Name: Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 205 ml lukewarm water; 3.5 g instant yeast (1 ⅛ teaspoon); 1 tablespoon olive oil or any other light oil; 325 g strong white bread flour (2 ⅝ cups); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk (for brushing only); 60 g vegan butter (¼ cup); 8 cloves garlic; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 2 tablespoon dried thyme; 6 tablespoon fresh coriander; 7 tablespoon fresh basil; ½ teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 58 reviews

If you’re craving something warm, garlicky, and packed with fresh herbs, I have just the thing for you — my Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want to impress family or friends but without spending hours in the kitchen. The bread is soft, fluffy, and filled with that incredible garlicky, herby flavor that makes every bite unforgettable. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your new favorite quick-bread go-to!

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Why This Recipe Works

Fresh Herb Medley: The combination of thyme, basil, coriander, and parsley adds layers of fresh, vibrant flavor you can really taste in every slice.
Perfectly Soft Bread: Using bread flour and the right kneading technique creates that fluffy, springy texture we all love.
Garlic Butter Filling: Mixing vegan butter with garlic infuses the bread with richness without overpowering the delicate herbs.
Beautiful Presentation: Twisting the dough with visible filling layers makes this bread as stunning to look at as it tastes.

Vegan Garlic Herb Bread, vegan bread with garlic and herbs, easy vegan bread recipe, quick vegan garlic bread, plant-based herb bread - The image shows a twisted loaf of herb bread with several layers visibly intertwined, each layer having a golden brown crust and a soft white inside mixed with green herbs and spices scattered throughout. It sits on a piece of baking paper on top of a white marbled surface. Around it, there are small bowls filled with green herbs and coarse salt, a wooden rolling pin wrapped in a beige cloth, and some fresh green herb leaves scattered on the surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe plays a specific role to get you that perfect soft texture and flavorful punch. I like to pick fresh herbs when possible, and fresh garlic always makes a huge difference in the aroma and depth of flavor here.

Vegan Garlic Herb Bread, vegan bread with garlic and herbs, easy vegan bread recipe, quick vegan garlic bread, plant-based herb bread - Flat lay of a small mound of strong white bread flour, a large white ceramic bowl filled with lukewarm water, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl of creamy unsweetened almond milk, a small white bowl of softened vegan butter, eight fresh whole garlic cloves, a small white bowl with dried parsley, a small white bowl with dried thyme, a handful of fresh coriander sprigs, and a handful of fresh basil leaves, all arranged in perfect symmetry and natural proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lukewarm water: Activates the yeast without killing it, which helps the bread rise nicely.
Instant yeast: Efficient and reliable for a quick rise, giving your bread a soft crumb.
Olive oil or light oil: Adds tenderness to the dough and helps keep the crust slightly crisp.
Bread flour: High protein content ensures better gluten development, resulting in a chewy, airy loaf.
Salt: Enhances all flavors without competing with the herbs and garlic.
Unsweetened almond milk: Used for brushing, it gives the crust a lovely golden color and a subtle nutty note.
Vegan butter: The star in the filling that carries the garlic and herbs, melting into the bread as it bakes.
Garlic cloves: Fresh and pungent, essential for that classic garlic bread flavor.
Dried parsley and thyme: Provide herbaceous notes and slightly woody undertones for balance.
Fresh coriander and basil: Deliver bright, fresh acidity and sweet, fragrant flavors that elevate the filling.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to experiment with different herb combinations or even add a little chili flakes for some heat if that’s your vibe. I’ve played around with things like adding nutritional yeast for a cheesy twist or using rosemary instead of parsley to change up the flavor profile.

Herb swaps: If you can’t get fresh coriander or basil, try rosemary or oregano — I’ve found the bread still comes out fantastic.
Garlic intensity: Love it stronger? Increase the garlic cloves to 10 in the filling, or roast them first for a sweeter, milder flavor.
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red chili flakes to the filling to give this bread a little zing that pairs well with soups.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe

Step 1: Activate and Mix Your Dough

Start by combining lukewarm water with your instant yeast in a large bowl. I always give it a gentle stir and wait for a few minutes, just to make sure the yeast is alive and bubbling slightly. Next, add in your olive oil, bread flour, and finally the salt — keeping it on top of the flour at first to prevent it from killing the yeast early. Mix everything until it comes together into a rough dough.

Step 2: Knead & Prove

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and springy. When you poke it lightly, it should bounce back — that’s when you know you’ve developed enough gluten. Shape it into a ball, place it in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about an hour until it doubles in size. This step is where the magic with yeast really happens, so be patient!

Step 3: Prepare the Herb Garlic Filling

While the dough is rising, crush the garlic and pop everything for the filling — vegan butter, garlic cloves, dried parsley & thyme, fresh coriander & basil, and salt — into your food processor or blender. I like to pulse it until it’s a chunky paste that’s easy to spread. No processor? No problem! Just chop your fresh herbs finely and mash everything together with a fork until you get a thick, flavorful spread.

Step 4: Roll, Fill, and Twist

Once the dough has risen, knock out the air by punching it gently and turn it onto a floured surface. Roll it out to a thin rectangle about half a centimeter thick. Spread your filling evenly so every bite is packed with garlicky, herby goodness. Then, roll from one of the short edges into a tight log. Cut a slit down the middle of the roll without going all the way through the top. Now comes the fun part — twist the strands over each other a few times, keeping the filling exposed for that beautiful look. Pinch the ends and tuck under to hold everything in place.

Step 5: Final Proof and Bake to Golden Perfection

Place your twisted loaf on a baking tray, cover, and let it proof again for 45 minutes — this gives it that lovely lift and softness. Meanwhile, preheat your oven (I use a fan setting at 190°C/374°F; if not fan, 210°C/410°F). Just before baking, brush the loaf with unsweetened almond milk for a gorgeous golden finish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is crisp and golden brown. The smell while it’s baking? Seriously addictive.

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Pro Tips for Making Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe

Keep Yeast and Salt Separate: Salt can kill yeast prematurely, so always add it last and on top of the flour before mixing.
Use Bread Flour: I tried this with plain flour once, and it just didn’t get that perfect chewy texture — bread flour makes all the difference.
Don’t Overknead: Knead until springy but not stiff — overdoing it can make the bread tough instead of fluffy.
Pinch Ends Firmly: This simple step stops the twist from unraveling in the oven, keeping those gorgeous herb layers intact.

How to Serve Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe

Vegan Garlic Herb Bread, vegan bread with garlic and herbs, easy vegan bread recipe, quick vegan garlic bread, plant-based herb bread - There is a white plate with two large slices of braided bread that has a golden brown crust and visible green herb filling swirled inside each slice, with one slice resting partially on top of the other. Next to the plate, a larger piece of the same braided bread, showing three twisted layers with dark green herbs baked in between, sits on white parchment paper. Around the bread, there are small white bowls and dishes with white salt and green chopped herbs, including one dish with a small wooden spoon. To the right, a small round bowl holds fresh green parsley leaves. All items are placed on a white marbled surface with a light beige cloth on the right edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little flaky sea salt and some freshly cracked black pepper over the finished loaf. Sometimes I add a dusting of nutritional yeast for a subtle cheesy vibe that pairs so well with the garlic butter filling. A few fresh basil leaves scattered on top right after baking brighten things up visually and flavor-wise.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs like a dream with a bowl of vegan tomato basil soup or a hearty lentil stew. I also love serving it alongside a crisp, fresh green salad for a lighter meal option. It’s perfect for soaking up sauces or as an accompaniment to a lazy weekend brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve twisted the bread into a wreath shape to make a festive centerpiece that’s as fun to share as it is to eat. You can also slice it into mini pull-apart rolls for parties—everyone loves grabbing warm, garlicky bread right off the tray.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover bread in foil and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If it loses some crispness, a quick toast or warming in the oven brings it right back.

Freezing

This vegan garlic herb bread freezes beautifully. I slice it before freezing so you can grab just what you need. Wrap each slice or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices directly into a toaster or warm the whole loaf wrapped in foil in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 10-15 minutes. This method restores that fresh-baked softness and crispy crust just like the first day.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of bread flour in this Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe?

You can, but bread flour is recommended because its higher protein content helps develop gluten, giving the bread a chewier texture and better structure. Using plain flour might result in a denser loaf that’s more prone to tearing.
How do I know if the yeast is active?

When you mix the yeast with lukewarm water, it should start to foam or bubble slightly within 5-10 minutes. If there’s no activity, your yeast might be old or the water too hot or cold, and it’s best to start fresh.
Can I use fresh herbs only in this bread?

Absolutely! Fresh herbs bring a bright flavor, but since the recipe uses a mix of dried and fresh, you can adjust by increasing fresh herbs if you prefer. Just finely chop them for easier spreading.
Is it okay to substitute vegan butter with olive oil in the filling?

While you can use olive oil, vegan butter provides a creamier texture that spreads nicely and holds the filling together. Olive oil might make the filling a bit more runny, so keep that in mind when spreading.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Garlic Herb Bread Recipe is one of those recipes I keep close because it’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for just about any meal or event. Whether you’re new to vegan baking or a seasoned bread maker, this one’s a winner — I promise you’ll enjoy pulling apart those herb-filled layers as much as I do. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to fill your kitchen with the most irresistible garlic herb aroma ever.