The Easiest Pull Apart Bread Recipe
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Experience the epic “cheese pull” with this easy pull apart bread! Imagine a crispy golden loaf that’s soft and fluffy on the inside, loaded with garlic butter and melty cheese. Pull bite-sized pieces off and the mozzarella stretches so gloriously. All you need are 6 ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on time and this mind blowingly delicious treat is yours.
If you’re looking for something new to try, I highly recommend this pull apart bread. It will be the best garlic bread you’ll ever taste, served pull apart style. It’s a breeze to make, looks gorgeous on a party spread, and it’s perfect for a crowd. It’s the kind of dish that you bring to a potluck and everyone wants to know the recipe. It’s a huuuge hit with the kids, too. As amazing as it is, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to turn a simple loaf of bread into this standout centerpiece!
Pull apart garlic bread is not only tasty, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can enjoy it casually at home or serve it at a fancy gathering. Guests will go crazy over it during a weekend brunch, dinner party, or holiday celebration. It also makes a great for-sharing snack for movie night, game day, or whenever you have friends over. I usually make a few loaves ahead so I can just pop one in the oven when I crave some or need something quick and delicious for entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple, everyday ingredients: All you need is bread, cheese, butter, garlic, and parsley to make this recipe. Nothing fancy needed here!
- Insanely delicious: Cheesy, buttery, and garlicky – this pull apart bread has all the classic comforting flavors we all love in a bite.
- Crowd-pleaser: Everyone will love tearing and sharing, making pull apart bread a unique interactive dish that adds fun to meals.
- Customizable: Add your favorite herbs, spices, cheeses, and even meats to make it your own.
- Versatile: Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish that pairs well with almost any meal.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep it in advance, then bake it fresh when you’re ready.
How to Make Pull Apart Bread
Nothing beats quick and easy snacks when you’re hungry or in a pinch. Especially when they’re this good! Just slice your bread, stuff it with cheese and garlic butter, then let your oven do the rest. Try this pull apart cheese bread once and you won’t look at garlic bread the same way ever again.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Loaf of bread: I like using a rustic type like sourdough or boule, but you can use any dense type of bread – they are great at holding up the fillings without getting soggy. Try to find a large, oval-shaped loaf so you have plenty to share!
- Mozzarella cheese: For that wonderful creaminess and stretch! I recommend shredding the cheese yourself, as it melts better than the pre-shredded kind.
- Cheddar cheese: Brings a bold cheesy flavor that pairs beautifully with the mild mozzarella.
- Butter: I use salted butter.
- Garlic cloves: I use fresh, but my friends say roasted garlic also works great.
- Parsley: Used as a garnish that adds a pop of color and a hint of fresh flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making pull apart bread is super simple and totally worth it. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a tasty, filling treat ready in no time. Follow these step-by-step instructions and you’re guaranteed to make perfectly baked, perfectly cheesy snack!
Step 1: Cook
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in the garlic and parsley, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Cut
Next, cut a 1-inch cross-hatch pattern across the bread. Start by slicing the bread from top to bottom on a diagonal. Do not cut all the way through! Rotate the bread 90 degrees and cut the same way again. This second cut will create a perpendicular intersection, forming individual pieces of bread to pull out and eat later.
Step 3: Stuff
Use your fingers to bend and fan out the bread a little while brushing the garlic butter thoroughly through all the cuts. Get into every crack and coat the sides well with butter.
Combine the cheeses together, then stuff all those same cracks with the cheese. If you’re using a bigger-sized loaf, stuff it with extra cheese. Feel free to adjust, depending on your specific size. Brush the top with any remaining butter. Garnish the cheese with additional parsley.
Step 4: Bake
Wrap the loaf in 1-2 sheets of foil, depending on how big it is. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven to unwrap it and then return to bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted. Serve immediately.
Substitutions
Even though this is such a simple recipe, you might be missing one of the key ingredients. No worries – here are easy substitutions you can try:
- Cheddar cheese: If you prefer to use another type of cheese, Monterey jack, Pepper jack, Gouda, Gruyere, or Havarti are all great options.
- Parsley: If you don’t have parsley, substitute with other fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil or oregano.
Variations
Once you’ve nailed this easy pull apart garlic bread, the fun part is getting creative with flavors! You can switch up the ingredients or try new flavor variations to suit your mood or the occasion. I recommend these equally delicious variations:
- My kids like their pull apart bread meaty! Crumbled bacon, diced ham, pepperoni slices, or shredded chicken are all great additions.
- Stuff the loaf with mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and a dash of marinara sauce for a pizza-inspired pull apart bread.
- Combine mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and gouda to make a crazy good four-cheese version.
- Add caramelized onions to the mix for some sweet and savory bites.
- Give it a spicy twist by using pepper jack cheese and adding sliced jalapeños to the mix.
Expert Tips
- Add garnishes after baking: Add extra toppings like a drizzle of balsamic glaze or additional fresh herbs to add a pop of color and flavor right before serving.
- Go easy on wet ingredients: Avoid overloading with ingredients like sauces or oils, as too much liquid can make the bread soggy.
- Use foil for easy cleanup: Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make post-baking cleanup a breeze!
- Serve fresh and hot: Pull apart bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, when the cheeses are perfectly gooey and the bread is warm and crusty. However, let the bread cool slightly before serving to help the cheese set and prevent burns.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer leftover pull apart cheese bread into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe airtight container. Keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Reheat from chilled or frozen in the oven at 350 F for about 15 minutes covered in foil, then 15 minutes more uncovered, or until warmed through.
What to Serve with Pull Apart Bread
Pull apart cheesy bread is filling on its own, but I like to pair it with a side of dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, or pesto for an extra layer of flavor. For a heartier meal, enjoy with a soup or salad, or serve with a pasta dish. It’s also a great addition to charcuterie spreads.
If you make this pull apart bread, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Pull Apart Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 loaf crusty bread a rustic type like sourdough or boule
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the garlic butter:
- 8 tablespoons salted butter 1 stick
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in the garlic and parsley, then remove from heat.
- Cut a 1-inch cross-hatch pattern across the bread. Start by slicing the bread from top to bottom on a diagonal. Do not cut all the way through! Rotate the bread 90 degrees and cut the same way again. This second cut will create a perpendicular intersection, forming individual pieces of bread to pull out and eat later.
- Use your fingers to bend and fan out the bread a little while brushing the garlic butter thoroughly through all the cuts. Get into every crack and coat the sides well with butter.
- Combine the cheeses together, then stuff all those same cracks with the cheese. Brush the top with any remaining butter. Garnish the cheese with additional parsley.
- Wrap the loaf in 1-2 sheets of foil, depending on how big it is. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven to unwrap it and then return to bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add extra toppings like a drizzle of balsamic glaze or additional fresh herbs to add a pop of color and flavor right before serving.
- Avoid overloading with ingredients like sauces or oils, as too much liquid can make the bread soggy.
- Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make post-baking cleanup a breeze!
- Pull apart bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, when the cheeses are perfectly gooey and the bread is warm and crusty. However, let the bread cool slightly before serving to help the cheese set and prevent burns.
