Introduction

Cheesy Garlic Bliss Pull-Apart Bread is a warm, savory treat perfect for sharing. Soft, flavorful dough is layered with garlic butter, melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh herbs for an irresistible appetizer or snack.

A loaf of sandwich bread cut into thick slices almost all the way through, filled generously with a creamy white cheese mixed with green herbs in each slice. The cheese is melted, gooey, and slightly browned on top, showing a bubbly and golden texture. The bread crust is deep brown and looks crunchy, contrasting with the soft, white inside. The loaf is on a wooden board with some fresh green herbs sprinkled around and on top. The background is soft and blurred with some green plants. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, active dry yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.
Step 2: In a separate cup, whisk the warm water with olive oil. Gradually add this to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 4: While the dough rises, mix the softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle about 12×16 inches.
Step 6: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
Step 7: Cut the dough into strips about 2 inches wide. Stack the strips, then cut the stack into 2-inch squares.
Step 8: Place the squares into a greased loaf pan, stacking them upright so the cheese and garlic layers show between pieces.
Step 9: Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. If the crust browns too fast, tent loosely with foil.
Step 10: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving warm. Pull apart and enjoy the gooey, garlicky goodness!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture.
Substitute fresh basil or oregano for parsley to vary the herb flavor.
Use a combination of cheeses such as cheddar or gouda for a different cheesy twist.
Brush the top with extra butter and sprinkle with garlic powder before baking for a more intense garlic crust.

Storage

Store leftover pull-apart bread covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness and melted cheese texture.

How to Serve

A round loaf of bread is cut into many square sections on a dark baking tray, the top layer is golden brown and crispy, while inside there are melted white cheese layers mixed with bits of green herbs, showing stringy cheese pulling between the sections. The bread has a soft, fluffy texture under the crust, and the herbs add specks of green all over. The photo is taken from above and the edges of the tray show some toasted crumbs and scattered herb leaves on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it. Let it come to room temperature and rise before assembling the bread.

What can I serve with cheesy garlic pull-apart bread?

It pairs well with soups, salads, or as a flavorful snack on its own. Marinara sauce or a creamy dip also makes a great accompaniment.

Cheesy Garlic Bliss Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 129 reviews

This Cheesy Garlic Bliss Pull-Apart Bread is a delightful, savory treat featuring a soft, homemade yeast dough studded with melted mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and fragrant garlic butter. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this pull-apart bread is an irresistible appetizer or side that’s easy to share and sure to impress guests with its gooey, flavorful layers.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings) 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Filling Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Preparing the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 package active dry yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt, stirring to blend the dry ingredients evenly. In a separate cup, whisk together 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C) and 2 tablespoons olive oil until combined. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm place for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Garlic Butter Mixture: While the dough is rising, soften ½ cup unsalted butter and mix it with minced garlic, chopped parsley, and smoked paprika. Set this flavorful garlic butter aside for later use.
Shaping and Assembling the Bread: After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 12×16 inches. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1.5 to 2-inch squares but do not cut all the way through. Layer each cut square generously with the garlic butter mixture, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese between the layers, ensuring the flavors are evenly distributed. Carefully transfer the assembled dough into a greased loaf pan or a round baking dish.
Baking the Pull-Apart Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the loaf pan into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. If the bread crust darkens too fast, loosely tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the inside finishes baking.
Serving: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm, pulling apart the soft, cheesy pieces to enjoy a gooey, garlic-infused delight perfect for sharing.

Notes

Ensure the water temperature is around 110°F (43°C) to activate the yeast without killing it.
For a stronger garlic flavor, you can sauté the garlic lightly in butter before mixing it into the softened butter.
This bread is best served warm but can be reheated in the oven wrapped in foil to retain moisture.
You can substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses like fontina or provolone for variation.
Fresh parsley can be replaced with dried parsley if fresh is not available, but use half the quantity.

Keywords: cheesy garlic bread, pull-apart bread, garlic butter bread, mozzarella bread, easy appetizer, party bread