There’s something incredibly comforting about soft, flaky bread loaded with gooey melted cheese and rich garlic butter. This Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread is perfect for beginners, combining biscuit dough with mozzarella and sharp cheddar, layered with a garlic butter drizzle. Ready in just over an hour, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish that’s perfect for cozy nights, potlucks, or casual gatherings.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 can (8-count) buttermilk biscuits

• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded

• ½ cup (56.5 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, parsley, and salt to make garlic butter. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, mix shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

4. Separate biscuits and gently peel each into two layers (total 16 layers).

5. Dip each biscuit layer into garlic butter, coating both sides, then sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on top. Stack the layers into two stacks of 8 layers each.

6. Place the biscuit stacks horizontally into the loaf pan, fitting snugly. Brush remaining garlic butter over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

7. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25 minutes until golden and cooked through.

8. Let cool for a few minutes, garnish with parsley, then serve by pulling apart pieces.

Nutrients (estimated per serving)

• Calories: ~350 kcal

• Protein: 12 g

• Fat: 25 g

• Carbohydrates: 20 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 2 g

• Sodium: 500 mg

The Allure of Soft Biscuit Dough

The foundation of this recipe is the biscuit dough, which offers a soft, tender crumb with just the right amount of flakiness. Using canned buttermilk biscuits keeps the process quick and hassle-free, yet the results feel homemade and satisfying. The biscuit layers separate easily, allowing for generous layering with cheese and garlic butter, which infuses every bite with flavor and moisture. The dough bakes to a golden brown crust that crisps gently on the outside while remaining pillowy soft inside.

The beauty of biscuit dough in this recipe is its adaptability—though pre-made dough is used here for convenience, homemade biscuit dough would work just as well for those who prefer to bake from scratch. The dough acts as the perfect vessel to absorb the garlic butter and melted cheese, creating a symphony of textures from soft dough to stretchy cheese to crispy, buttery edges.

Rich Garlic Butter: The Flavor Backbone

Garlic butter is the star seasoning in this dish, imparting rich, savory depth and a fragrant aroma that fills the kitchen as it bakes. Made simply with melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and kosher salt, this mixture coats each layer of biscuit dough, ensuring every bite bursts with flavor. The garlic’s pungent warmth is mellowed by the richness of butter, while parsley adds a fresh herbal note that balances the intensity.

Brushing garlic butter between layers and over the top not only enhances flavor but also helps keep the bread moist throughout baking. This technique ensures the pull-apart bread remains tender and irresistible, with the perfect balance of buttery richness and bright garlic essence.

Cheese Combination: Mozzarella and Sharp Cheddar

The blend of mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses creates an indulgent, melty filling with both creaminess and a tangy bite. Mozzarella’s mild flavor and excellent melting properties produce that signature gooey texture that stretches invitingly with each pull of the bread. Sharp cheddar contributes a bold, slightly nutty flavor that cuts through the richness and adds complexity to the taste.

Together, these cheeses create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures—moist, stretchy, and creamy mozzarella perfectly complemented by the sharper, more assertive cheddar. Sprinkling the cheese generously between the biscuit layers guarantees that each piece is loaded with cheesy goodness, making the bread truly irresistible.

Easy Assembly and Baking Process

The assembly process is simple and approachable, perfect for home cooks at any skill level. Separating each biscuit into two layers increases the number of layers and provides ample surface area to spread garlic butter and cheese. Dipping each layer into the garlic butter ensures an even coating, infusing the dough with rich flavor.

Stacking the layers into two neat stacks and placing them snugly in a loaf pan helps the bread hold its shape as it bakes. Covering the pan with foil initially traps moisture, allowing the dough to cook through and the cheese to melt without drying out. Removing the foil toward the end allows the bread’s top to crisp and brown beautifully.

The finished loaf boasts a golden crust with cheesy pockets throughout, offering a wonderful mix of textures—from crispy edges to soft centers filled with melted cheese.

Serving Suggestions and Occasions

Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread is wonderfully versatile and works well in a variety of settings. It makes a fantastic appetizer for dinner parties, offering a shareable, interactive dish that invites guests to pull apart the warm, cheesy pieces. It also shines as a side dish alongside soups, salads, or roasted meats, where its richness complements lighter or heartier mains.

Perfect for casual family dinners, game day snacks, or potluck contributions, this bread is sure to be a hit. Leftovers, if any, can be reheated gently to restore softness and gooeyness, making it a convenient make-ahead option for busy days.

Nutritional Insights

This pull-apart bread is indulgent, with richness coming primarily from butter and cheese. It delivers a satisfying balance of macronutrients, with protein largely from the cheese, which also contributes calcium for bone health. Fat content is moderate to high, reflecting the buttery dough and generous cheese layering, making it a treat best enjoyed in moderation.

Carbohydrates mainly come from the biscuit dough, providing energy and a comforting texture. Fiber content is low, so pairing the bread with fiber-rich vegetables or salads can help round out the meal nutritionally. Sodium is present in moderate amounts from the cheese, butter, and salt, and can be adjusted based on dietary preferences.

Conclusion

Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread is a delightful comfort food that brings together the best of soft, flaky biscuit dough with gooey melted cheese and fragrant garlic butter. Its easy preparation, quick baking time, and crowd-pleasing flavors make it an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. This versatile dish fits perfectly into casual meals, cozy gatherings, or special occasions where sharing and indulgence are part of the fun.