Garlic bread, from fast food / restaurant
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A golden, crispy slice of bread generously slathered in a rich, savory blend of melted butter, minced garlic, and often a hint of parsley. It delivers a satisfying crunch on the outside with a soft, buttery interior, offering a potent punch of umami and aromatic flavor. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense side, packing over 340 kcal per 100g, primarily from fats and refined carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 10% protein · 48% carbs · 43% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its irresistible, savory flavor profile that transforms simple bread into an indulgent treat. It's a universally comforting side that pairs perfectly with pasta, soups, and salads, evoking a sense of casual, satisfying dining.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high calorie, fat, and refined carb content can contribute to blood sugar spikes and is a concern for those monitoring intake. To counteract, practice strict portion control (e.g., one small piece), pair it with a protein-rich main like grilled chicken or a fiber-heavy salad to slow digestion, and choose versions with less butter or added herbs.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains small amounts of protein and dietary fiber.
- Garlic offers trace amounts of beneficial compounds like allicin.
- Can enhance meal enjoyment and satisfaction.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The popular American version of garlic bread is a direct descendant of the Italian 'fettunta,' a simple slice of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil, which dates back centuries.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 31.7 g |
| Energy | 349 kcal |
| Protein | 8.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 41.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 27.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 87.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 103 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 620 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.87 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.44 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 4.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Folate, total | 167 ug |
| Folic acid | 45.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 122 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 199 ug |
| Choline, total | 8.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.08 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 13.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 25.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 29.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.65 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.33 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.74 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.73 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Garlic bread, frozen — USDA does not publish this profile for Garlic bread.
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.19 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.23 g |
| Leucine | 0.41 g |
| Lysine | 0.24 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.10 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.27 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.19 g |
| Valine | 0.26 g |
| Arginine | 0.23 g |
| Histidine | 0.13 g |
| Alanine | 0.22 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.33 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.5 g |
| Glycine | 0.20 g |
| Proline | 0.52 g |
| Serine | 0.27 g |
FAQ
Is garlic bread vegan?
Traditional garlic bread is not vegan, as it typically contains butter or other dairy-based spreads. However, many restaurants and stores now offer vegan versions made with plant-based margarine or olive oil.
Why does garlic bread have so many calories?
The high calorie count comes from its two main components: bread (refined carbohydrates) and a generous amount of butter or oil (pure fat), making it very energy-dense by weight.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes. Use whole-grain bread, reduce the butter amount, mix it with olive oil, and add fresh minced garlic and herbs like parsley or oregano for flavor without extra calories.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.49 kcal/g · 10% calories from protein · 2.5 g fiber · 3.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 6.02 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.