This homemade garlic cheese bread combines fluffy, tender bread with aromatic garlic butter and melted mozzarella cheese to create the perfect comfort food. With its golden-brown exterior and pull-apart design, this garlic bread recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. Whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or satisfying snack, this cheesy garlic bread will become a family favorite that brings everyone to the table.
Ingredients
For the Bread Dough:
- 125g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 5g (1 teaspoon) active dry yeast
- 12g (1 tablespoon) granulated sugar
- 3g (1/2 teaspoon) salt
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) vegetable oil
- 110ml (1/2 cup) lukewarm milk
For the Garlic Butter:
- 30g (2 tablespoons) butter, softened
- 10g (2 teaspoons) fresh garlic, minced
- 2g (1/4 teaspoon) salt
- 1g (1/4 teaspoon) black pepper powder
For the Topping:
- 100g (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1-2 fresh green chilies, finely chopped
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Phase
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a round baking dish or cast iron skillet with parchment paper. Ensure your milk is lukewarm, approximately 37°C (98°F), to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5-8 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates that your yeast is active and ready to work.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough Base
Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and vegetable oil to the activated yeast mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix all ingredients until they come together to form a rough dough.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead vigorously for 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch. The proper kneading develops gluten structure, ensuring your garlic bread has the perfect texture.
Step 4: First Rise
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free location for 30 minutes until it doubles in size.
Step 5: Prepare Garlic Butter
While the dough rises, prepare the garlic butter mixture. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper powder. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth and fragrant.
Step 6: Shape the Bread
Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release air bubbles. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a circle approximately 20cm (8 inches) in diameter and 1.5cm (1/2 inch) thick.
Step 7: Cut the Dough
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, make deep cuts through the dough in a crosshatch pattern, creating squares approximately 5cm (2 inches) each. Cut almost to the bottom but leave the base intact so the bread holds together.
Step 8: Apply Garlic Butter
Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture into all the cuts and over the surface of the bread. Use your fingers or a small spoon to ensure the garlic butter penetrates deeply into each crevice.
Step 9: Add Cheese and Chilies
Stuff shredded mozzarella cheese into the cuts between the bread pieces. Sprinkle any remaining cheese over the top surface. Add finely chopped green chilies evenly throughout the cuts for a subtle heat that complements the garlic.
Step 10: Final Shaping
Gently pull apart some of the cuts slightly to create more space for the cheese to melt and bubble. This creates the characteristic pull-apart appearance that makes this garlic cheese bread so appealing.
Step 11: Bake to Perfection
Place the prepared bread in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature should reach 88°C (190°F) for fully cooked bread.
Step 12: Cool and Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm while the cheese is still stretchy and the garlic butter is aromatic.
Nutritional Information and Timing
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Rising Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Serving Size: 1 piece
Nutritional Information per Serving:
- Calories: 185
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Sodium: 285mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 1.2mg
This garlic cheese bread provides a good source of carbohydrates for energy, protein from cheese and flour, and calcium for bone health. The moderate calorie content makes it suitable as a side dish or light meal component.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Herb-Infused Version
Add 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil, and thyme to the garlic butter mixture. Fresh herbs can be substituted using 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs for every teaspoon of dried herbs.
Whole Wheat Healthy Option
Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nutrients. You may need to add an extra tablespoon of milk to compensate for the wheat flour’s higher absorption rate.
Vegan-Friendly Alternative
Substitute dairy milk with unsweetened plant-based milk, replace butter with vegan butter alternative, and use nutritional yeast or vegan mozzarella cheese for the topping.
Spicy Jalapeño Version
Replace green chilies with pickled jalapeño slices and add 1/4 teaspoon of paprika to the garlic butter for extra heat and smoky flavor.
Mediterranean Style
Add sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, and crumbled feta cheese along with the mozzarella. Include dried rosemary in the garlic butter for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
Cheesy Trio Upgrade
Combine mozzarella with cheddar and parmesan cheeses for a more complex flavor. Use equal parts of each cheese for the best melting and taste combination.
Gluten-Free Adaptation
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for bread making. Add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum if not included in your flour blend to improve texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance. After the first rise, punch down the dough, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to use, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping and proceeding with the recipe.
Why is my bread dense instead of fluffy?
Dense bread typically results from inactive yeast, over-kneading, or insufficient rising time. Ensure your yeast is fresh and properly activated, knead only until smooth, and allow adequate time for rising in a warm environment. Cold temperatures or expired yeast are common culprits.
Can I freeze leftover garlic cheese bread?
Absolutely! Wrap cooled bread tightly in aluminum foil or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and cheese re-melts.
What’s the best way to reheat garlic cheese bread?
For best results, reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5-8 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, which can make the bread chewy and the cheese rubbery. Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly during reheating.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, instant yeast can be substituted directly without activation. Simply mix it with the dry ingredients and proceed with the recipe. Instant yeast may work slightly faster, so watch for the dough to double in size, which might happen in 20-25 minutes instead of 30.
This homemade garlic cheese bread recipe creates an irresistible combination of flavors and textures that rivals any restaurant version. The pull-apart design makes it perfect for sharing, while the aromatic garlic butter and melted cheese ensure every bite is absolutely delicious.