The Secret Ingredient for the Best Garlic Bread You’ll Ever Have

Garlic bread

Do you know the secret to amazing garlic bread? It's something you already have in your fridge and it probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when making a loaf of garlic bread to go along with your pasta dinner.

It's mayonnaise. And whether you're a mayo lover or a mayo hater, it's undeniable that this tip will make for the best garlic bread you've ever had. Read on and discover why this tip will become your new favorite secret weapon in the kitchen.

Related: The Secret Ingredient for Crispy, Crunchy, Perfectly Golden Grilled Cheese Every Time

Why should you add mayo to your garlic bread?

Mayo is a pretty magical ingredient. It's key for dishes like tuna salad and egg salad, but it's also a great thing to reach for when you're looking for rich flavor and perfectly even browning. Two great examples: spread it on the outside of a grilled cheese instead of butter or rub it all over your Thanksgiving turkey.

Adding mayo to your garlic bread gives it an extra oomph that you won't get from butter or olive oil (and why would you spend your time eating foods with less oomph?). And no, the bread won't scream "mayo." The mayo melts into the bread and melds with the stronger, namely garlic and cheese, so it's possible even mayo haters might eat this garlic bread and not know what the secret ingredient is.

Mayo keeps the bread tender inside and crispy on the outside, giving you a good base for your cheesy garlicky goodness. One commenter on a recipe post says: "Don't serve this with dinner because you won't want to eat anything else except more bread." Noted!

View the original article to see embedded media.

Related: How to Store Garlic So It Stays Fresh, According to Italian Cooks and Nonna-Trained Pros

What does mayo do to garlic bread?

Katie Stilo, culinary producer and food stylist at the Today Show, has made her fair share of garlic bread and says this tip holds up. "The fat content of the mayo helps to crisp up the bread without risking burning it," she says. "Similar to why people use mayo for their grilled cheese!" Mayo is oil-based and not butter-based, so it's going to melt at a different temperature than butter, which makes for a super crispy top all while preserving the bread's pillowy interior.

How to make garlic bread with mayo

Some recipes call for a loaf of Italian bread cut lengthwise and spread with 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup grated parmesan (preferably freshly grated, but you do you) and three cloves of crushed garlic.

Other recipes call for mixing shredded mozzarella with your mayo or smearing the bread with a butter/mayo/roasted garlic mixture and whatever other seasonings you wish. Experiment with what you have and what you like to find the right combination for you.

Bake at 425° until golden brown and bubbling. Before serving, sprinkle it with a little salt and some fresh parsley.

Next: Martha Stewart’s Simple Trick for Getting Garlic Smell Off Your Hands