Transform a Loaf of Bread into Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread in Just 15 Minutes!
Turn an ordinary loaf of crusty bread into a sensational Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread with just five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep! Stuffed with gooey mozzarella and infused with herbed garlic butter, this recipe has quickly become one of my family’s all-time favorites for enjoying garlic bread.
Whether you’re serving it as a snack on game day, a weekend appetizer, or as a side to your favorite Italian-inspired dinners, this bread is guaranteed to please. It’s versatile enough to be baked in the oven or crisped up in the air fryer, giving you perfect results every time.
Ingredients for Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
This recipe comes together with just five simple ingredients:
- Crusty Bread Loaf
Choose a sourdough, rustic Italian, or French boule loaf weighing 14 to 16 ounces. This size pairs perfectly with the cheese and garlic butter proportions in the recipe. If your loaf is larger or smaller, adjust the quantities accordingly.
Tip: If you’re using an air fryer, ensure the loaf fits into the basket, trimming the ends if needed. I’ve had great success using Costco’s Country French Bread. - Melted Salted Butter
For the best flavor, opt for European-style butter like Kerrygold or Plugra. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt to the garlic butter mixture. - Minced Garlic
Use two large cloves (about 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons). If you prefer a stronger or milder garlic flavor, this recipe is easily customizable to your taste. - Chopped Fresh Herbs
Add your favorite fresh herbs! I love using a combination of rosemary and Italian parsley for a burst of flavor. - Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
For that irresistible cheesy pull, mozzarella is a must! You can also mix in other Italian cheeses like Fontina, Provolone, or Asiago for extra depth. BelGioioso’s 4 Cheese Shred is a personal favorite in my household.
Tip: Shred soft cheeses like mozzarella more easily by chilling the block in the freezer for 15 minutes before grating.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
Making this pull-apart bread is straightforward, but a few tips will ensure the best results. A sharp, serrated bread knife is essential for cutting the loaf into a neat crisscross pattern without squishing or tearing it. I highly recommend the Mercer Culinary Millennia 10-inch bread knife—it’s sharp, easy to handle, and versatile.
Step 1: Cutting the Loaf
- Use your serrated knife to make diagonal slices, 3/4 to 1 inch apart, across the top of the loaf. Be careful not to slice all the way through—leave about a half-inch of uncut bread at the base.
- Rotate the loaf and make diagonal slices in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern.
Step 2: Assembling the Bread
- Mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped herbs in a bowl.
- Gently open the cuts in the bread and use a spoon to drizzle the garlic-herb butter into every slice.
- Stuff each cut with shredded mozzarella (and other cheeses if desired). Brush any remaining garlic butter over the top for an extra-crispy crust.
Cooking Options
Air Fryer Method
The air fryer is perfect for making this bread extra crispy in less time!
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the stuffed loaf in the basket (cut to fit, if needed).
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden.
- Use oven mitts and two spatulas to carefully remove the hot loaf from the air fryer.
Note: Air fryer cooking times may vary, so keep an eye on your bread during the first attempt.
Oven Method
For those without an air fryer, the oven works wonderfully:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Wrap the loaf in foil and place it on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then unwrap and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
Serving and Enjoying Your Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
This bread is best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer or oven while the cheese is hot and melty. Simply pull apart the bread cubes with your fingers and dig in! Be sure to have napkins on hand for this deliciously messy treat.
Once all the bread cubes are gone, don’t toss the base—it’s soaked with flavorful garlic butter! Slice it up with your bread knife and enjoy every last bite.
Whether you’re serving this bread as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Buon appetito!
Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
Stuffed with flavorful garlic herb butter and gooey melted cheese, this Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread is the ultimate appetizer, snack, or side dish. Perfect for Game Day, it can be made in an air fryer or standard oven with ease!
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
35 minutes
Servings:
4 to 6 people
Ingredients
- 1 loaf crusty bread (14–16 ounces), such as sourdough, Italian, or a French boule*
- 8 tablespoons salted butter, melted**
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, rosemary, or a combination
- 1 to 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese*
Instructions
Assemble the Bread
- Using a sharp serrated bread knife, cut the loaf into diagonal slices, 3/4 to 1 inch apart, stopping about 1/2 inch from the bottom (do not cut all the way through).
- Turn the loaf and cut across in the opposite direction, creating a crisscross pattern. Be sure to leave the base intact.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, and herbs.
- Gently separate the bread slices with your fingertips and spoon the garlic-herb butter evenly into each crevice. Brush any remaining butter over the top of the loaf.
- Stuff shredded cheese between the slices, ensuring even distribution. If some spills out, don’t worry—it’ll crisp up beautifully.
To Air Fry
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the stuffed loaf into the air fryer basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Air fryer times may vary, so monitor closely during the first attempt.
To Bake
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Wrap the loaf in foil and place it on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Unwrap the loaf and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the bread is hot, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
To Eat
Serve immediately while the bread is warm and the cheese is gooey. Pull apart the bread cubes and enjoy! Once the cubes are gone, slice the garlic butter-soaked base with a serrated knife—it’s a hidden treasure!
Notes
- If using an air fryer, ensure the loaf fits the basket. Trim ends if needed.
- For unsalted butter, add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the melted butter, to taste.
- **Customize the cheese by mixing mozzarella with other Italian melting cheeses like Fontina, Provolone, or Asiago. BelGioioso’s Italian 4-Cheese Shred is an excellent choice.
- 1 cup cheese: Regular cheesy
- 1-1/2 cups (or more): Extra cheesy
Nutrition Estimate
- Serving: 1/6 loaf
- Calories: 384kcal
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 593mg
- Potassium: 109mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Vitamin A: 610IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 130mg
- Iron: 3mg