Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread for Parties, Game Days, and Family Nights

Name: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 round loaf crusty bread; ½ cup melted butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed); 2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix); 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped); 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (oregano or basil); ½ teaspoon salt

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This cheesy pull-apart garlic bread is the ultimate comfort food, buttery, garlicky, and loaded with melty cheese in every bite. It’s the perfect party appetizer, side dish, or game-day snack that disappears in minutes. With crispy edges, gooey cheese, and fragrant garlic butter in every crack, it’s impossible to resist!

Round pull-apart garlic bread stuffed with melted cheese and herbs.

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Pull-apart bread has become a party favorite as it’s fun to eat and incredibly flavorful. This cheesy garlic version takes classic garlic bread to the next level by stuffing butter, herbs, and cheese deep into every slice. It pairs beautifully with pasta, soups, or your favorite appetizers, or just enjoy it on its own!

Key Takeaways

Cheesy pull-apart garlic bread is a round crusty loaf that is deeply scored, filled with garlic butter and cheese, then baked until crisp on the outside and gooey inside.
This bread works as a party appetizer, game-day snack, or family side dish, and pairs well with pasta, soups, salads, and other comfort foods.
The best bread for this recipe is a firm, crusty round loaf, such as sourdough, since it holds the deep cuts and cheese without falling apart.
The recipe takes about 30 minutes: score the loaf, mix garlic butter, stuff the cuts with butter and cheese, wrap in foil, then bake until the cheese melts and the edges are golden.
You can assemble the loaf ahead, refrigerate or freeze it, then bake just before serving, and reheat leftovers in the oven to restore a crisp exterior.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Extra cheesy and ultra comforting
Garlicky, buttery flavor in every single bite
Crispy edges + soft, gooey center
Fast and ready in just 30 minutes
Perfect for sharing at parties and gatherings
Uses simple ingredients you already have at home

Close-up shot of a round loaf of pull-apart garlic bread (or blooming bread) that has been deeply scored and filled with melted, stringy cheese and herbs. The golden, crispy bread sits on a white plate over a wooden cutting board.

Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread Ingredients

Overhead flat lay of ingredients for pull-apart garlic bread laid out on a gray countertop: a round loaf of bread sits on a wooden board next to bowls containing chopped herbs, shredded yellow cheese, a mortar and pestle with salt, two cloves of garlic, and a stick of butter.

See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread (Step-by-Step)

Overhead shot showing the first step in assembling pull-apart garlic bread: a round loaf of scored bread is brushed with a seasoned butter/herb mixture on a wooden board. Next to it are a bowl of shredded cheese and a small bowl of the garlic butter mixture with a spoon.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Using a serrated knife, cut deep crisscross slices in the loaf without cutting all the way through. In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, salt, parsley, and Italian herbs.

Overhead shot showing a round loaf of scored bread already brushed with garlic butter, now heavily topped and stuffed with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped herbs, ready for baking.

Step 2: Spread the garlic butter mixture into all cut sections. Stuff the grated cheese into every crack evenly.

Overhead shot of a round loaf of pull-apart garlic bread, generously stuffed with cheese and herbs, wrapped loosely in aluminum foil, revealing the top section of the filling, ready for baking.

Step 3: Wrap the loaf fully in foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Unwrap and bake another 5–7 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are golden. Serve hot and pull apart by hand!

Expert Tips

Pick a loaf with a firm crust so the pull-apart pieces hold their shape.
Let the melted butter cool slightly before mixing in the garlic.
Grate your own cheese for the best melt.
If serving for guests, bake it right before everyone arrives.

Serving Ideas & Variations

Serve alongside pasta dishes, lasagna, creamy soups, or a platter of easy entertaining recipes.
Turn it into a game-day snack with a side of marinara, ranch, or garlic dipping sauce.
Add finely chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
Swap in rosemary or chives if you prefer a different herb profile.
Use a mix of mozzarella and provolone for extra stretch, or add a touch of parmesan for a sharper finish.
For a richer loaf, tuck small pieces of pepperoni or cooked bacon into a few of the cuts.

Pull-Apart Garlic Bread FAQs

Can I make this cheesy pull-apart bread ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the loaf, wrap it tightly in foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze the assembled loaf before baking. Bake from frozen at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

What’s the best type of bread for this recipe?

A crusty round loaf (sourdough or similar) works best since it holds the cuts well and creates a sturdy base for the cheese and garlic butter.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

Freshly grated melts better, but pre-shredded works fine for convenience.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Place the bread in the oven at 325°F for 8 to 10 minutes to re-melt the cheese and crisp the edges again.

A finished, crusty pull-apart garlic bread loaf, stuffed with melted cheese and herbs, is served on a white plate atop a wooden cutting board and a checkered cloth. Various elements of the preparation, including garlic cloves, shredded cheese, a bowl of Parmesan, and a golden fork, are scattered around the bread on a bright, speckled countertop.

More Party Appetizers

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Vietnamese loaded fries are the kind of appetizer that instantly upgrades any party table. They are crisp, saucy, and seriously fun to eat, with that street-style twist that keeps everyone reaching back for more. It works for game day gatherings or casual weekends alike.
These bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts have the perfect mix of crisp edges, tender centers, and a glossy maple finish. They’re the kind of sweet-savory bites that disappear fast at parties and fit effortlessly into holiday menus or any casual gathering. Simple to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to stand out on any appetizer spread.
A golden, crunchy coating gives these bite-sized appetizers a texture that immediately pulls you in. These crispy cauliflower bites stay tender inside while holding a firm, crackly exterior that pairs perfectly with the cool yogurt dill sauce. It’s a simple fried cauliflower appetizer that feels fun, satisfying, and impossible to stop eating.

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Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Side view of a round loaf of garlic pull-apart bread placed on a wooden board.

Cheesy pull-apart garlic bread is soft, buttery, and loaded with gooey melted cheese in every bite. Each piece pulls away in strands, with crisp edges, tender centers, and plenty of garlicky flavor. It makes an easy, crowd-pleasing side for pasta, soups, or any cozy family dinner.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Serving Size 6 to 8

Equipment

Serrated knife
Small mixing bowl
Spoon or pastry brush
Aluminum foil
Baking sheet

Ingredients

1 round loaf crusty bread
½ cup melted butter
3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
2 cups grated cheese mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
1 teaspoon Italian herbs oregano or basil
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the loaf on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, make deep crisscross cuts across the surface of the bread, keeping the base intact so the loaf stays connected.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, salt, parsley, and Italian herbs.
Spoon or brush the garlic butter into all the cuts. Pack the grated cheese into each slit so it’s distributed throughout.
Wrap the loaf tightly in foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Unwrap and return to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts and the top turns golden.
Serve warm. Pull pieces apart by hand straight from the loaf.