Nigella Chilli Cheese Garlic Bread

This chili cheese garlic bread is crispy on the outside, soft inside, and loaded with buttery garlic, melted mozzarella, and a touch of spice. It’s perfect as a side for pasta, soups, or just as a tasty snack!

Ingredients Needed:

• 100 grams of soft unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes
• 4 fat cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
• ⅛ teaspoon dried chilli flakes
• 1 ball mozzarella (well drained and finely chopped)
• 1 small (approx. 400g) white sourdough loaf or other good chewy bread

How To Make Chilli Cheese Garlic Bread?

1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 220ºC.
2. Make the Garlic Butter: In a bowl, mix butter, salt, garlic, and chili flakes. Stir in chopped mozzarella.
3. Slice the Bread: Cut the bread diagonally into slices about 2–2.5cm (1 inch) apart, but don’t slice all the way through.
4. Fill with Garlic Butter: Spread the mixture between the slices and smear any leftover butter on top.
5. Wrap and Bake: Wrap the loaf in foil, leaving a fold at the top. Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Crisp the Top: Open the foil slightly and bake for another 5 minutes if the top is still soft.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven, slice completely, and serve warm.

Recipe Tips:

• Drain the Mozzarella Well: If the mozzarella has too much moisture, it can make the bread soggy. Pat it dry with a paper towel before chopping.
• Cut the Bread Properly: Slice deep enough to spread the butter inside but not all the way through. This keeps the loaf together while baking.
• Spread Butter Evenly: Make sure every slice gets enough garlic butter so the flavor spreads throughout the bread. Use a butter knife or spoon to push it into the cuts.
• Wrap the Bread Loosely in Foil: Keep a small fold at the top so the steam escapes. This helps the inside stay soft while the outside gets crispy.
• Bake a Little Longer for Extra Crispiness: If you like a crunchy top, open the foil for the last 5–7 minutes of baking to let the bread crisp up more.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover garlic bread cool to room temperature. Wrap it tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days to keep it fresh.
• Freeze: Wrap the cooled bread in foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Set the air fryer to 180ºC. Place the bread inside and heat for 3–5 minutes until crispy and hot. R

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 140 kcal
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 240mg
• Potassium: 40mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 12g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 5g

Try More Nigella  Lawson Recipes:

• Nigella Chilli Chorizo​​ ​Recipe
• Nigella Spaghetti With Chard, Chilli And Anchovies
• Nigella No-knead Bread Recipe