Pull-Apart Garlic Bread with Mozzarella Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Rest Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine: ,
Courses: , ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cooking Temp: 190  C
Servings: 6
Best Season: All Seasons
Description

This Pull-Apart Garlic Bread with Mozzarella is the ultimate comfort food—soft, buttery bread stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese and infused with a rich garlic-herb butter. Perfect for parties, family dinners, or as a cheesy snack, this easy yet irresistible recipe brings together golden-baked bread, aromatic garlic, and stretchy melted cheese. Serve it hot and watch it disappear in minutes!

Ingredients
    For the Bread Dough:
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 2 ¼ tsp instant dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm milk (around 40°C, not too hot)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 large egg
    • For the Garlic Butter:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
  • ½ tsp salt
    • For the Filling:
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, preferably low-moisture for better melting)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese (grated, optional but recommended)
    • For Topping:
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (to brush before baking)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds or nigella seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
    Activate the Yeast
  1. 1
    In a small bowl, mix warm milk with sugar and yeast. Let it rest for 5–8 minutes until frothy. This ensures your yeast is active and ready.
    2. Prepare the Dough
  2. 2
    In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Knead for 8–10 minutes by hand (or 5 minutes with a stand mixer) until the dough is smooth and elastic.
    3. First Rise
  3. 3
    Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
    4. Prepare Garlic Butter
  4. 4
    While the dough is rising, mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, oregano, chili flakes, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
    5. Shape and Fill the Bread
  5. 5
    Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a large rectangle (about ½ inch thick). Brush generously with garlic butter. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cut into small squares (about 5x5 cm). Stack squares into small piles and arrange them vertically in a greased loaf pan or round springform pan.
    6. Second Rise
  6. 6
    Cover and let it rise for another 20–25 minutes until slightly puffy.
    7. Bake
  7. 7
    Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush the top with olive oil, sprinkle sesame/nigella seeds if desired, and bake for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
    8. Serve Hot
  8. 8
    Remove from the oven, brush with extra garlic butter for shine, and serve warm. Enjoy the satisfying pull of gooey mozzarella with every bite!
Note

Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be wrapped in foil and reheated at 160°C (320°F) for 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it may make the bread soggy.

Cheese Variations: You can add cheddar, gouda, or a mix of cheeses for extra flavor.

Herb Variations: Fresh basil or rosemary can be added to the butter mixture for a different aroma.

Shortcut Option: Use store-bought pizza dough for a quicker version.

Keywords: cheesy garlic bread, mozzarella pull-apart bread, easy party appetizer, homemade bread
Read it online: https://petitepanini.com/recipe/pull-apart-garlic-bread-with-mozzarella-recipe/