Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey, Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread. With every piece you pull away, the mouthwatering aroma of garlic and melted cheese envelops your senses, it's irresistibly delicious.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Flavors - the marriage of garlic, butter, and cheese creates an explosion of flavors that will leave you wanting more.
- Versatile - can be served as an appetizer, snack, or even as a side dish for soups, stews, or pasta.
- Easy to Make -while it looks fancy, it's surprisingly simple, with no pre-baking required - can use store-bought loaf of bread
- Fun to Share - an interactive and fun dish that encourages everyone to tear off a piece
Ingredients
- Loaf of Bread - unsliced, sourdough or
- Garlic Butter - garlic, butter, oregano
- Cheese - mozzarella and parmesan
- Chili Flakes - optional but adds spice
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
The hardest part of this Cheesy Pull Apart Bread is cutting the bread diagonally. If you go slowly, starting the cut on one end and following through to the other end, it won't tear apart. If it does, thats ok, just stuff it with cheese, which will keep it in place as it melts. This is an easy wow factor for a meal, one that everyone will love.
- Prepare - preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Make Garlic Butter - mix together butter, garlic parsley and oregano.
- Slice Bread - using a serrated knife, cut a diagonal pattern in the bread about 1" (2.5cm) apart. Slice all the way down to the bottom, without cutting through the base of the loaf. The base of loaf should be intact.
- Spread Garlic Butter - spread the garlic butter mixture generously between the cuts of the bread, ensuring it reaches all the way to the bottom.
- Add Cheese - sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly in-between and over the top of the bread, make sure to get it inside the cuts. Sprinkle with chili flakes (optional).
- Foil - loosely cover with foil to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.
- Bake - place the bread loaf on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Cool - carefully transfer the cheesy bread loaf to a serving platter or cutting board. Allow the loaf to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve - best enjoyed warm, allowing your guests to pull apart the slices and enjoy the gooey cheese and flavorful garlic butter.
Pull-Apart Bread Variations
While the classic cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is a winner, you can also experiment with different fillings and flavors. Here are a few variations to consider:
- Spicy Jalapeno and Cheddar - add diced jalapenos and shredded cheddar cheese to give your bread a kick of heat.
- Mediterranean Twist - mix through feta cheese, black olives, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired bread.
- Pizza Pull-Apart Bread - add your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, bacon, and mushrooms with a bit of pizza sauce to create a pizza-lover's dream.
Best Bread for Pull Apart Bread
The best type of bread for cheesy pull-apart bread is one that is sturdy enough to hold the cheese filling but also soft and fluffy on the inside. Here are a few bread options that work well for making cheesy pull-apart bread:
- Sourdough - Sourdough bread offers a tangy flavor and a chewy texture. It can provide a unique twist to the traditional cheesy pull-apart bread.
- Italian Bread - Ciabatta or Italian loaf, are excellent options. They have a slightly chewy texture with a soft interior, perfect for holding the cheese filling.
- Pullman Loaf - known as sandwich bread or pain de mie, is a square-shaped bread with a fine texture. It has a soft and tender crumb, making it ideal for creating pull-apart bread.
- French Baguette - a classic choice for pull-apart bread, a French baguette has a crisp crust and a soft, airy interior, which creates a delightful contrast with the gooey cheese filling.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Customize the Herbs - experiment with different herbs and spices in the garlic butter, such as rosemary, thyme, or basil, to suit your taste preferences.
- Cheeses - get creative by using different cheeses like cheddar, Gruyere, or Swiss cheese.
- Serve Fresh and Warm - cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is best enjoyed straight from the oven when the cheese is gooey and the bread is still warm.
Can I Prepare the Bread in Advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and assemble it in advance. Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. Allow the bread to come to room temperature before baking.
How to Prevent the Bread From Becoming Soggy?
Ensure that any added ingredients like vegetables or meats are fully cooked and drained of excess moisture before incorporating them into the filling. Avoid overloading the bread with too much filling as it can make the bread soggy.
Storage and Reheating
Allow the bread to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and maintain its texture.
- Fridge - wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or a Ziploc bag to protect it from air and moisture. Ensure that all sides are covered to maintain freshness. Refrigerate and enjoy within 3 days.
- Countertop - Keep the wrapped bread at room temperature if you plan to consume it within the next day.
- Freezer - Wrap it tightly in multiple layers of aluminum foil or place it in an airtight freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Freeze up to 1 month, thaw at room temp for a few hours before reheating.
- Reheating - Reheat the bread for about 10-15 minutes at 350°F/180°C, until it's heated through and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Recipes to Serve with Cheesy Pull Apart Bread
- Meaty Chorizo Lasagna
- Minestrone Vegetable Soup
- Seafood Lasagna
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- Easy Tortellini Soup
- Pumpkin and Leek Soup
- Hungarian Goulash Soup
- Cheeseburger Gnocchi
- Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
So, gather your ingredients, embrace the heavenly aroma, and indulge in this mouthwatering delight! Whether you're serving it as a side dish, anappetizer or enjoying it as a snack, this recipe is sure to have everyone fighting for the last piece. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of unsliced bread
- ½ cup of butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 2 cups mozzarella shredded
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Prepare Garlic Butter by mixing together butter, garlic parsley and oregano.
- Using a serrated knife, cut a diagonal pattern in the bread about 1" (2.5cm) apart. Slice all the way down to the bottom, without cutting through the base of the loaf. The base of loaf should be intact.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture generously between the cuts of the bread, ensuring it reaches all the way to the bottom.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly in-between and over the top of the bread, make sure to get it inside the cuts. Sprinkle with chili flakes (optional).
- Loosely cover with foil to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.
- Place foiled bread loaf on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Carefully transfer the cheesy bread loaf to a serving platter or cutting board. Allow the loaf to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, pull part the slices and en joy the gooey cheese and garlic bread.
Notes
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted June 2015, updated May 2023
