesan (if using). Use a fork to mash and mix everything into a creamy, dreamy spread.
- Prep the Bread. Slice your French bread in half lengthwise. Spread the garlic pesto butter generously over each half. Top with shredded vegan mozzarella for the cheesy finishing touch.
- Bake. Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are perfectly crisp. *Pro-Tip: Broil for an additional 3-5 minutes on high for extra bubbly and brown cheese.
- Garnish & Serve. Sprinkle with fresh basil and dairy-free parmesan, slice into pieces, and serve immediately. Try not to eat the whole loaf before dinner.
Notes
- Storing: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Pop slices in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again.
- Freezing: Assemble but don’t bake, wrap in foil, and freeze. Bake straight from frozen at 400°F for 15–18 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
