Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Melty cheese and spicy pepperoni in every bite
Easy to make and great for sharing
Versatile — eat it as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal
Can be adapted with different cheeses, fillings, and sauces

Ingredients

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

A loaf of bread (French loaf, Italian, or a large artisan style)
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pepperoni slices
Butter, softened
Garlic, minced or garlic powder
Italian seasoning or dried herbs
Optional: marinara or pizza sauce for dipping
Salt & pepper

Example Recipe Card

1 medium French or Italian loaf
½ cup butter, softened
2–3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1½ to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
20–30 pepperoni slices (or more, to your liking)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Pinch salt & pepper
Optional: ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce for serving

Directions

Preheat oven (or air fryer, if using)
Preheat your oven to about 375 °F (190–200 °C). If using an air fryer large enough, set it to a similar temperature.
Prepare the loaf
- Place the loaf on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp bread knife, make cuts into the loaf in a grid pattern (or crosshatch) without cutting all the way through:
  - Make parallel diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart, stopping before you reach the bottom crust.
  - Rotate the loaf and repeat in the opposite direction to form diamond shapes or squares.
- The idea is to create pockets to stuff cheese and pepperoni.
Make garlic butter
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic (or garlic powder), Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Spread this garlic butter into the cuts of the bread, massaging to get it into the folds and crevices.
Stuff with cheese and pepperoni
- Insert shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices into the cuts, pushing them in so each section gets a good mix.
- If desired, layer some cheese or pepperoni on the top and in the middle cuts more heavily.
Wrap (optional) & bake
- If you worry about cheese oozing too much, you can loosely wrap the loaf in foil for the first part of baking, then unwrap near the end to allow browning.
- Place the loaf on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
- Bake for about 15–20 minutes covered (if foil) then 5–10 minutes uncovered, until cheese is melted and top is golden and crispy.
If using an air fryer: place the loaf (if it fits) and bake at ~370–380 °F for ~12–15 minutes, checking to prevent burning.
Serve
Let the cheese set for a minute or two (it’ll be hot). Then pull apart pieces or slice and serve with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 4–6 people (depending on loaf size)
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Bake time: ~20–25 minutes (including any covered/uncovered phases)
Total time: about 30 minutes

Variations

Use different cheeses: mozzarella + cheddar, pepper jack, provolone, or smoked cheese
Add extra fillings: cooked sausage crumbles, diced jalapeños, bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives
Use herbed butter: add fresh parsley, basil, or rosemary
Incorporate spice: red pepper flakes or cayenne in butter or cheese
Try mini loaves: make smaller portions for individual servings
Serve with various dips: ranch, garlic aioli, pesto, or extra marinara

Storage/Reheating

Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
Reheating: Re-crisp in the oven or air fryer at ~350 °F for 5 minutes or until cheese reheats and bread regains some crispness
Avoid microwaving for long times, as it may make the bread soggy

FAQs

What type of bread works best for this recipe?

A loaf with some sturdiness — French, Italian, sourdough, or artisan bread that can hold fillings without falling apart.

Can I prep this ahead of time?

Yes — you can make the cuts, spread the garlic butter, and stuff the loaf up to a few hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake, then bake as usual.

Will all the cheese melt inside?

If the loaf is well stuffed and baked long enough, yes. Use thin shreds, and allow the loaf to rest for a minute to let the cheese settle.

Can I freeze cheesy pepperoni bread?

You can freeze after baking (cool completely, wrap tightly) and reheat in the oven or air fryer. It’s best fresh, however, for texture.

How do I prevent the bottom from getting soggy?

Use a baking sheet or dish, and avoid excess sauce in the cuts. Also, bake uncovered near the end to crisp up the exterior.

Can I make a gluten-free version?

Yes — use a gluten-free loaf and ensure all other ingredients (cheese, seasonings) are gluten-free.

Can I add meats other than pepperoni?

Absolutely — cooked sausage, ham, bacon bits, or even deli meats can be inserted into the cuts.

How spicy or mild is this recipe?

It’s mild by default. You can add spice via pepper flakes, hot sauce in the butter, or spicy cheese.

Is it better to bake in the oven or use an air fryer?

The oven gives more even heating for larger loaves; an air fryer works well for smaller loaves or portions. Adjust times accordingly.

Conclusion

Cheesy pepperoni bread is a crowd-pleasing, indulgent dish that combines gooey cheese and savory pepperoni in a pull-apart loaf. It’s easy to customize, simple to prepare, and perfect for sharing. Whether you bake it in an oven or air fryer, you’ll delight in the mix of textures — crisp bread, buttery garlic, and melty fillings. Enjoy it as a fun appetizer, snack, or side to your meal.

Cheesy Pepperoni Bread

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Cheesy Pepperoni Bread is a gooey, pull-apart loaf stuffed with melted mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and buttery garlic seasoning. Perfect for sharing at parties, game nights, or as a comforting snack or appetizer.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Yield: 4–6 servings
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

1 medium French or Italian loaf
1/2 cup butter, softened
2–3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
20–30 pepperoni slices
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Pinch of salt and pepper
Optional: 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce for serving

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 370°F (188°C).
Place the loaf on a cutting board. Make diagonal cuts 1 inch apart without cutting all the way through. Rotate and repeat to create a grid pattern.
Mix softened butter with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Spread the garlic butter mixture into all the cuts of the bread.
Stuff shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices into the cuts, distributing evenly throughout the loaf.
Wrap loosely in foil and bake for 15–20 minutes, then uncover and bake another 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is golden.
For air fryer: bake at 370°F for 12–15 minutes, checking to avoid overbrowning.
Let cool briefly, then serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.

Notes

Don’t cut all the way through the loaf — keep the base intact.
Use foil to prevent excessive cheese dripping and to ensure even melting.
Try different cheeses or add toppings like sausage or jalapeños.
Serve immediately for the best texture.
Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 loaf
Calories: 310
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 610mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 45mg