Cheesy pull-apart bread is made by slathering garlic, butter and cheese into a crusty loaf of bread to make for an intensely flavorful appetizer to enjoy at any party!
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This cheesy pull apart bread recipe takes regular garlic bread to a whole new level. Cutting the bread into diamonds not only makes it easier for everyone to tear off a bite, it ensures that each piece of bread is loaded with garlic butter and cheese.
From the aromatic garlic to the gooey, stretchy cheese, this pull apart bread won’t last very long at your next party. It’s simple to make, but doesn’t skip out on taste. Be warned, once you bring this scrumptious cheesy pull apart bread to the table, you may have to make it way more often!
Ingredients You Need
- Bread: Sourdough or French bread work best in this recipe. Any plain crusty loaf of bread will work. Try using this homemade beer bread.
- Butter: use salted butter for the best results. Feel free to use unsalted if you’re watching your sodium intake.
- Garlic: brings a ton of flavor and aroma to the bread. Use more or less depending on your preference.
- Salt: amplifies the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Cheddar Cheese: shredded cheese is best, but shred it yourself as pre-grated cheese does not melt well.
- Mozzarella Cheese: low-moisture shredded mozzarella is best, but shred it yourself as pre-grated cheese does not melt well.
- Parsley: gives a nice earthiness to round out all the rich flavors.
How to Make Cheesy Pull Apart Bread
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with a large piece of tinfoil.
Place the bread on a cutting board and cut the top into 1” inch squares to form a criss-cross pattern. Don’t cut all the way through the bread.
Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the garlic and salt and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Remove the butter from the heat and pour it evenly into all the cuts of the bread. Mix the cheeses together and pack it into all the cuts of bread.
Place the bread on the tin foil and wrap it into a package. Use another piece of foil to cover the top, if necessary.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the top piece of foil, or open the packet. Bake an additional 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden on top.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
Substitutions & Variations
- Garlic: use a mix of garlic and onion powder if that’s what you have on hand. Fresh garlic will taste better, but garlic powder works great in a pinch.
- Cheese: stick with hard cheeses that melt easily. Some cheeses that work in this recipe are Monterey Jack, Fontina and Swiss cheese.
- Green: mix the chopped parsley with some thinly sliced green onions. It will add a nice onion taste while adding another pop of color to the pull apart bread.
- Meaty: want a bit of protein? Add in some chopped up bacon, pepperoni or sausage.
- Spicy: sprinkle in some crushed red chili flakes or diced jalapenos for heat.
Questions About the Recipe
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! To make this recipe ahead of time, use softened butter instead of melted butter. The rest of the steps are the same. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil and refrigerate until you are ready to bake it.
How should I store leftovers?
This cheesy pull apart bread tastes just as good the next day as it does fresh. If you have leftovers, let them cool completely, then wrap them in aluminum foil.
Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready to enjoy the bread again, remove the foil and microwave the bread for about 2 minutes. It may take less time depending on how much bread you are reheating.
Additional Tips
- Use a serrated knife to cut the shapes into the bread. This will make cutting easier and give you better lines.
- If you are preparing the cheesy pull apart bread ahead of time, add an extra 3-5 minutes to the baking time.
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Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
Cheesy pull apart bread is made by slathering garlic, butter and cheese into a crusty loaf of bread to make for an intensely flavorful appetizer to enjoy at any party!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough or French bread
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with a large piece of tinfoil.
- Place the bread on a cutting board and cut the top into 1” inch squares to form a criss-cross pattern. Don’t cut all the way through the bread.
- Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the garlic and salt and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Remove the butter from the heat and pour it evenly into all the cuts of the bread. Mix the cheeses together and pack it into all the cuts of bread.
- Place the bread on the tin foil and wrap it into a package. Use another piece of foil to cover the top, if necessary.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the top piece of foil, or open the packet. Bake an additional 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden on top.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.