Pull apart cheese bread is so simple to make with sourdough bread. The bread is stuffed with garlic butter and cheese that's melted to perfection in the oven. It's an easy appetizer for holiday parties!

If you're looking for a fun and beautiful way to serve cheesy garlic bread, look no further! You'll love how easy it is to take a loaf of sourdough and turn it into a stunning party appetizer.
Ingredients needed
- bread: Homemade sourdough bread is our personal favorite (obviously), but a fresh loaf of sourdough or Italian bread from the store will be delicious.
- butter: Salted or unsalted works great.
- garlic powder: Garlic powder gives a rich deep flavor to the butter but freshly minced garlic can be used with delicious results.
- cheese: We chose freshly grated parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese but you can use your favorite varieties if desired.
- fresh herbs: We love chopped parsley but rosemary or thyme would be equally amazing, so feel free to experiment with different herbs!

Step by step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the loaf of bread on a diagonal into 1" slices, turn the loaf a quarter turn and repeat to make a diamond grid. (Make sure that you do not cut all the way to the bottom of the loaf.) Place the loaf onto a piece of foil on a baking sheet.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the garlic powder. Use a pastry brush to coat the inside surfaces of the slices with the melted garlic butter and stuff the cracks with the shredded cheese and chopped parsley. Wrap the loaf in the foil and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes covered in the foil, uncover the top and bake an additional 10 minutes.

When the bread is done, it will be warm and the cheeses will be melted.
This bread is best enjoyed hot, so serve the pull apart cheese bread right away with a side of marinara or pizza sauce!

Tips for success
- knife: Use a sharp serrated knife when slicing crusty artisan style loafs for best results.
- cheese: Do not use pre-shredded cheese because it contains a coating that keeps the shreds separated. This coating also causes melted cheese to become clumpy. Shred your own cheese for the best results.
- dairy free option: The butter and cheese can be replaced with vegan butter and vegan cheeses if you are looking for a dairy free garlic cheese bread.
- make ahead: Assemble this pull apart garlic cheese bread together a day ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to bake.
Recommended kitchen tools
- serrated knife (affiliate link)
More easy sourdough recipes
You'll love these easy sourdough recipes to make anytime of the year!

Pull-Apart Cheese Bread Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 loaf crusty bread (sourdough or Italian )
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce for dipping)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Using a sharp, serrated knife, cut a diamond pattern into the top of the bread making sure that the knife doesn't go all the way through to the bottom of the loaf. Each slice should be about an inch wide. Place a piece of foil on top of a baking sheet and place the loaf onto the foil.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder. Remove from the heat and use a pastry brush to coat the cracks and exterior of the bread. Fill the cracks with shredded cheese and parsley and wrap the loaf in the foil.
- Bake the loaf for 30 minutes, unwrap the top of the loaf and bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
NOTES
- make ahead: Assemble this pull apart cheese bread together a day ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to bake.
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