Pull-Apart Cheese Bread Recipe

Introduction

Pull-apart cheese bread is a delicious and fun appetizer that’s perfect for sharing. Crispy on the outside and loaded with gooey melted cheese and garlic butter inside, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 Boule / Loaf Crusty Rustic Bread
• 1 Stick Salted Butter (melted)
• 6 Cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 Tablespoons Parsley (chopped)
• 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
• 1 1/2 Cups Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
• 1 Bunch Chives (finely chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Using a serrated knife, cut the bread diagonally in one direction and then again in the other to create a crosshatch pattern. Be careful not to slice all the way through.
3. Step 3: Place the sliced bread on a foil-lined baking sheet.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, melt the salted butter and mix in the minced garlic and chopped parsley.
5. Step 5: Brush the garlic butter mixture generously all over the bread, making sure to get into all the cuts and crevices.
6. Step 6: Stuff the crosshatched crevices with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Add extra cheese on top if you like it extra cheesy.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the finely chopped chives over the top of the bread.
8. Step 8: Cover the bread completely with foil—use two sheets if necessary, depending on the loaf size.
9. Step 9: Bake the loaf covered for 30 minutes, then unwrap and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden and crispy.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, cheesy pull-apart bread fresh from the oven.

Tips & Variations

• Try adding cooked bacon bits or diced jalapeños in the cheese mixture for a smoky or spicy twist.
• Use different cheese combos like pepper jack, gouda, or fontina for varied flavors.
• Make sure not to cut all the way through the bread to keep the loaf intact and easy to pull apart.

Storage

Store any leftover cheese bread wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes to refresh the crust and melt the cheese again. This recipe is best enjoyed the same day it’s made for optimal texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-sliced bread for this recipe?

It’s best to use a whole rustic loaf and make the crosshatch cuts yourself to achieve the pull-apart effect and hold the cheese inside. Pre-sliced bread won’t work the same way.

Can I prepare this in advance?

You can assemble the bread and refrigerate it uncovered for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge to ensure the cheese melts thoroughly.

Pull-Apart Cheese Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 98 reviews

This Pull-Apart Cheese Bread is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring crusty rustic bread stuffed with a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses, infused with garlic butter and fresh herbs. Perfect for sharing, it bakes to a golden, cheesy perfection that’s crispy on the outside and gooey inside.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread and Butter

• 1 Boule / Loaf Crusty Rustic Bread
• 1 Stick Salted Butter (melted)

Herbs and Flavoring

• 6 Cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 Tablespoons Parsley (chopped)
• 1 Bunch Chives (finely chopped)

Cheese

• 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
• 1 1/2 Cups Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
2. Slice Bread: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut your bread boule diagonally in both directions (cross-hatch) without cutting all the way through, creating pockets for the cheese and butter.
3. Place on Baking Sheet: Lay the sliced bread on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch any drips and facilitate cleanup.
4. Melt Butter and Mix: Melt the stick of salted butter in a small bowl, then stir in the minced garlic and chopped parsley to infuse flavor into the butter mixture.
5. Brush Butter Mixture: Generously brush the garlic-parsley butter all over the bread, making sure to coat inside all cut crevices for maximum flavor.
6. Stuff with Cheese: Stuff the mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses thoroughly into all the cross-hatched cuts on the bread, being generous to ensure every bite is cheesy. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
7. Add Chives and Cover: Sprinkle finely chopped chives over the filled bread, then cover the entire loaf completely with foil, using two sheets if necessary to keep steam in and melt the cheese properly.
8. Bake Bread: Bake the covered loaf for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and crispy on top.
9. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm. This pull-apart cheese bread is best enjoyed the same day for optimal freshness and gooeyness.

Notes

• Be careful not to slice the bread all the way through to prevent the cheese from falling out while baking.
• You can customize the cheese blend by adding or substituting your favorite cheeses.
• Use fresh garlic and herbs for the best aromatic flavor.
• Covering the bread during baking helps melt the cheese thoroughly without drying out the bread.
• Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.

Keywords: Pull-Apart Cheese Bread, Garlic Cheese Bread, Cheesy Bread, Appetizer, Party Bread