Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread Is the Appetizer Everyone Will Be Talking About

This Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread is perfect for sharing and ready in 30 minutes. Great as a party appetizer or as a side dish for family pasta night.

If you’re a fan of Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, this one will be right up your alley.

Photo byReal Balanced

It’s as simple as slicing a loaf of bread, loading it up with homemade garlic butter, and stuffing it with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake it until it’s crispy, then just pull apart and enjoy those melty, cheesy bites.

Serve it at your next get-together, or make it for a cozy night in. This bread keeps well in the fridge, so you can even enjoy the leftovers the next day.

Photo byReal Balanced

💛 Why you'll love this recipe

• Ready in only 30 minutes.
• Perfect for parties — easy to share.
• Uses simple ingredients you may already have.

➡️ Ingredients

Photo byReal Balanced

⏲ 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.

Photo byReal Balanced

• 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.

Photo byReal Balanced

• Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bread cool slightly before serving. Pull apart pieces to enjoy.

Photo byReal Balanced

👉 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

• Herb Butter: Mix in some dried rosemary, dried thyme, or oregano for extra flavor.
• 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 a little extra something.

〰️ 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.

💬 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.

📚 More appetizer recipes

• Beer Cheese Dip
• Loaded Tater Tots
• Jalapeño Cranberry Dip
• Whipped Feta with Honey Dip
• Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

🍽 Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 loaf (14 ounces) storebought 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

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pull out and set aside a baking sheet and aluminum foil.
2. 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.
3. Prepare Garlic Butter: To a small bowl, add melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix.
4. 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.
5. Add Cheese: Stuff shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan into all the cuts, distributing evenly.
6. Wrap Bread: Wrap bread in aluminum foil. Tear off and use additional aluminum foil as needed to ensure the bread is completely covered.
7. Bake Bread: Place wrapped bread on a baking sheet, transfer baking sheet to oven, and bake for 15 minutes.
8. 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.
9. Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Pull apart pieces to enjoy.

Notes

To Make In Advance: 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.

Refrigerator Storage: Wrap any leftovers in foil and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheating Instructions: 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.