Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic

Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic is a simple way to elevate a classic french stick with foraged wild garlic. Make this easy and incredibly delicous bread as an appetiser or serve it with steak, soup, pasta and salads.

Why should I make Garlic Bread with wild garlic?

This is a very delicious bread and it’s remarkably simple to make. If you are already a fan of garlic bread then you are going to love it. And if you haven’t tried garlic bread before than the mild flavour of wild garlic is a great introduction.

There is something rather special about making something with food that you have foraged in the wild. So much of our food is available all year round so I really value the produce that is truly seasonal.

What is garlic bread?

Garlic bread is bread which has been spread with butter that has been mixed with crushed cloves of garlic. The bread is then heated so that the flavoured butter melts into the bread.

You can find standard garlic bread already prepared on the supermarket shelves but you are unlikely to find garlic bread made with wild garlic in mainstream stores. So if you want to try it then follow my recipe to learn how to make it at home.

What is wild garlic?

Wild garlic is also known as ransom, buckram, broad-leaved garlic, wood garlic, bear leek and bear’s garlic. It is a leafy plant that grows from a bulb appears in spring.  You can eat the young leaves which are a long oval shape. You can also eat flowers and although they both have a pungent garlic scent they are mild in flavour. 

Where does wild garlic grow?

Wild garlic likes a damp, shaded place to grow. It grows in woodland and along the banks of waterways. You can also see wild garlic growing in hedgerows along the roadsides but it’s wise to avoid this as it may be contaminated by traffic pollution and also possible dog urine.

It’s best to go further away from a road where the wild garlic is unlikely to be contaminated. It’s also imporatnt to wash the wild garlic leaves thoroughly to remove any grit and dust. You can get more information about safely foraging for wild garlic on the Countryfile website

How do I prepare wild garlic?

Wash the wild garlic carefully then you can use it just as you would other herbs. You can store it wrapped in damp kitchen paper and a plastic bag in the salad drawer of the fridge. It will keep for 2 or 3 days stored like this without any ill effect.  

What ingredients do I need to make Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic?

This is a very simple recipe made with a French stick bread (baguette) and my recipe for Wild Garlic Butter. It’s more about assembly than any fancy cooking.

Scroll to the end of this article to find the full recipe and all quantities of ingredients, with step-by-step photo instructions.

What size of French stick should I use?

I use a 200 gram (7 ounce) French stick which is the shorter stick. However, you can double the quantity of wild garlic butter and use a longer baguette, or use two short loaves, if you want to make more.

How many people will this Garlic Bread serve?

This is always a tricky question to answer because it depends on how much you and your family or friend’s like to eat.

It also depends on how you plan to serve the garlic bread. If it is the main carbohydrate for your meal then the 200 gram (7 ounce) loaf is likely to serve 2 people. If it is an appetiser or part of a larger spread of food then it can serve 4.

Do I need an air fryer for this recipe?

You can make Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic in an air fryer if you are using the 200 gram (7 ounce) french stick and you have a large enough air fryer. However, the method and the temperature is exactly the same to make this bread in a fan oven. If you don’t have a fan oven then increase the temperature to 190C/375F.

Can I use a different type of bread?

You can use any white crusty bread. If you use a bread that is round that will make larger slices, so you will need to put more slices of wild garlic butter between each slice. It may also take longer in the oven for the bread to warm and the butter to melt.

Crusty rolls work really well, especially the petit pain type which are like a mini french stick. Simply make two or three cuts in the roll and fill with wild garlic butter then follow the instructions for the French stick.

Can I make Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic ahead of time?

You can prepare the bread and wrap it in foil the day before you want to serve it. Then store it in the fridge until you are ready to bake the wild garlic bread.

Can I freeze Wild Garlic Bread?

I don’t recommend freezing this bread. It’s better to freeze the wild garlic butter and use a fresh French stick. French bread often sheds it’s crisp crust when it has been frozen and defrosted which is not something that you want to happen.

Vegetarian

Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic is suitable for a vegetarian diet.

Gluten Free

The bread is made with wheat flour and is not suitable for a gluten free diet. However, if you can source a GF French stick then you can enjoy this treat.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic?

This is a very versatile recipe that tastes really good with lots of different dishes. Here are some ideas you might like to try:

• I love to serve this wild garlic bread stick with grilled steak. Adding a pat of wild garlic butter to your warm steak is also recommended!
• Garlic bread and lasagne is a classic combination, it goes well with all kinds of pasta dishes.
• Serve as an appetiser as part of your charcuterie board.
• Baked Camembert is even more delicious when you have this wild garlic bread to dip into it.
• Make a meal of a hearty bowl of Creamy Wild Garlic Soup acommpanied by some Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic. It’s great with many other soups too.
• It may not be traditional but I love this bread with my Slow Cooker Beef Goulash. It’s perfect to mop up the sauce.
• It’s also the perfect buttery bread to serve with a salad plate.

More Wild Garlic Recipes