Cheese. Garlic. Bread. What a combo. 🤤 When it comes to my ultimate comfort food, this Garlic Cheddar Parmesan Pull Apart Bread is right up there (that was a mouthful). It’s cheesy, garlicky, and has that perfect pull-apart goodness that makes you reach for just one more piece (and then another).
The first time I made this, it was a bit of an experiment. I wanted something fun and flavourful to serve at a game night, and let’s just say, it turned out to be the star of the evening. Now, it’s a must-have at any gathering, and honestly, it’s so easy to whip up that I sometimes make it just because.
What sets this Garlic Cheddar Parmesan Pull Apart Bread apart (pun intended) is the layers of flavour. Between the soft, fluffy bread, the fresh garlic, and the double hit of cheese from sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan, you really can’t get enough. And the smell while it bakes? Unreal.
And let’s talk about the texture because that’s a big deal here. The outside gets this perfect golden crust, while the inside stays soo soft and cheesy. The best part is grabbing a piece and seeing those cheesy strands stretch out, so satisfying!
Honestly, if you haven’t tried making pull apart bread yet, you’re missing out. It’s fun to prepare, even more fun to eat, and it always, always gets rave reviews. So, this Garlic Cheddar Parmesan Pull Apart Bread is a foolproof way to bring some delicious drama (the good kind!) to the table!
Why you'll love this Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
- Cheese lover’s dream: Loaded with cheddar and Parmesan for that double cheese goodness.
- Perfect for sharing: Designed to be pulled apart, making it a fun and interactive dish for any gathering. 🙂
- Easy to make: Simple steps and straightforward ingredients mean you can whip this up with ease.
- Visually impressive: Looks as amazing as it tastes, sure to impress anyone at your table.
KITCHEN EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- Hand or stand mixer with dough hook attachment
- Mixing bowls
- Kitchen scale (I like to weigh out most of my ingredients for accuracy, I also think it’s more efficient when measuring things out over measuring cups!)
- Parchment paper
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Rolling pin
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Pastry brush
Ingredients for this Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
This recipe doesn’t just taste amazing—it’s also made with everyday ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need:
For the bread: milk, sugar, active dry yeast, all purpose flour, italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, unsalted butter, water and eggs
For the filling: parmesan cheese, garlic, cheddar cheese and unsalted butter
*These are the main ingredients. The full list of ingredients and measurements can be found at the bottom of this post!*
How to make a Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
BREAD:
1. In a small bowl, heat the milk until luke warm in the microwave (make sure it is not too hot, it will kill the yeast and your bread won’t rise! Use your pinky finger or back of your palm to test). Whisk in the yeast and sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes. It will be foamy.
2. Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, add the flour, italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika and salt to the stand mixer bowl and whisk to combine.
3. Add the water and milk and knead on medium speed until the flour is about 75% hydrated. Then add the butter and knead until combined.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Knead for another 3 minutes until the dough comes together. The dough will be very sticky.
5. Transfer the dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
6. In a small bowl, combine the parmesan, garlic and marble cheese.
7. After the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a well floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 10×24 inches roughly.
8. Brush the dough with melted butter and then evenly sprinkle the garlic cheese mix over the dough.
9. Using a pizza cutter (or a knife), cut out 12 squares (2 rows, 6 columns, you can cut more squares if you’d like, it’ll just make the loaf tighter and shorter and a bit more difficult to pull apart). Stack the squares on top of each other.
10. Generously brush a 9×5-inch loaf pan with melted butter or spray with oil. Gently transfer the stack of dough squares into the loaf pan length wise.
11. Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
BAKING
12. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
13. Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
14. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn the loaf over onto your serving plate. Sprinkle additional herbs of your liking and some extra parmesan. Best served warm! Reheat in the oven or microwave if cold.
Tips for perfect pull apart bread
Proof your yeast: Make sure your yeast foams up to ensure it’s active.
Don’t rush the rising: Let the dough rise fully both times to develop flavour and texture.
Layer generously: Don’t skimp on the filling for the best flavour in every bite.
Check for doneness: Oven temperatures can vary, so check that it’s golden brown and cooked through.
Serve warm: This bread is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
FAQ!
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! Assemble the bread, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
Can I use different cheeses? Sure, feel free to experiment with mozzarella or gouda for a different taste.
Is there a quick dough alternative? You can use pre-made pizza dough.
How do I store leftovers? Keep in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best results.
Can I add other herbs? Definitely! Rosemary or thyme would be a delicious addition.
Storage instructions
This Garlic Cheddar Parmesan Pull Apart Bread is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, wrap them tightly in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven until warm and toasty.
Get baking and let the cheesy, garlicky soft bread take over, your taste buds will thank you!
Tag me on Instagram or Tiktok or DM me a photo if you make this recipe!
Garlic Cheddar Parm Pull Apart Bread
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1/3 cup milk whole or 2%, warm
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 large eggs
Filling:
- 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 85 g cheddar marble cheese, any stretchy mild cheese will do
- 3–4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Bread:
-
In a small bowl, heat the milk until luke warm in the microwave (make sure it is not too hot, it will kill the yeast and your bread won’t rise! Use your pinky finger or back of your palm to test). Whisk in the yeast and sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes. It will be foamy.
-
Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, add the flour, italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika and salt to the stand mixer bowl and whisk to combine.
-
Add the water and milk and knead on medium speed until the flour is about 75% hydrated. Then add the butter and knead until combined.
-
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Knead for another 3 minutes until the dough comes together. The dough will be very sticky.
-
Transfer the dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
-
In a small bowl, combine the parmesan, garlic and marble cheese.
-
After the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a well floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 10×24 inches roughly.
-
Brush the dough with melted butter and then evenly sprinkle the garlic cheese mix over the dough.
-
Using a pizza cutter (or a knife), cut out 12 squares (2 rows, 6 columns, you can cut more squares if you’d like, it’ll just make the loaf tighter and shorter and a bit more difficult to pull apart). Stack the squares on top of each other.
-
Generously brush a 9×5-inch loaf pan with melted butter or spray with oil. Gently transfer the stack of dough squares into the loaf pan length wise.
-
Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Baking:
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
-
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn the loaf over onto your serving plate. Sprinkle additional herbs of your liking and some extra parmesan. Best served warm! Reheat in the oven or microwave if cold.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Bread
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