Description
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread is a deliciously gooey and flavorful appetizer made with a crusty round loaf filled with garlic butter and a blend of melted cheeses. Perfect for sharing, this easy-to-make bread is ideal for parties, game days, or as a comforting snack that combines the irresistible flavors of garlic, parsley, mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 crusty round loaf (large, sourdough or Italian bread)
Garlic Butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced, or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, or more)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded, or provolone as optional mix for extra flavor)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated, for finishing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil and lightly greasing it or spraying with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Bread: Place the crusty round loaf on a cutting board. Using a sharp bread knife, make deep diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart, cutting almost to the bottom but not all the way through. Turn the loaf 90 degrees and repeat to create a crosshatch pattern of squares.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, finely chopped fresh parsley, and kosher salt to create a flavorful garlic butter mixture.
- Fill the Bread: Carefully open the cracks created by the crosshatch cuts in the bread and brush the garlic butter evenly into all crevices, ensuring the flavors penetrate every section.
- Stuff with Cheese: Generously stuff shredded mozzarella and cheddar (or provolone) cheese into all the gaps and cuts to ensure maximum cheesiness.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the stuffed loaf loosely in foil and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese begins to melt thoroughly.
- Uncover and Crisp: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 5–7 minutes, or until the top turns golden and crisp, giving a delightful texture.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the baked bread with grated Parmesan cheese and a little extra fresh parsley for garnish. Serve warm and enjoy pulling apart cheesy, garlicky bread pieces.
Notes
- Use a sharp serrated knife for clean bread cuts to avoid squashing the loaf.
- Adjust garlic quantity to taste for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
- For a richer flavor, mix cheddar and provolone cheeses but feel free to use all mozzarella if preferred.
- Ensure the foil is wrapped loosely to allow some steam to escape, preventing sogginess.
- This bread is best served fresh out of the oven for optimal gooeyness and crispness.
