Pull Apart Cheese Bread Recipe

4.75 from 4 votes

Easy pull apart cheese bread made with garlic butter and melty cheese. A warm, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties or game day.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: servings

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!

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.