Crispy Pull Apart Garlic Bread Recipe

Tangy Homemade Pull Apart Garlic Bread Recipe for Bread Lovers

Warm, golden-brown pull apart garlic bread delivers pure comfort straight from your oven, promising a mouthwatering experience that will have everyone at the table swooning.

Melted butter mingles with fresh garlic, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with anticipation.

Each slice tears away effortlessly, revealing a soft, pillowy interior crusted with herbs and garlic.

The crispy edges promise a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender inner layers.

Perfectly seasoned and beautifully golden, this bread transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Served alongside pasta, soups, or enjoyed on its own, this garlic bread will become your new favorite side dish.

How To Put Together Pull Apart Garlic Bread

  • Craft the Bread Grid

Grab a crusty loaf and slice it carefully into a crosshatch pattern without cutting completely through. Place the bread on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch any delicious drips.

  • Create Flavor-Packed Spread

Melt butter and blend in fresh garlic, herbs, and a sprinkle of seasonings. Fold in handfuls of gooey cheese until the mixture looks irresistibly creamy and aromatic.

  • Stuff and Transform

Gently separate the bread’s crevices and generously pour the cheesy garlic mixture between each section. Ensure every crack gets coated with the rich, savory spread.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Cover the bread loosely with foil and slide into a preheated oven. Bake until the cheese starts melting, then uncover to let the edges turn crispy and golden brown.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Pull apart the warm, cheesy bread and watch as strings of melted cheese stretch between pieces. Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in with excitement.

Tips To Make Pull Apart Garlic Bread Better

Garlic Bread Perfection Tips:
  • Bread Selection Magic: Choose a sturdy bread like sourdough or French bread that holds its shape and absorbs butter beautifully without falling apart during baking.
  • Cheese Layering Technique: Distribute cheese evenly between bread cuts to ensure every bite delivers maximum cheesy, garlicky goodness and prevents dry spots.
  • Butter Temperature Trick: Use slightly warm (not hot) melted butter to help ingredients blend smoothly and spread easily through bread crevices.
Diet-Friendly Variations:
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular bread with gluten-free artisan bread or cauliflower bread for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals while maintaining the delicious flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Twist: Replace traditional bread with cloud bread or large portobello mushroom caps for a keto-friendly alternative that still delivers rich garlic and cheese experience.

Serving Pull Apart Garlic Bread Made Simple

  • Party Appetizer Extravaganza: Transform this pull apart garlic bread into a stunning starter for game nights, movie marathons, or casual gatherings with friends.
  • Dipping Delights: Create a flavor explosion by serving with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or homemade herb-infused olive oil for an extra taste adventure.
  • Meal Companion Magic: Complement hearty dishes like lasagna, spaghetti, tomato soup, or Caesar salad to elevate your dining experience with its cheesy, garlicky goodness.
  • Tailgate Touchdown: Pack this bread in a warm container for outdoor events, potlucks, or sports gatherings where people crave shareable, crowd-pleasing foods.

How To Keep Pull Apart Garlic Bread Tasty Later

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap leftover pull apart garlic bread tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing moisture loss.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Restore crispy texture by warming bread in oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwave, which can make bread soggy and compromise delicious crispy edges.
  • Freezer-Friendly Approach: Prepare entire recipe, cool completely, then freeze wrapped securely in freezer-safe container for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare garlic butter mixture up to 3 days before assembling bread. Keep sealed in refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and simplifying day-of preparation process.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 325 kcal

Servings: 9

Pull Apart Garlic Bread Ingredient Essentials

For Bread Base:
  • French Bread: Sturdy base that creates perfect pull-apart texture, choose a fresh loaf with thick, dense crumb for best results.
  • Aluminum Foil: Helps create even cooking environment and prevents excessive browning.
For Garlic Butter Mixture:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for flavor, allows precise salt control.
  • Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic punch, select fresh cloves for most intense flavor.
  • Parsley: Brings fresh, herbal brightness and vibrant green color to the mixture.
  • Italian Seasoning: Delivers complex herb blend that enhances overall taste profile.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate other ingredients' flavors.
For Cheese Elements:
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Creates stretchy, gooey texture with mild, creamy character.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty undertones that complement garlic's intensity.

Gear You’ll Need For Pull Apart Garlic Bread

  • Sharp Bread Knife: Essential for carefully cutting the grid pattern without slicing completely through the bread.
  • Baking Sheet: Provides a stable surface for preparing and baking the pull apart bread.
  • Aluminum Foil: Used for lining the baking sheet and wrapping the bread during baking.
  • Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining garlic butter and cheese mixture.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and salt.
  • Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding mozzarella and Parmesan if not pre-shredded.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing the garlic butter ingredients.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Crispy Pull Apart Garlic Bread Recipe

Crispy Pull Apart Garlic Bread Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Homemade pull apart garlic bread delivers irresistible comfort with layers of buttery, herbed goodness. Cheesy, warm, and perfect for sharing, this recipe brings Italian-inspired magic to your table.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large loaf crusty bread (sourdough or Italian bread)
  • 2 cups (200 g/7 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup (50 g/1.8 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ½ cup (115 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Grid Preparation: Meticulously craft intricate cross-hatched pattern across bread loaf without completely severing segments, creating interconnected channels for maximum flavor penetration.
  2. Flavor Infusion: Whisk melted butter with finely minced garlic, fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, creating a robust aromatic base that will elevate the bread’s profile.
  3. Cheese Integration: Seamlessly fold mozzarella and Parmesan into butter mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and uniform distribution of dairy elements throughout the herbed emulsion.
  4. Bread Stuffing: Gently separate bread’s interconnected segments, methodically nestling cheese-butter blend into every crevice, guaranteeing comprehensive flavor saturation and even coverage.
  5. Foil Wrapping and Initial Baking: Loosely encase bread in aluminum foil, then position in preheated 375F (190C) oven for 15 minutes, allowing initial warmth and controlled cheese melting.
  6. Final Crisping: Remove foil, return bread to oven for additional 5-10 minutes, achieving golden-brown exterior with perfectly melted, bubbling cheese surface.
  7. Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley sprigs, serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and gooey texture, optionally accompanying with marinara sauce for enhanced gustatory experience.

Notes

  • Slice with Precision: Use a sharp, serrated knife to create even, connected grid cuts without slicing through the entire loaf, ensuring uniform flavor distribution and easy pulling.
  • Maximize Garlic Infusion: Mince garlic finely and let it sit in melted butter for 5-10 minutes before mixing to intensify the aromatic flavor and prevent raw garlic bitterness.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Grate cheeses at room temperature for smoother melting and more even coverage between bread segments, creating a more luxurious texture.
  • Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular butter with plant-based alternatives and use dairy-free cheese for vegan versions, or opt for gluten-free bread to accommodate different dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 325
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 345 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star