My grandma used to smuggle rolls of crusty garlic bread into church potlucks like contraband. That smell? Unforgettable. And now, Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is having a serious momentthink cheesy, pull-apart heaven going viral for all the right reasons.
This one’s basically buttery Italian Monkey Bread collided with fluffy cheesy rolls pull apart style. We’re talking sharp cheddar, fresh garlic, and biscuit dough from the fridgezero fancy stuff needed. Like garlic knots met pizza night. Full details in the blog!
I first played with this for a Friday movie night, and the kids tore it apart like wild raccoons. I love how it channels old-school comfort food but with a twist. I tested different cheeses, a touch of spicethere’s a secret in the butter. You’ll want in!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
Perfectly Pull-Apartable: This recipe is effortlessly shareable with its soft, gooey, pull-apart layers. Ideal for gatherings or family movie nights.
Simple Ingredients: With just frozen rolls, garlic, butter, and mozzarella cheese, it’s as straightforward as it getsno fancy tools or rare ingredients needed.
Comfort Meets Nostalgia: It’s a warm hug disguised as bread. Garlic butter and melty cheese? Transporting you straight to cozy childhood dinners.
Flexible Fun: Kids can help dip the rolls, and you can tweak the spices or cheese to suit your crew’s tastes.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen. These ingredients work together to turn simple rolls into the ultimate Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread.
Adds a pop of color and a slight herbaceous flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
1/4 tsp
For a mild kick of heat, totally adjustable to taste.
Grated Mozzarella Cheese
2 cups
The star of the show! Melts into gooey, cheesy bliss.
Step-By-Step: How to Make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
Let’s break it down into easy, beginner-friendly steps. You’ll breeze through this, I promise!
Prepare the Butter: Melt the butter in a bowl, stir in minced garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). This is where the flavor magic begins.
Coat the Rolls: Dip each frozen roll generously into the garlic butter. Give them a good coat so they turn golden and crisp during baking.
Arrange in a Circle: Use a greased pan (like a pizza stone or cast iron skillet), and place the rolls in a circular pattern. Create two rows for a pretty, pull-apart shape.
Let Them Rise: Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the rolls double in size. This takes about 2–3 hoursgrab a coffee or prep your marinara dipping sauce in the meantime!
Cheese It Up: Once the rolls have risen, preheat your oven to 350°F and sprinkle the mozzarella over the top. Be generousit’s cheesy garlic bread, after all!
Bake Until Bubbly: Pop your bread in the oven for 18–24 minutes, or until golden and cheesy perfection is achieved.
Step
Timing
Pro Tip
Melting Butter & Mixing Garlic
5 minutes
Use room temp butter for quicker melting.
Coating the Rolls
5 minutes
Seriously coat every inch for ultimate flavor.
Rising
2–3 hours
Speed things up by placing the pan near a warm oven.
Baking
18–24 minutes
Check at the 18-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
Swaps, Tweaks, and Tips
This recipe is a playground for customization! Here’s how to make it your own:
Cheese Swap: Not a mozzarella fan? Try cheddar, Parmesan, or even a mix!
Add Zing: A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning or fresh rosemary can add surprise layers of flavor.
No Rhodes Rolls? Use store-bought biscuit dough instead for a shortcut. You can even try crescent roll dough for a lighter texture.
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (good luck with that!), here’s how to store and bring your cheesy garlic monkey bread back to life:
Fridge Storage: Wrap leftovers in foil or pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Freezer-Friendly: You can freeze the baked bread. Once cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: For that fresh-out-of-the-oven feel, heat in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
Storage Method
Duration
Reheat Tips
Refrigerator
3 days
Microwave for 30 seconds or heat in the oven for better texture.
Freezer
2 months
Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Expert Insight: The Science Behind Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
Cheesy garlic monkey bread combines the rich flavors of melted cheese with the aromatic punch of garlic, creating a satisfying texture contrast. The cheese not only adds creaminess but also helps retain moisture, ensuring each pull-apart piece stays tender and delicious.
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Perfecting My Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
After several rounds of sticky fingers and one too many burnt edges, I finally nailed this cheesy garlic monkey bread. Each try helped me balance gooey cheese with soft, pull-apart bread, turning a messy experiment into a cozy family favorite I’m excited to share with you today.
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is a delicious pull-apart bread made from bite-sized pieces of dough rolled in garlic butter and cheese. The dough pieces are stacked in a bundt pan and baked until golden and bubbly. It’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or party snack that everyone can easily share by pulling apart the cheesy, garlicky pieces.
How long does it take to make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread?
This garlic bread monkey bread typically takes about 45-60 minutes from start to finish. The prep time is around 15-20 minutes to cut the dough and coat it in garlic butter and cheese. Baking time is usually 30-40 minutes depending on your oven and the size of your bundt pan.
Can I use store-bought dough for monkey bread?
Absolutely! Store-bought biscuit dough, pizza dough, or frozen bread dough work perfectly for this recipe. These convenient options make it one of the easiest things to make with dough when you want delicious results without the hassle of making dough from scratch. Just cut the dough into pieces, coat with garlic butter and cheese, then bake.
What type of cheese works best for cheesy monkey bread?
Mozzarella cheese is the top choice because it melts beautifully and creates those satisfying cheese pulls. You can also mix in parmesan for extra flavor, or try cheddar for a sharper taste. For the best results with cheesy rolls pull apart style, use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded, as it melts more smoothly.
How do I store leftover monkey bread?
Store leftover Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight and reheat in the oven for the best texture.
Wrapping Up Your Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Adventure
You’ll love how this Garlic Bread Monkey Bread comes outooey, gooey, and utterly irresistible in under an hour! Soft, cheesy layers meet buttery, garlicky bliss that turns simple rolls with cheese inside into the ultimate cozy treat. Perfect for weekend baking or any night you crave homemade comfort.
Feel free to swap cheeses or sprinkle a little fresh herb magic for a personal twist. I always keep leftovers wrapped tightreheat ’em gently, and they taste fresh as ever (a trick from a pro baker I trust). Plus, freezing works great when life gets busy.
Did this Italian Monkey Bread bring back any food memories, or inspire your own kitchen creations? Snap a pic, share your twists, and pass this recipe to anyone who loves fun, family-friendly cooking. Trust me, you’ll wanna make it again and againhappy baking, friends!
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is a delicious Italian Monkey Bread that’s soft, buttery, and loaded with gooey mozzarella. This Cheesy Bread Ring is perfect as an appetizer or side dish. It’s one of those Things To Make With Dough that everyone will love, especially as Garlic Bread Pull Apart.
Ingredients
Scale
20 Rhodes Frozen Dinner Rolls
6 to 8 Tablespoons Salted Butter melted
3 Garlic Cloves minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian Parsley optional
1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese grated
Instructions
Prepare the Garlic Butter: Begin by melting the salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the minced garlic to the butter and dried parsley if using and mix.
Dip the Rolls: Take each frozen dinner roll and dip it into the garlic butter, ensuring it’s fully coated. The butter not only adds flavor but also helps create a golden, crispy crust.
Arrange in a Circular Pattern: Spray the chosen pan pizza stone cast iron skillet baking sheet etc with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the dipped rolls in a circular pattern on your chosen pan making two rows. Place them close enough that when they rise they will rise vertical. This layout ensures even baking and makes the monkey bread easy to pull apart when it’s time to serve.
Let the Rolls Rise: Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place until they have doubled in size. This usually takes about 2-3 hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen. This takes about 90 minutes in a hot location.
Add the Cheese: Once the rolls have risen preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the rolls making sure each one is covered in cheesy goodness. For a touch of spice sprinkle with pepper flakes.
Bake Until Bubbly: Bake the monkey bread for 18-24 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
Serve with Marinara Sauce. Serve the garlic pull apart bread warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
