Introduction

Oh, the memories! There’s something so comforting about a warm, garlicky, cheesy bread, isn’t there? It’s the kind of thing that brings people together, whether it’s for a casual weeknight dinner, a lively game night, or even just a cozy afternoon treat. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s become a total go-to in my kitchen: Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread. Seriously, it’s ridiculously easy to make and the results are just chef’s kiss amazing. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone you share it with!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: With minimal prep, you can have this deliciousness in the oven in no time.
Easy: Even if you’re new to baking, you can totally nail this one.
Giftable: Bake it up in a cute loaf pan and it makes a fantastic homemade gift!
Crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love cheesy garlic bread? It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this magical bread. It’s all pretty standard stuff you might even have in your pantry already!

16 oz loaf of frozen or refrigerated bread dough: This is your secret weapon for ease! I usually go for the refrigerated kind for a quicker start, but frozen works perfectly if you remember to thaw it.
½ cup salted butter, melted: Butter is life, and melted butter is the key to coating every single morsel.
½ – 1 tsp Italian seasoning: This little blend of herbs adds so much flavor without much effort. You can adjust it to your liking!
2-3 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is always best for that pungent, irresistible aroma.
2-3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty, and oh-so-cheesy. Don’t skimp on this!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our hands a little doughy and create some magic!

Prep Your Dough: First things first, you need to get your bread dough ready. If you’re using frozen dough, make sure to thaw it according to the package directions. Then, let it rise until it’s nice and puffy. If you’re using refrigerated dough, just let it sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes to make it more pliable.
Preheat Your Oven: Get your oven all warmed up to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature to get that beautiful golden-brown crust.
Mix Up the Flavor Bomb: In a small bowl, combine your melted butter, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a really good stir. This is where all the deliciousness happens!
Cut the Dough: Take your lovely, risen bread dough and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. This makes them perfect for pulling apart later!
Get Coated: Now for the fun part! Take each piece of dough and dip it into the butter mixture. Make sure each little piece is thoroughly coated. I like to use a spoon or my hands (clean, of course!) to really get them all covered in that garlicky, cheesy goodness.
Arrange in the Pan: Grab a greased loaf pan (or any oven-safe dish you like) and arrange the coated dough pieces inside. You can layer them or just pack them in – it all works!
Bake to Perfection: Pop that loaf pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden-brown color and a nice, cooked-through center.

Substitutions & Additions

Want to jazz things up or need to swap an ingredient? I’ve got you covered!

Herbs: Feel free to add other dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary to your butter mixture. Fresh chopped parsley stirred in after baking is also divine!
Cheese: If you don’t have Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend of your favorite cheeses will also be delicious.
Spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice little kick for those who like it spicy.
Garlic: If you’re a serious garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove or two!

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make your Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread absolutely perfect:

Don’t Over-Proof: Make sure your dough doesn’t over-proof, or it might get a bit too airy and collapse during baking. Follow package instructions closely!
Even Coating: Try to coat each piece of dough as evenly as possible for consistent flavor in every bite.
Check for Doneness: Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on your bread. If the top is getting too brown before the inside is cooked, you can loosely tent it with foil.
Prep Ahead: You can cut the dough and mix the butter mixture a few hours ahead of time. Keep them separate in the fridge, then assemble and bake when ready.

How to Store It

Leftovers (if there are any!) are a treasure. Store any cooled bread in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage; just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Reheat gently in the oven or toaster oven to bring back that fresh-baked goodness.

FAQs

Here are a few common questions I get about this recipe:

Can I use homemade bread dough?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade bread dough recipe, feel free to use that instead of store-bought.

What kind of pan is best?

A standard 9×5 inch loaf pan works great, but you can also use a round cake pan or even a square baking dish.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough pieces and the butter mixture separately a few hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve.

How do I reheat it?

The best way to reheat is in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also use a toaster oven!

Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread

A ridiculously easy and delicious cheesy pull-apart garlic bread that's perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to game nights or even as a gift.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

Loaf pan or any oven-safe dish
Small bowl
Oven
Spoon optional, for coating

Ingredients

Hauptzutaten

16 oz frozen or refrigerated bread dough thawed if frozen, let refrigerated dough sit at room temp for 15-30 minutes to be pliable
0.5 cup salted butter melted
0.75 tsp Italian seasoning adjust to taste
2.5 cloves garlic minced
2.5 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prep Your Dough: If using frozen dough, thaw according to package directions. Let it rise until puffy. If using refrigerated dough, let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to become pliable.
Preheat Your Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix Up the Flavor Bomb: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well.
16 oz frozen or refrigerated bread dough
Cut the Dough: Cut the risen bread dough into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
16 oz frozen or refrigerated bread dough
Get Coated: Dip each piece of dough into the butter mixture, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
16 oz frozen or refrigerated bread dough
Arrange in the Pan: Place the coated dough pieces into a greased loaf pan or other oven-safe dish.
16 oz frozen or refrigerated bread dough
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add other dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary to the butter mixture. Shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend of cheeses can be used instead of Parmesan. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a spicy kick. If you love garlic, add an extra clove.