Take your garlic bread to the next level with this easy homemade anchovy garlic spread for bread made with roasted garlic and anchovies! It's salty, savory and full of flavor!
Let's Talk Anchovies
Ahh anchovies. Such an underrated fish. Don't hit back, I promise, it will be worth it.
Anchovies have gotten a bad rep. I am not quite sure why but I am here to sign their praise!
The NY Times seems to agree that anchovies make dishes better.
Anchovies are tiny, salty fish with a strong flavor. People use them to add a salty kick to foods like salads, pasta, and pizza. They might seem intense, but when used in the right amount, they can make dishes taste really good with their unique salty and savory taste.
I created these Puff Pastry Garlic n' Herb Pinwheels which are a twist on garlic bread, because I love garlic bread SO much! And this bagna cauda which also uses anchovies!
Why anchovies are a great option:
Anchovies come in three forms: canned, salted and as a paste.
For this recipe I used Cento's Canned Anchovies. They are from Italy, which are the best ones, and packed in olive oil
The flavor packed into just one of those tiny fish is insane. It is the perfect umami bomb to place on top of something like bread. And combined with garlic, it is delicious!
With that said, if you're tired of using the same garlic bread recipe, it's time to change it up and grab yourself a can or two next time you're in the store!
Anchovies are easy to use since they are so delicate. If using a food processor to blend your butter, just toss them in whole.
If you want small chunks of anchovies, lightly chop them and and mix them directly into your butter for an immediate flavor bomb
Garlic Anchovy Butter
Anchovy garlic butter is a tasty mix of anchovies, garlic, and butter. It's a versatile flavor booster you can use in lots of ways. Whether you're spreading it on bread, cooking veggies, or drizzling it on grilled food, this butter adds a savory and slightly salty kick to make your dishes taste great.
For this anchovy spread recipe, I used Cento's Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Anchovies.
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Their products are a pantry staple in my home especially when I need a quick and flavorful snack or appetizer for guests!!
Tips for your spread
A garlic bread "SPREAD" can be made SO many ways. The base would of, course, start with butter. I like to use unsalted butter so that I can control the salt.
the possibilities are endless! Your strategy should be to include at least one FRESH herb, garlic and something extra if you like.
Fresh herbs that would be great in ANY garlic bread spread would be:
- parsley (my favorite)
- chives (my second favorite)
- basic
- thyme
- rosemary
- tarragon
- dill
Now, you can add your garlic one of THREE ways:
- Sprinkle it on using garlic powder. This is the quickest and easiest way to add garlic flavor. It is delicious and the way I do it on those busy weeknights.
- Use pre-minced garlic in the jar. This is the second best way to get that real garlic taste without doing all the peeling and chopping! It lasts for months and is actually, ALMOST as quick as sprinkling it on your bread!
- Use REAL garlic and roast it in the oven. Although this option takes the longest, it is the BEST of the three! If you have never roasted garlic, you have been missing out. The flavor becomes more mild and slightly sweet and the garlic becomes soft so you can SPREAD it! Ideal for a garlic bread spread!!
Other butter add-ins:
- Anchovies*
- Honey
- Hot Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Lemon Zest
- Parmesan Cheese
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Tomato Paste
How To Roast Your Garlic
Roasting garlic is a great way to amp up the flavor of ANY dish! Besides putting roasted garlic in a bread spread, you can add it to your mashed potatoes or even in some pasta dishes.
There are two ways to roast your garlic.
- Take the whole bulb and slice off the top portion. Then drizzle some olive oil and wrap it in some foil. Then bake. Here is a recipe.
- You could also add the individual cloves to foil with some oil and roast it that way. That is what I did for this recipe.
Check out these tips for how to store garlic!
Here are some other garlicky appetizers you can serve:
Greek Potato and Garlic Dip (Skordalia)
๐ Recipe
Anchovy Garlic Spread For Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Fresh Long Italian Baguette ((12 1" slices))
- 8 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 5 Anchovy Filets
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 tablespoon Freshly Chopped Parsley
- ยฝ Tsp. Salt (*Only if using UNSALTED butter)
- 4-5 Large Cloves Garlic
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and take your butter out of the fridge to allow it to come to room temperature.
- Peel off the skin of your garlic cloves and add the garlic cloves, whole anchovies and olive oil to a piece of tin foil big enough to fold up and lightly close the foil. (about an 8x8" square)
- Place foil pack on a sheet pan in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- When done roasting, take out and chop up garlic and anchovies into a paste. Add paste to your butter, honey, parsley, and salt. *Option: Add to food processor or mixer and blend until combined. Set aside.
- Slice your bread into 1" slices and lay on a baking sheet. Spread your garlic anchovy butter onto each slice being generous. Set oven to 'broil' and place on the middle rack until edges of your bread are browned.
- Serve immediately!
Karly
Who doesn't like garlic bread?! I can't wait to try this!
Bite Sized Kitchen
I agree! ๐ Thanks!
Laura
Who doesn't like garlic bread, right? I can't wait to try what you have come up with - the images look really delicious!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Thank you Laura!!
Michelle
I bet this appetizer doesn't last long when you bring it out. This with some cheese, wine and olives. Perfect! I love Cento products. Always get a good result with them. I'll keep an eye out for these anchovies in the grocery store.
Bite Sized Kitchen
Lol, I agree!
Vera
A glass of wine and this appetizer - what else do you need! Yum!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Exactly! ๐
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
Roasted garlic really is the best! I love the idea of using it for a spread! SO TASTY!!
Brian Jones
This sounds great, anchovies add such a rich savoury flavour to recipes, they pop up in all sorts of my recipes.
Bite Sized Kitchen
Agreed! I hope more people are willing to try them!! ๐
Chelsey
Oh girl, you had me at โgarlicโ and โbreadโ! Carbs are definitely my weakness, and slathering bread with this yummy garlic spread just makes it completely irresistible. I especially love that you roasted the garlic and anchovies together!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Lol they're my weakness to! Garlic anything!
Beth Neels
Oh my word!!! Like you, I could totally live on garlic bread alone! ๐ Although, I have never made it with anchovy! That adds that last needed food group for the balanced meal! I can''t wait to try it! Thanks!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Thanks Beth! ๐
Kim | Give it Some Thyme
Yes!! Bring on the garlic! Garlic bread was a staple in our house too growing up. This spread sounds so delicious and love the added flavor from the anchovies. Going on the to-make list!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Thanks Kim!! Team garlic bread!! ๐
Athena
Yummy garlic bread spread!!!! Love this recipe it is so delicious!!!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Thanks Athena!! ๐
Jas @ All that's Jas
I'm with you...nothing better than warm bread and garlicky spread. What more do you need? I love anchovies (yes, even on pizza), so this roasted garlic bread spread recipe is righ up my alley. Can't wait to try it. XX
Bite Sized Kitchen
Yes garlic is everything! ๐ I have not yet had anchovies on pizza but always wanted to try that!
Haley Seymour
YUMMM!!! What a great idea!! Canโt wait to try this at my next dinner party! What a great way to take things up a notch! I bet it would also taste great on corn ๐
Bite Sized Kitchen
A garlic butter anchovy spread on corn?!? You're GENIUS!!!