Irresistible Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread: Your Ultimate Party Snack!
Prepare for a culinary sensation that will redefine your snack goals: this incredible Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread. Imagine a glorious loaf of bread, generously smothered in rich garlic butter, ingeniously stuffed with all your favorite vibrant pizza fillings, and then decadently topped with an abundance of gooey, melted cheese. It’s not just a dish; it’s an experience!
This innovative recipe masterfully combines the comforting familiarity of classic garlic bread with the exciting flavors of a delicious pizza, creating a truly unique and utterly irresistible treat. Whether you’re hosting an action-packed game day, settling in for a cozy movie night, or simply craving a crowd-pleasing appetizer that vanishes almost instantly, this pull-apart bread is your perfect solution. Elevate your gathering by pairing it with a warm, tangy batch of Cocktail Meatballs for a dynamic duo that’s saucy, cheesy, and guaranteed to be the star of any party.
The Evolution of a Fan Favorite: Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread
For those who have been following my culinary journey from the very beginning, you might remember the original Cheesy Pizza Pull Apart Bread from way back in 2014. Back then, I was just starting out, navigating the tricky waters of food photography (and admittedly, often failing!). Fast forward to today, and while I may still be learning the intricacies of my camera, one thing I’ve mastered is creating truly epic pull-apart bread recipes.
This garlic butter pizza version is a delicious remake, building upon the original’s success with enhanced flavors and an even more satisfying texture. It was a joy to revisit this classic and bring it back to you, perfected for your ultimate eating pleasure. This versatile dish can effortlessly transition from a delightful snack or a hearty side to an impressive appetizer. In fact, it’s so good, we’ve been known to enjoy it for dinner multiple nights in a row!
Unlocking the Simplicity: How to Make Pull Apart Bread
One of the best aspects of pull-apart bread, especially this pizza-infused delight, is its incredible ease of preparation. It’s truly a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary results! The basic principle involves creating wedges in a loaf of bread, then meticulously stuffing each crevice with a glorious combination of flavors, and finally baking it to golden, cheesy perfection. This recipe is designed to be straightforward and fun, making it accessible even for novice bakers.
The beauty of pull-apart bread lies in its versatility. You can customize it endlessly with whatever delicious fillings you discover in your refrigerator or pantry. Think of it as a culinary canvas for your cravings! Craving something a bit different, like a barbecue chicken and pineapple pizza pull apart bread? I’ve got you covered with a specific recipe for that! And if you prefer a simpler approach, you can certainly omit certain pizza toppings and focus on the garlic butter and cheese for a more traditional garlic bread experience. The choice, ultimately, is yours.
I’ve been eager to share this enhanced recipe from the archives for a while, and with the festive seasons of Christmas and New Year approaching, it felt like the perfect moment to reintroduce this spectacular dish. Consider it garlic bread, but on a whole new level – garlic bread on steroids, if you will, offering an explosion of flavors and textures in every pull.
Honestly, why anyone would choose to skip the delightful pizza toppings is beyond me! The combination of savory pepperoni, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese, all infused with fragrant garlic butter, is simply divine. I urge you to try this full-flavored version first; you’ll quickly discover why it becomes a beloved dish by everyone you share it with.
Watch the Magic Unfold: How We Make This Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread!
Seeing is believing, and for a recipe as visually appealing as this one, a video demonstration can be incredibly helpful. Get a clear understanding of the cutting technique, how to generously distribute the fillings, and the moment when all that cheese melts into golden perfection. This step-by-step video will guide you through the process, ensuring your pull-apart bread turns out perfectly every time.
Crafting Perfection: Tips for Your Pull Apart Bread Success
While the recipe itself is simple, a few tips can elevate your garlic butter pizza pull apart bread from great to absolutely legendary:
- Choose Your Bread Wisely: A good quality, unsliced loaf like Pane Di Casa, Vienna, or Sourdough is crucial. Its sturdy crust and soft interior provide the perfect canvas for all those fillings. Avoid overly soft breads that might tear easily during the cutting and stuffing process.
- The Art of Cutting: The key is to cut deeply enough to create pockets for the fillings but not all the way through the base. This keeps the loaf intact while allowing for easy pulling apart later. Take your time, and use a sharp serrated bread knife for clean cuts.
- Don’t Be Shy with Garlic Butter: The garlic butter is the soul of this recipe. Ensure every crevice gets a good drizzle. This not only imparts incredible flavor but also helps to keep the bread moist and delicious during baking.
- Layering for Flavor: Start with half the garlic butter, then the pizza sauce, followed by your chosen fillings and cheese. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter and Italian herbs over the top to finish. This layering ensures maximum flavor distribution.
- Cover and Uncover: Covering the bread with foil during the initial baking prevents the cheese and toppings from burning while allowing the bread to heat through and the cheese to begin melting. Uncovering it later provides that glorious golden, crispy top and fully melted, bubbly cheese everyone loves.
- Customizing Fillings: This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to experiment with other pizza toppings like cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or even a different blend of cheeses. Just make sure your fillings aren’t too wet, which could make the bread soggy.
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Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Pane Di Casa Vienna or Sourdough loaf of bread, unsliced
- 2/3 cup butter melted
- 4 cloves garlic crushed, or 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1/4 red onion finely chopped
- 1 tomato large, ripe, finely chopped
- 3 1/2 ounces mini pepperoni slices
- fresh basil leaves finely shredded
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or Italian seasoning
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 176°C | 350°F degrees.
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In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and crushed garlic. Mix well to combine. Set aside.
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Place the loaf of bread on a chopping board. Using a sharp bread knife, cut the bread diagonally in rows across the top, down to 1-inches (2 cm) above the base in depth. (Be careful not to cut through to the base of the loaf.) Holding the bread firmly and gently over the top, cut through in rows in the other direction to create diamond shaped wedges.
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Transfer to a baking sheet / tray lined with aluminium foil, or parchment paper.
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Drizzle half of the garlic butter in between each wedge, followed by the pizza sauce. (It doesn’t need to be neat!)
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Follow with the onions, tomatoes, pepperoni slices, basil, and cheese.
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Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the top of bread and top with the Italian herbs (or seasoning).
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Cover with foil and bake for 15 – 20 minutes, or until cheese has started to melted.
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Uncover and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until bread is crunchy and the cheese has melted all the way through.
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Remove and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Storage and Reheating for Later Indulgence
Should you miraculously have any leftovers of this delectable Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread, storing and reheating it is simple! Allow the bread to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Keep the bread wrapped in foil and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly once more. For a crispier texture, you can unwrap it for the last 5 minutes of reheating. This method helps maintain the bread’s moisture and prevents it from drying out.
The Perfect Ending to Any Day
This Garlic Butter Pizza Pull Apart Bread is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of simple, satisfying flavors that bring people together. Whether it’s the star of your next party, a comforting family dinner, or a delicious late-night snack, its cheesy, garlicky, pizza-packed goodness is guaranteed to impress. It’s incredibly easy to make, highly customizable, and universally loved. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and prepare to be adored by everyone who takes a delicious pull!