Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The combination of garlic, butter, and cheese gives you maximum flavor in each bite
• Pull-apart format makes it fun to serve and great for groups or casual meals
• Works as a standout side dish, appetizer or snack — simple yet impressive
• You can easily adapt it with different cheeses or herbs to match your taste

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour
• Instant yeast
• Warm water (or milk)
• Sugar (or honey)
• Salt
• Butter (melted)
• Garlic (minced or garlic powder)
• Fresh or dried parsley (or herbs like oregano/basil)
• Grated cheese (mozzarella is ideal, you may add cheddar, parmesan, etc.)
• (Optional) Olive oil
• (Optional) Additional herbs or seasoning (e.g., Italian seasoning)

Directions

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl or mixer, combine warm water (or milk), yeast, sugar, salt and one portion of the flour. Gradually add remaining flour until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead for a few minutes until smooth. Let it rest until slightly puffy.
2. Meanwhile, make the garlic-butter: Melt the butter and stir in the garlic (minced or powder) and herbs (parsley, Italian seasoning, etc.).
3. Form the dough balls: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a rough rectangle (or your choice of shape), then cut into small pieces and roll into balls (for example, 60-70 small balls).
4. Dip & assemble: Dip each dough ball into the garlic-butter mixture (or brush the mixture over them). Layer the balls in a greased bundt pan (or loaf pan, or two loaf pans) in a single layer, sprinkle some grated cheese over that layer, then repeat with more dough balls and more cheese on top.
5. Proof: Cover the pan and allow the dough to rise until very puffy (about 45-60 minutes).
6. Bake: Preheat the oven (e.g., ~175 °C / 350 °F). Bake the bread until golden brown on top, cheese melted and bubbling, and the loaf is cooked through (about 30 minutes, possibly slightly more if in a loaf pan).
7. Serve: As soon as it’s done, turn out the bread onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Pull apart the dough balls to serve warm.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes approximately 8 servings (depending on portion size).
Preparation time: ~1 hour (including dough resting).
Proofing/rising time: ~45-60 minutes.
Bake time: ~30 minutes.
Total time: ~2 hours (including rise).

Variations

• Use different cheeses: try a mix of mozzarella + cheddar, smoked gouda, or parmesan for a sharper flavor.
• Add herbs or spices: fresh rosemary, thyme, or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Make it smaller: halve the recipe and bake in one small loaf pan.
• Add fillings: tuck small bits of garlic-herb butter between layers, or add chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes or cooked bacon bits for extra texture.
• Try gluten-free: use a suitable gluten-free flour blend and adjust rising time as needed.

Storage/Reheating

• To store: Let the bread cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
• To reheat: Preheat the oven to ~160-170 °C (325-340 °F). Reheat the loaf (still wrapped in foil) for about 10–15 minutes until warmed through. For crispier top, open the foil for the last few minutes.
• You can also reheat individual pieces in a microwave for ~20-30 seconds, though the crust won’t stay as crisp.

FAQs

1. What kind of dough should I use?

You can use a homemade yeast dough (flour + yeast + water/milk + sugar + salt) or a good quality store-bought bread dough. The key is a soft, slightly sticky dough that rises well.

2. Can I skip the rising time?

While you could try a quicker version, allowing the dough to rise until puffy gives the bread light, fluffy texture. Skipping it may result in denser bread.

3. What cheeses work best?

Mozzarella melts beautifully and gives that gooey pull-apart effect. Cheddar adds sharpness. Parmesan adds savory depth. You can mix cheeses to your liking.

4. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes — you can assemble the bread, cover it, and refrigerate the pan overnight. When ready to bake, allow it to come closer to room temperature and then bake as directed (you may need to add a few extra minutes).

5. Can I use a loaf pan instead of a bundt pan?

Absolutely — a loaf pan works fine. If using a loaf pan, the bake time may vary slightly; check for doneness as usual (golden top, cooked through).

6. How do I know when it’s done baking?

It should be golden brown on top, cheese melted and bubbling, and the internal dough balls should be cooked through (not doughy). Pull apart a piece to check softness inside.

7. Can I add garlic more intensely?

Yes — use extra minced fresh garlic (finely chopped) or garlic powder to taste, but be mindful of strong raw garlic flavor and ensure it gets cooked/baked well.

8. What’s the best way to serve it?

Serve it warm, right out of the oven. It pairs beautifully with marinara sauce for dipping, or alongside soups, pasta dishes, or a green salad.

9. Is it freezer-friendly?

Yes — once cooled, you can wrap the loaf tightly and freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the oven as above.

10. Can I make it vegetarian/vegan?

Vegetarian yes (just make sure your cheese uses vegetarian rennet). For vegan: use a vegan butter substitute and vegan cheese, and confirm the dough has no animal-derived ingredients. The texture/behavior may vary slightly.

Conclusion

This Cheesy Garlic Bubble Bread is a winner when you want something cozy, flavorful and share-worthy. The mix of garlic, butter and melting cheese wrapped into soft dough balls creates a bread that invites pulling, dipping and enjoying with friends or family. With just a bit of prep and baking time, you’ll have a fun, interactive loaf that becomes the highlight of any meal. Give it a try and enjoy the warm, gooey goodness!

Cheesy Garlic Bubble Bread

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Cheesy Garlic Bubble Bread is a pull-apart loaf made of soft dough balls infused with garlic butter and layered with melted cheese. It’s golden, gooey, and perfect for sharing as a side, appetizer, or snack.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Bread, Appetizer, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water or milk (about 110°F/43°C)
• 1 tbsp sugar or honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
• 2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella, or a mix with cheddar/parmesan)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning or mixed herbs (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water (or milk), yeast, sugar, salt, and 1 cup of the flour. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
2. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rest until slightly puffy (about 30–45 minutes).
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter and stir in minced garlic and herbs to make the garlic-butter mixture.
4. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into small pieces and roll into 60–70 small balls.
5. Dip each dough ball in the garlic-butter mixture, then layer them in a greased bundt or loaf pan. Sprinkle cheese between layers and on top.
6. Cover and let the dough rise until very puffy (45–60 minutes).
7. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
8. Remove from oven, cool slightly, then turn out and serve warm. Pull apart to enjoy!

Notes

• You can substitute different cheeses for varied flavor — try cheddar, gouda, or parmesan.
• For extra garlic flavor, increase garlic or add garlic powder to the dough.
• Serve with marinara or garlic butter dip for added indulgence.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
• Can be made ahead and baked later after refrigeration.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/8 loaf
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 410mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 30mg