There’s something undeniably magical about tearing into a warm, golden loaf of Roasted Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread. The moment you pull apart those buttery, cheesy layers—steam escaping and that savory aroma filling the air—you know you're in for a treat. This bread is more than a side dish. It’s the centerpiece that gets people talking at the table. Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday gathering or planning a cozy Christmas eve dinner, this garlicky, cheesy bread fits right in among the best Christmas appetizers finger foods. It’s rustic, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying—exactly what you want during the holidays.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Oven To roast the garlic and bake the bread
Baking dish or Bundt pan A 9-inch round baking dish works well, but for a festive shape, a Bundt pan creates a beautiful wreath-like form
Mixing bowls At least two for dough and mixing butter mixture
Pastry Brush For brushing butter on the dough
Aluminum foil To roast the garlic
Sharp knife For cutting the dough (if using homemade)
Bench scraper or kitchen scissors Helpful for dividing dough
For the Roasted Garlic
- 2 whole garlic bulbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of salt
For the Dough (you can also use store-bought frozen dinner roll dough or biscuit dough if short on time)
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water 110°F
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For the Filling and Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Roasted garlic from above
Roast the Garlic
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the garlic bulbs to expose the cloves slightly. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Wrap tightly in foil and roast for 35–40 minutes until the garlic is soft and caramelized. Let it cool before squeezing the garlic out of the skins and mashing it into a paste.
Make the Dough (Skip if using store-bought)
In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Stir in melted butter, salt, and flour. Knead for about 7–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with roasted garlic paste, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, parsley, and red pepper flakes if using.
Assemble the Bread
If using homemade dough, punch it down and divide it into 1.5-inch balls. If using store-bought biscuit dough, quarter each biscuit. Dip each dough piece in the garlic butter mixture, then place into the prepared Bundt pan (or baking dish), layering with shredded mozzarella in between the layers.
Final Rise
Cover the assembled bread loosely and let it rise again for about 20–30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F (175°C).
Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. The top should be beautifully crusty and the cheese bubbling.
Serve
Let it cool slightly before inverting (if using a Bundt pan). Sprinkle with additional parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve warm and let everyone dig in by hand—this is pull-apart bread, after all.
Pairings
This Roasted Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread is incredibly versatile and can stand alone as one of your easy christmas appetizers for a party or complement a larger spread. For a complete party platter, surround the bread with thinly sliced cured meats, olives, cherry tomatoes, and marinated artichokes for a twist on a christmas charcuterie board. If you’re planning a sit-down meal, this bread pairs beautifully with hearty dishes like beef tenderloin, baked ziti, or creamy soups like roasted tomato basil or wild mushroom.
For drinks, offer something bubbly—Prosecco, sparkling cider, or even a cranberry gin fizz add festive flair. As a non-alcoholic option, try rosemary-infused lemonade or spiced apple cider to echo the cozy Christmas vibe.
FAQs
1. What kind of garlic should I use?
Whole garlic bulbs work best for roasting. Choose firm, plump bulbs with tight skins. The roasting process mellows the garlic’s sharpness and brings out a rich, nutty flavor that’s key to this bread.
2. Can I use pre-minced garlic instead?
You can, but it won’t give the same depth of flavor. Roasted whole garlic cloves become soft, sweet, and spreadable—perfect for mixing into butter. If you're short on time, sauté minced garlic in butter for a few minutes until golden.
3. What dough works best for pull-apart bread?
Homemade yeast dough is the gold standard for texture and flavor, but store-bought biscuit or frozen roll dough is a great shortcut, especially when juggling multiple christmas party food ideas appetizers.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the bread the night before and refrigerate it (covered). Let it come to room temperature and rise a bit more before baking. It’s an excellent time-saver if you’re prepping for a Christmas eve appetizers table or a larger buffet.
5. Should I use fresh or grated Parmesan?
Freshly grated Parmesan gives better melt and flavor. Pre-grated works in a pinch but might be drier and less creamy. If you’re going all out for your christmas dinner appetizers, go with fresh cheese.
