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Pull apart cheese bread is an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer made with crusty bread, melty cheese, and rich garlic butter. The loaf is sliced so you can pull apart each piece, then baked until golden, crisp on the edges, and soft in the center. I use a mix of cheeses for the best flavor, and that irresistible stretch, and the garlic butter soaks into every bite to take it over the top.
It doesn’t really get any better than garlicky, cheesy bread. My family loves cheesy garlic bread, and this pull-apart cheesy bread has become my easier way to satisfy those cravings without any extra fuss. I pull this recipe out at Easter, for game days, or pizza nights in. Wow, does it go fast. With a cheesy, garlicky bread this good, it’s pretty impossible to not go back for more.
What really makes this version stand out is how easy it is to transform a simple crusty loaf into something that feels special. I use a mix of cheeses for the best melt and flavor, then work the garlic butter deep into the bread so it soaks into every bite. The key is slicing the loaf evenly without cutting all the way through, then gently separating the pieces to tuck the cheese throughout instead of just piling it on top.
Tips for Beginners
- Choose a sturdy, crusty loaf. I like using a dense bread like sourdough or Italian because it holds its shape when sliced and stuffed, and it soaks up the garlic butter without turning soggy.
- Slice deeply, but don’t cut through. Cut the loaf in a grid pattern, stopping just before the bottom so everything stays intact and easy to pull apart.
- Gently open the cuts before filling. Use your fingers to slightly separate the slices so you can tuck the cheese and garlic butter deeper into the loaf instead of letting it sit on top.
- Distribute the cheese evenly throughout. Add cheese into each cut, not just across the surface, so every piece is melty and flavorful instead of uneven.
- Cover first, then finish uncovered. I always cover the loaf at the start so the cheese melts and the inside warms through, then uncover it at the end to get those golden, slightly crisp edges.
Pull Apart Cheese Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 loaf crusty bread
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded fontina cheese
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, stir the butter, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes together.½ cup unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Being careful not to slice all the way through the bread, use a bread knife to cut it into a 1-inch grid pattern. Slice strips in one direction and then rotate 90 degrees and slice strips in the other direction.1 loaf crusty bread
- Brush the garlic butter into all of the cracks.
- Stuff the cheese in between the slices.1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup freshly shredded fontina cheese
- Wrap the bread in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Unwrap and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Serve immediately!
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- Switch up the cheese: Mozzarella gives you that classic stretch, but you can mix in cheddar for a sharper flavor, Monterey Jack for extra melt, or provolone for a mild, creamy bite. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds a nice salty finish.
- Add a savory mix-in: Tuck in cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, or pepperoni slices between the cuts for a heartier, pizza-style variation.
- Use a gluten-free loaf if needed: This recipe works well with a sturdy gluten-free bread. Just make sure it’s firm enough to hold its shape when sliced and stuffed. You can also use homemade bread.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Pull Apart Cheese Bread Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Make the garlic butter: In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup melted unsalted butter, 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes until well combined.
Slice the bread: Using a bread knife, carefully cut 1 loaf of crusty bread into a 1-inch grid pattern, slicing in one direction and then rotating and slicing the other way. Be sure not to cut all the way through so the loaf stays intact.
Add the garlic butter: Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly into all of the cuts, making sure to get it deep into the loaf. Stuff 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup freshly shredded fontina cheese evenly between the slices, tucking it into each cut.
Bake wrapped: Wrap the loaf in foil, place it on a baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Bake again, unwrapped: Unwrap the bread and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are lightly golden. Serve immediately.
Serve and enjoy: Serve warm, pull apart, and enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Let the pull apart cheese bread cool completely before storing. Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through so the bread stays soft and the cheese melts evenly—avoid the microwave, as it can make the texture rubbery. To freeze, wrap the loaf tightly in foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this pull apart cheese bread as an easy appetizer for parties or holidays, especially when I need something warm and crowd-pleasing. It also pairs perfectly with cozy, comforting meals. I’ll serve it alongside Italian stuffed shells to scoop up all that extra sauce, or with a bowl of Crockpot stuffed pepper soup for something hearty and satisfying. If I already have a loaf of my no knead Dutch oven bread on hand, this is one of my favorite ways to use it up. I’ll usually add a side of marinara sauce for dipping to make it feel even more like a cheesy, pull-apart version of garlic bread.
More Recipes with Garlic Butter and Melty Cheese
- Garlic Pull Apart Rolls: Soft, fluffy pull-apart rolls made from scratch with garlic butter. A great option if you want the same pull-apart concept but with a homemade bread base.
- Garlic Butter Parmesan Fries: Garlic Parmesan fries bring the same garlicky, cheesy flavor you love in this pull apart bread, but in a crispy, bite-sized form. Tossed in a savory garlic butter and finished with Parmesan, they’re an easy side or appetizer that hits those same rich, comforting notes.
- Garlic Bread Pizza: Garlic bread pizza uses the same garlic butter and cheesy base, but adds sauce and toppings for a more pizza-style twist. It’s a great option if you love the flavors of this pull apart bread and want something a little more filling.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS I LOVE IT