The Irresistible Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Recipe Everyone Loves

Warm, golden bread studded with cheesy pull-apart garlic goodness beckons from the kitchen counter.

Melted cheese and aromatic garlic create an irresistible combination that makes taste buds dance.

Each slice promises a delightful blend of crispy edges and soft, buttery interior.

garlic lovers will swoon over this simple yet decadent side dish.

The recipe transforms ordinary bread into a crowd-pleasing sensation everyone craves.

Perfectly seasoned and incredibly easy to make, this bread elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll want to save this mouthwatering recipe for your next gathering.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread That’s Irresistible

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Ingredients for Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

• Bread Flour: A high-protein flour that provides strong gluten structure for a chewy texture.
• Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to the bread.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
• Instant Yeast: Provides leavening and helps the dough rise beautifully.

• Bread Flour, Milk: Creates a pre-cooked mixture that makes the bread softer and more tender.

• Milk, Cream Cheese, Egg: Add moisture, richness, and help create a tender crumb.
• Butter: Provides a rich flavor and helps create a soft, luxurious texture.

• Garlic, Butter, Parsley, Salt: Create a flavorful and aromatic garlic butter spread.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a delicious, melty cheese layer that creates irresistible pull-apart strands.

• Olive Oil, Flaky Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the roasted garlic's flavor and add depth to the dish.
• Egg Wash: Gives the bread a beautiful golden-brown color and shine.

Steps for Making Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread

Step 1: Prepare Tangzhong Magic

Create a smooth mixture by whisking bread flour and milk in a small pot. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the mixture transforms into a thick, pudding-like paste.

Remove from heat and let it cool completely, covering the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

• Bread flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Instant yeast
• Prepared tangzhong
• Milk
• Cream cheese
• Egg

Knead the mixture for 10 minutes until it starts to come together.

Step 3: Add Butter Brilliance

Incorporate softened butter into the dough. Continue kneading at medium speed for 10-20 minutes until the dough becomes silky smooth and pulls away from the bowl’s sides.

Step 4: First Rise

Shape the dough into a perfect round and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5: Roast Garlic Goodness

Cut the top off a garlic head to expose cloves.

Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with flaky salt and pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast at 350F for 45-60 minutes until incredibly soft.

Step 6: Create Garlic Butter Spread

• Softened butter
• Chopped parsley
• Salt

Blend until smooth and fragrant.

Step 7: Prepare Dough Canvas

Roll the proofed dough into a 12×12-inch square on a lightly floured surface.

Step 8: Layer Flavor Explosion

Spread the garlic butter generously over the dough.

Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Step 9: Cut and Stack

Use a pizza cutter to divide the dough into 12 even pieces.

Stack the pieces upright in a greased loaf pan.

Step 10: Final Proof

Cover the stacked dough and let it proof for 30-40 minutes until puffy and irresistible.

Step 11: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350F. Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle extra cheese.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and beautiful.

Step 12: Serve and Devour

Pull apart the warm, cheesy bread and enjoy the garlicky, melty masterpiece you’ve created!

Tips for Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread Lovers

• Create a smooth, lump-free tangzhong by whisking constantly and using medium heat for precise thickening.
• Allow the dough to develop gluten fully by kneading 10-20 minutes, ensuring a soft, stretchy texture that pulls away cleanly from the bowl.
• Wrap garlic in foil with olive oil to create mellow, caramelized cloves that blend seamlessly into the butter mixture.
• Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot around 78F to help it rise evenly and develop rich flavor without drying out.
• Arrange dough pieces vertically in the pan, slightly overlapping to create beautiful pull-apart layers that bake uniformly.

Fun Styles for Pull-Apart Garlic Bread

• Herb-Infused Bread Variation: Replace parsley with a mix of rosemary, thyme, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-style garlic bread.
• Spicy Cheese Lover's Variation: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture for a fiery kick and extra heat.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute bread flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain dough structure and texture.
• Vegan Cheese Option: Use dairy-free cream cheese and plant-based mozzarella with nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor profile and texture.

Sauces to Pair With Cheesy Garlic Bread

• Pair Perfectly with Hearty Red Wines: Select bold, robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel that complement the rich, cheesy garlic bread's intense flavors and cut through its creamy texture.
• Create a Fresh Salad Side: Toss a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the bread's heaviness, adding bright, tangy notes that refresh the palate between bites.
• Match with Herb-Infused Dipping Sauces: Craft marinara, garlic aioli, or herb-packed ranch dips that enhance the bread's garlicky profile and provide additional layers of complementary flavor.

Best Storage for Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Carefully place bread in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 1 month. Wrap individual pieces separately for easier thawing.
• Preheat oven to 300F. Wrap bread in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Unwrap last 2-3 minutes for crispy exterior.
• Heat individual pieces for 15-20 seconds. Add a damp paper towel on top to prevent dryness. Check every 10 seconds to avoid overheating.

FAQs

• What is tangzhong and why is it used in this recipe?

Tangzhong is a cooked mixture of flour and milk that helps create a softer, more tender bread texture by pre-gelatinizing the flour’s starches, which allows the dough to retain more moisture during baking.

• Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

While a stand mixer makes kneading easier, you can knead the dough by hand. It will take longer and require more effort, but you can still achieve a smooth, elastic dough by kneading for about 15-20 minutes.

• How do I know when the dough is properly kneaded?

The dough is properly kneaded when it becomes smooth, elastic, and passes the “window pane test” – a small piece of dough can be stretched thin enough to see light through without tearing.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade cheesy pull-apart garlic bread elevates simple side dishes with irresistible charm. Melted cheese, aromatic herbs, and golden-brown edges make this recipe a crowd-pleasing companion for pasta, soups, or solo snacking.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 300 g bread flour
• 100 g grated mozzarella cheese
• 40 g full-fat cream cheese
• 1 head of garlic
• 70 g unsalted butter

Tangzhong Ingredients:

• 20 g bread flour
• 80 g whole milk

Additional Ingredients:

• 15 g granulated sugar
• 6 g sea salt
• 6 g instant dry yeast
• 90 g whole milk
• 50 g egg
• 20 g unsalted butter
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch flaky sea salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Egg Wash:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

1. Prepare tangzhong by whisking bread flour and milk in a small pot over medium heat until it transforms into a thick, paste-like consistency at 150F/65C.
2. Transfer tangzhong to a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Combine tangzhong with bread flour, sugar, salt, yeast, milk, cream cheese, and egg in a stand mixer using a dough hook, kneading for 10 minutes.
4. Incorporate softened butter and continue kneading at medium speed for 10-20 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and separates from the bowl’s edges.
5. Shape the dough into a round, place in a lightly oiled bowl, and let rise in a warm environment at 78F/26C for 1½ to 2 hours until doubled in size.
6. Slice the top off a garlic head, exposing the cloves, and drizzle with olive oil, flaky salt, and pepper.
7. Wrap garlic in aluminum foil and roast at 350F/180C for 45-60 minutes until tender.
8. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a bowl and blend with softened butter, chopped parsley, and salt until smooth.
9. Roll the proofed dough into a 12×12-inch square on a floured surface.
10. Spread garlic butter evenly across the dough and generously sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
11. Slice the dough into 12 equal pieces using a pizza cutter.
12. Arrange the dough pieces vertically in a greased loaf pan, stacking them upright.
13. Allow the bread to proof for an additional 30-40 minutes until puffy.
14. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.
15. Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle extra cheese.
16. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the bread achieves a golden brown color.
17. Serve warm, pulling apart the cheesy, garlicky layers.

Notes

• Perfectly soft dough requires precise kneading, ensuring the butter is fully incorporated creates a silky, elastic texture.
• Tangzhong technique helps retain moisture, making the bread exceptionally soft and extending its freshness for several days.
• Roasting whole garlic head intensifies its sweetness and mellows the sharp flavor, transforming the bread’s overall taste profile.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute bread flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 3 hours
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 235 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg