This fun, cheesy pull apart garlic cheese bread in the shape of a football is the perfect appetizer to make for game day to truly entertain your guests. Pull apart garlic cheese bread recipe only requires 5 ingredients and about 5-10 minutes of prep time, making this recipe quick and easy to throw together with minimal time. If you love cheesy garlic bread, this finger food pull apart version is perfect for you.
This cheesy garlic pull-apart bread appetizer recipe is perfect for football game day, especially if you are making it in the shape of a football. The best part about this recipe is that it can be adapted to pretty much and holiday, party or occasion by simply changing the shape you assemble the cheesy bread in.
Cheesy pull apart garlic bread is the best bread appetizer for Christmas by shaping the cheesy garlic pull apart bread in the shape of a Christmas tree, a Halloween party appetizer by shaping it into a pumpkin, or a Thanksgiving side dish by shaping it into a turkey.
This was inspired by my cheesy garlic bread recipe on this site, and pairs well with this pepperoni pizza dip recipe.
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Ingredients
The main ingredient of this pull apart bread appetizer is the pre-made Pillsbury pizza dough. Using this makes the recipe simple and easy to make and assemble. Stuffed inside of the pizza dough is freshly grated mozzarella cheese and a garlic butter is then basted on top with a little fresh parsley.
- pre-made Pillsbury pizza dough
- mozzarella cheese
- garlic
- butter
- parsley
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Shred mozzarella cheese. Roll out pizza dough. Cut into 2 inch by 2 inch squares. Melt butter in a small bowl and add grated garlic. Chop parsley. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Step 2: Place about ½ tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in the middle of each piece of dough. Pinch the edges of the pizza dough together to form a ball of dough. Roll in hands to make a ball shape. Set aside.
- Step 3: On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange the dough balls into the shape of a football. Baste top of the dough with melted butter and garlic. Spread about ½ cup mozzarella cheese over the top of the bread.
- Step 4: Bake 18-20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cheese is melted. Remove from oven and baste with extra garlic butter mixture over pull apart bread and melted cheese. Sprinkle parsley over pull apart bread. Serve immediately or save for later.
Hint: shred the mozzarella cheese manually for best results instead of buying the pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has a film on it that prevents it from melting evenly. Shredding the cheese yourself will help the cheese melt faster and more evenly.
Substitutions
- Bread - use gluten free pizza dough instead of white bread dough to make this recipe gluten free
- Dairy Free - use vegan butter and vegan mozzarella cheese to make this recipe dairy free
- Garlic - if you do not have fresh chopped garlic, use garlic powder. For extra garlicky bread it is suggested to use fresh grated garlic
- Baking Sheet - this recipe can also be made in a bundt pan or a loaf pan to resemble a cheesy monkey bread pull apart bread form
Variations
- Meat Lovers - add pepperonis to the dough balls and sprinkle on top for a meat lovers version
- Pizza - add pizza sauce in the dough balls along with the cheese and serve pizza sauce on the side for a pizza version. Grate fresh parmesan cheese over the pull apart bread after baking
- Pizza Sliders - turn these ingredients into sliders and add pizza sauce for a pizza slider
See this pizza slider recipe version of this recipe on my website!
Equipment
To make this pull apart rolls recipe you will need a baking sheet. A cheese grater is also needed. Lastly, a pizza cutter is needed to slice the pizza dough and a basting brush is needed to baste garlic butter on top of the pull apart bread.
How to Store Pull Apart Garlic Cheese Bread
Leftover cheesy pull-apart garlic bread can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave or air fryer prior to serving. Heat until warm and cheese is melty to serve leftovers.
These ingredients do stand up well to freezing for up to 2 months.
Top Tip
Make sure to seal the dough balls tightly and avoid overfilling with cheese to avoid the cheese from leaking out under the dough balls. Using chilled cheese helps it hold shape longer while baking.
FAQ
Yes, you can assemble the dough balls and refrigerate them covered for up to 24 hours. Just bring to room temperature before baking.
Absolutely, small amounts of pepperoni, cooked sausage, or sautéed vegetables complement the cheese nicely inside the dough.
Brushing garlic-infused melted butter before and after baking ensures even, aromatic coverage.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with pull apart garlic cheese bread:
📖 Recipe
Pull Apart Football Game Day Garlic Cheese Bread
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Cheese Grater
- 1 Pizza Cutter
- 1 Basting Brush
Ingredients
- 1 can pre-made pizza dough
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 cloves garlic
- 8 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Shred mozzarella cheese. Roll out pizza dough. Cut into 2 inch by 2 inch squares. Melt butter and add grated garlic. Chop parsley. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place about ½ tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in the middle of the pizza dough squares. Pinch the edges of the pizza dough together to form a ball. Roll in hands to make a ball shape. Set aside.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange the dough balls into the shape of a football. Baste with melted butter and garlic. Spread about ½ cup mozzarella cheese over the dough balls.
- Bake 18-20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cheese is melted. Remove from oven and baste with extra garlic butter. Sprinkle parsley over pull apart bread. Serve immediately or save for later.
Notes
- save leftovers in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
- reheat in the oven, microwave or air fryer prior to serving leftovers.
- these ingredients can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
If you have any questions about how to make this cheesy garlic pull apart bread recipe or need other appetizer suggestions, leave a comment below!
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