This Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread is a store-bought loaf of sourdough or Italian bread filled with garlic parsley butter, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The top bakes crisp while the inside stays soft and buttery, with melted cheese in every cut. It takes 30 minutes, and I make it for parties and for pasta night.
If you like my Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, you’ll like this one too.
You slice a loaf of bread in a crisscross pattern without cutting through the bottom, spoon garlic butter into every cut, and stuff the cuts with mozzarella and Parmesan. It bakes in foil for 15 minutes, then uncovered for 5 more, until the cheese is melted and the top is crisp.
You can fill and wrap it up to a day ahead and bake it straight from the fridge. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ready in only 30 minutes.
- Easy to share at parties, since everyone pulls off their own piece.
- Uses simple ingredients you may already have.
➡️ Ingredients
⏲ How to make this cheesy garlic pull apart bread recipe
This is an overview of the recipe’s instructions. The full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pull out and set aside a baking sheet and aluminum foil.
- Slice Bread: Place the loaf of bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart across the top of the bread, being careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom. Turn bread and make diagonal cuts in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern.
Recipe Tip: A serrated knife will help you slice through the bread cleanly without crushing it.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: To a small bowl, add the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Set bread atop a large piece of aluminum foil atop a baking sheet. Then, using a spoon, spoon the garlic butter mixture into all the cuts in the bread, ensuring it gets into all crevices.
- Add Cheese: Stuff shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan into all the cuts, distributing evenly.
- Wrap Bread: Wrap bread in aluminum foil. Tear off and use additional aluminum foil as needed to ensure the bread is completely covered.
- Bake Bread: Place wrapped bread on a baking sheet, transfer the baking sheet to the oven, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Unwrap and Crisp: Carefully unwrap the foil from the top of the bread and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bread cool slightly before serving. Pull apart pieces to enjoy.
👉 Ingredient substitution suggestions
- Bread: Try a baguette or a ciabatta loaf for a different texture.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Use sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Asiago or Pecorino Romano will work.
- Minced Garlic: Go with roasted garlic if you prefer a milder flavor. Alternatively, use 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Butter: Olive oil can work as a substitute, though it will change the flavor slightly.
✨ Variations
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
- Cheese Blend: Swap out the mozzarella and use a mix of provolone, gouda, and fontina.
- Truffle: Add a drizzle of truffle oil before serving for an earthy, savory finish.
〰️ How to serve
- Pair with: Beer cheese dip, marinara sauce, creamy Italian sausage soup, or a fresh side salad.
- Bread Basket: Add this to a bread basket with crusty rolls, garlic knots, and pretzel bites.
- Appetizer Platter: Serve alongside bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, sausage balls with cream cheese, and stuffed mushrooms.
- Pasta Night: Serve with creamy chicken orzo pasta, smoked mac and cheese, baked ravioli, or ground turkey pasta recipe.
💬 FAQs
How can I make this ahead of time?
To make this ahead of time, prepare the bread with garlic butter and cheese, then wrap it tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, follow the same instructions and bake directly from the fridge. You may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
How should I store leftovers?
Wrap any leftovers in foil and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the bread in the oven at 350 degrees F until warm. You can also microwave it, but it may be softer than if it’s reheated in the oven.
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- 7-Layer Dip – Pile every layer on your chip.
- Bacon-Wrapped Pickle Bites – Crispy bacon around a tangy pickle.
- Buffalo Deviled Eggs – Creamy filling with a spicy kick.
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Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (14 ounces) store-bought bread, (like sourdough or Italian)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or 3 teaspoons jarred minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pull out and set aside a baking sheet and aluminum foil.
- Slice Bread: Place loaf of bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart across top of bread, being careful not to cut all the way through to bottom. Turn bread and make diagonal cuts in opposite direction to create a diamond pattern.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: To a small bowl, add melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Set bread atop a large piece of aluminum foil atop a baking sheet. Then, using a spoon, spoon garlic butter mixture into all the cuts in bread, ensuring it gets into all crevices.
- Add Cheese: Stuff shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan into all the cuts, distributing evenly.
- Wrap Bread: Wrap bread in aluminum foil. Tear off and use additional aluminum foil as needed to ensure the bread is completely covered.
- Bake Bread: Place wrapped bread on a baking sheet, transfer baking sheet to oven, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Unwrap and Crisp: Carefully unwrap foil from top of bread and bake for additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Pull apart pieces to enjoy.
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