Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread with Dipping Sauce

Appetizers & Snacks  |  Published May 26, 2020  |  Updated Jun 15, 2020  |  By Tawnie

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An impressive, addicting, easy to make appetizer: cheesy pull apart garlic bread. Take an ordinary sourdough loaf and turn it into something magical. Be sure to watch the recipe video too!

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Can we talk about how delicious pull apart garlic bread is for a moment?

It has all the things we love: melted butter, crushed garlic, freshly grated mozzarella cheese all wrapped up in a warm, soft, (yet perfectly crusty) sourdough bread round.

This recipe truly elevates sourdough bread and takes finger foods to the next level. It’s a gorgeous party appetizer or addition to the dinner table too!

Basically say goodbye to ordinary and boring garlic bread because this is the only way you’re going to want it now.

sourdough bread filled with shredded mozzarella cheese

And to top it off (literally) this pull apart garlic bread goodness pairs perfectly with my moms famous bread dipping sauce.

It’s an olive oil and balsamic vinegar based dipping sauce that my family devours at just about every holiday and get together.

This pull apart garlic bread deliciousness is:

  • Perfectly cheesy
  • Garlicky
  • Great for a low-fuss yet impressive party appetizer, or even a Friday night in, because carbs.
  • Warm, soft and comforting.
  • Fun to eat!
  • Fun to share!
  • Insanely delicious. Like, really really.
  • Great for dunking in soups and stews.
  • Or as a side with your favorite Italian meal, we love it with spaghetti and meatballs!

Here are the essentials:

ingredients in glass bowls needed to make garlic pull apart bread
  • Sourdough Artisan bread round (16 oz.) I just use a store bought loaf!
  • Mozzarella, freshly grated
  • Garlic
  • Butter
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Red Pepper Chili Flakes (optional)
  • Olive Oil
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Asiago Cheese
  • Parmesan Cheese
ingredients needed to make balsamic dipping sauce

How to make pull apart garlic bread

I would say the “hardest” part of this whole thing is cutting the bread.

Cut the bread carefully and do not cut all the way through to the bottom, only cut about half way. Take it slow and let the knife work its magic!

Mix the mozzarella cheese with the garlic and seasonings. Set aside to cut the bread.

Stuff the cheese mixture in between all of the cut bread, being gentle with the bread so it does not tear.

Pour the melted butter on top, loosely wrap with foil and bake.

step by step how to make cheesy pull apart garlic bread

While the pull apart bread is in the oven, whisk together the ingredients for the dipping sauce. Serve the bread while it’s warm and ooey-gooey!

Tips to making pull apart bread

Use freshly grated mozzarella cheese for the best, stringy, cheese pulls. However, you can use a combination of cheeses too – so fun!

Carefully cut the bread with a bread knife just about half way. You can cut into large or smaller squares – chefs choice! I like big, hearty squares.

Cook the bread for an addition 2-3 minutes on broil to get the bread nice and crusty on top and the cheese bubbling.

Prep the loaf in advance and store in the fridge before you want to bake it. Don’t pour the melted butter on until you’re ready to bake!

Use the leftovers for dunking in red sauce or in a cozy soup.

Let’s get that oven pre heated and ready to make some addicting and amazing pull apart garlic bread!

sourdough bread filled with melty mozzarella cheese

Other recipes you will love

Yellow Squash Cheesy Biscuits

Italian Pizza Bites

Mac and Cheese Bites

Cheese Tortellini Skewers

Carb Free Cloud Bread

the goods

When making garlic bread do you like to use melted butter or olive oil?

Related Posts

A close up of food, with Bread
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Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread with the most amazing balsamic bread dipping sauce. This loaf is garlicky, addicting, a party appetizer favorite and loaded with stringy mozzarella cheese. Delicious to dunk it in soup or marinara sauce too!
5 from 9 reviews
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 8 people (or like, 2 people let’s be honest)
Calories: 467kcal
Author: Tawnie Graham of Kroll’s Korner

Ingredients

For the bread

  • 1 (16 oz.) Artisan sourdough bread loaf
  • 3 cups Mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
  • 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional)
  • 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)

For the dipping sauce

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional)
  • 1/3 cup Asiago cheese, shredded
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium sized bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella cheese with the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper chili flakes. Set aside.
  • Using a bread knife, carefully cut the bread in strips in one direction, rotate the bread and cut in the other direction. Only cut about half way down the bread, not all the way!
  • Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl for ~30 seconds or until completely melted. Stuff the cheese mixture in between all the crevices of the bread. Drizzle the melted butter all over the top.
  • Place the bread on a baking sheet lined with foil. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.
  • While the bread is in the oven, whisk all of the ingredients for the dipping sauce together in a small bowl.
  • Serve with the bread. Pull-apart, dunk and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Use a different combination of cheeses in the bread loaf if you’d like. Mozzarella is best for the stringy cheese pulls but you can also add in cheddar, Brie, Bleu cheese, etc.
 
 
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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 467kcal

Hi, I’m Tawnie!

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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