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If you’re craving a dish that’s irresistibly cheesy, bursting with pepperoni goodness, and fun to share with friends and family, this Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine layers of soft baguette, garlic butter, zesty pizza sauce, molten mozzarella, and savory pepperoni stacked high, baked to golden perfection, and ready to be pulled apart piece by piece. It’s like a pizza party and a bread basket combined into one delicious, irresistible feast that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of simple, everyday ingredients is all it takes to create this mouthwatering Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that come together beautifully in every bite.
- Salted butter: Adds rich, creamy moisture and is the perfect vehicle for garlic flavor.
- Garlic clove: Fresh minced garlic infuses the butter with an aromatic punch that wakes up your taste buds.
- Baguette or French bread: Choose a long loaf for ideal stacking; its crusty exterior and soft inside make the perfect base.
- Pizza sauce: Provides tangy tomato goodness to complement the cheese and pepperoni.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts superbly, offering gooey, cheesy stretch in every layer.
- Pepperoni: Delivers that classic, slightly spicy, savory note every pizza needs.
- Red onion (optional): Adds a subtle crunch and sharpness for added depth.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle on top brings a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness.
How to Make Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Garlic Butter
Begin by setting your oven to a cozy 180C/350F. While it warms up, gently melt the salted butter with the minced garlic. This fragrant garlic butter will soak into every slice and layer, ensuring each bite is bursting with that heavenly flavor.
Step 2: Slice the Baguette
Cut your baguette into slices about 1.5 to 2 centimeters thick. You’ll end up with roughly 25 slices, including the ends. Laying them flat on your countertop makes it easier to spread the toppings later and helps with stacking.
Step 3: Butter and Garlic Brush
Brush each slice with the fragrant garlic butter, making sure to catch every nook and cranny. Use most of the butter mixture here, but reserve a little for finishing touches. This step ensures moist, flavorful bread layers that won’t dry out during baking.
Step 4: Add Sauce, Cheese, and Toppings
Now the fun begins! Dab a small spoonful of pizza sauce on each piece, followed by a sprinkle of finely diced red onion if you’re using, then a generous handful of grated mozzarella, and finally the pepperoni slices. These layers are what turn simple bread into an extraordinary pizza experience.
Step 5: Stack Your Pizza Bread
Carefully stack about six or seven pieces on top of each other to build your delicious tower. You want a snug, tall stack that fits neatly into an 8-inch (22cm) square baking dish. Holding the top and bottom slices, gently place the stack into the dish to keep everything intact.
Step 6: Final Butter Brush and Bake
Give the top of your stack a final brush with the reserved garlic butter. Then cover with foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese just begins to melt. Removing the foil, continue baking uncovered for another 10 minutes to achieve that golden, crusty finish that makes this dish so addictive.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a lovely touch of green and an extra hit of freshness. Serve immediately and watch everyone scramble to pull apart pieces of this crowd-pleaser!
How to Serve Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling fresh parsley not only adds color but introduces a happy herbal note that lifts the richness of the cheese and pepperoni. You might also experiment with a light dusting of chili flakes if you like heat or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to add sheen and subtle fruitiness.
Side Dishes
This Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple salads like a crisp Caesar or a peppery arugula tossed in lemon dressing. You could also serve it alongside a bowl of marinara or a light vegetable soup to balance out the indulgence with some freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this into a fun centerpiece by serving it on a wooden board, encouraging guests to grab slices as they please, or wrap the baguette stacks tightly with foil before baking individually to create personal pizza bread servings. For a festive touch, layer in different toppings like olives, mushrooms, or colorful bell peppers for visual and flavor variety.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Pull Apart Pizza Bread keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To maintain the bread’s softness, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil to prevent drying out.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! After baking and cooling, wrap the entire dish or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To bring the pull apart pizza bread back to life, reheat in a preheated oven at 175C/350F for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that delightful crisp crust texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese?
Absolutely! While mozzarella is classic for melt and stretch, try adding provolone, cheddar, or even a little parmesan for a twist. Mixing cheeses can add complexity to your Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe.
What if I don’t have a baguette?
French bread works just as well, and if you want smaller portions, mini baguettes or even ciabatta rolls sliced thick can be used. Just be sure they have the right texture — crusty outside and soft inside.
Is it possible to make this vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply skip the pepperoni and load up on veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, or artichoke hearts. The pizza sauce and cheese will still deliver all the comforting flavors.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time before baking?
You can assemble the stacks a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to bake. Just allow the dish to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before placing it in the oven.
How spicy is the Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe?
The recipe is mild by default, thanks to the pepperoni’s mellow spice and the gentle garlic butter. However, you can kick up the heat with chili flakes, spicy sausage, or pepper jack cheese if you like things with a bit more fire.
Final Thoughts
Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe isn’t just a dish; it’s an experience filled with cheesy, garlicky comfort that’s perfect for sharing and savoring together. Whether it’s a casual weeknight treat or a party centerpiece, this recipe will win hearts and satisfy cravings every single time. So grab some bread, gather your toppings, and make your kitchen the happiest place with this delicious pull apart pizza bread! You’ll be so glad you did.
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Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Pull Apart Pizza Bread is a delightful twist on classic pizza, combining crispy baguette slices layered with garlic butter, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and optional red onion and parsley. Perfect for sharing, this baked dish is easy to prepare and makes an irresistible appetizer or snack with gooey cheese and a golden crust.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1/3 cup salted butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced (or 2 if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor)
- 1 baguette/french bread, 60cm / 2 feet long (or multiple short ones)
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz / 120g pepperoni, sliced or diced (mini pepperoni works best)
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced (optional)
- 1/2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely diced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the bread stack perfectly.
- Melt Butter with Garlic: Melt the salted butter in a small pan and add the minced garlic to infuse the butter with garlic flavor, stirring gently.
- Slice the Bread: Cut the baguette into approximately 1.5 to 2 cm (about 3/5 to 4/5 inch) thick slices, resulting in about 25 slices including the ends, and lay them on your work surface.
- Brush Bread with Garlic Butter: Brush each slice generously with the garlic butter, ensuring some minced garlic is spread on each piece. Use most of the butter but reserve a little for later.
- Assemble Toppings: Spread a small amount of pizza sauce on each bread slice, then add diced red onion if using, followed by grated mozzarella cheese and finally the pepperoni slices on top in that order.
- Stack the Bread: Stack 6 or 7 slices of the prepared bread on top of each other carefully. Hold the top and bottom slices and gently place the stack vertically into a 22cm (8 inch) square baking dish. Repeat to fill the dish as desired.
- Top with Remaining Butter: Brush the top of the stacked bread with the remaining garlic butter for extra flavor and browning.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is mostly melted and the bread is heated through.
- Bake Uncovered for Crispiness: Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes to allow the bread to crisp up and turn golden brown to your liking.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of garlic to your taste—adding more will give a stronger garlic flavor.
- Using freshly grated mozzarella cheese yields a better melt and texture compared to pre-shredded versions.
- The stacking technique in a square baking dish creates a pull-apart effect, making it easy to share and enjoy.
- If you don’t have pepperoni, substitute with other cured meats or vegetables.
- To make it vegetarian, simply omit the pepperoni and increase the cheese or add veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms.
