Savory Cheese & Herb Pull-Apart Bread

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 Savory Cheese & Herb Pull-Apart Bread

 Description

Savory Cheese & Herb Pull-Apart Bread is a warm, buttery, crowd-pleasing appetizer made from a crusty loaf sliced in a crosshatch pattern, filled with garlic herb butter and generous amounts of melted cheese. As it bakes, the cheese melts deep into the crevices while the crust turns golden and crisp. Each piece pulls apart easily, making it perfect for sharing at gatherings, holidays, or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

  • 1 large round or oval crusty loaf (sourdough or Italian bread)

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)

  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Optional Add-Ins:

  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (for heat)

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar, provolone, or Gruyère

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for extra richness)

 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.

2️⃣ Slice the Bread

Using a serrated knife, cut the bread diagonally in one direction, then repeat in the opposite direction to create a crosshatch pattern.
Do not cut all the way through — leave about ½ inch at the bottom intact.

3️⃣ Make the Herb Butter

In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

4️⃣ Fill the Bread

Gently open the cuts and drizzle the herb butter evenly throughout the bread.
Stuff mozzarella and Parmesan into all the crevices.

5️⃣ Bake

Wrap loosely in foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Unwrap and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

6️⃣ Serve

Garnish with extra herbs and serve immediately while warm and gooey.

 Servings

  • Serves: 6–8 people

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes

  • Cook Time: 25–30 minutes

  • Total Time: ~40 minutes

 Tips for Best Results

  • ✔ Use day-old bread for better structure.

  • ✔ Don’t overcut the loaf — keep the base intact.

  • ✔ For extra crispiness, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end (watch closely).

  • ✔ Let rest 5 minutes before serving to prevent cheese from sliding out.

  • ✔ Add cooked bacon bits for a heartier version.

 Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving, based on 8 servings)

  • Calories: 320–380 kcal

  • Protein: 12g

  • Carbohydrates: 28g

  • Fat: 20g

  • Saturated Fat: 11g

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sodium: 450–550mg

Values vary depending on bread and cheese used.

 Benefits of This Recipe

  • ✔ Great for entertaining and sharing

  • ✔ Customizable with different cheeses and herbs

  • ✔ Quick and easy to prepare

  • ✔ Comfort food that pairs well with soups, pasta, and salads

  • ✔ Can be adapted to vegetarian-friendly diets

Q & A

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble the bread, wrap tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: You can freeze it unbaked. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 extra minutes.

Q: What’s the best cheese combination?
A: Mozzarella for melt + Parmesan for flavor is classic. Add Gruyère for richness.

Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A: Wrap in foil and reheat at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Yes, use plant-based butter and dairy-free shredded cheese alternatives.

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