Name: Garlic Bread Cheesy Bites
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients: 1 loaf of soft bread or pizza dough; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 3 tbsp butter, melted; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper

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There’s something so comforting about the smell of garlic and butter wafting through the kitchen — it feels like home, doesn’t it? For me, these little garlic bread cheesy bites are the kind of snack you make when you want something warm, melty, and just a little indulgent. The kind of thing you pull apart with your hands, cheese stretching between your fingers while everyone around the table fights over the last one.

I started making these on a rainy evening when I didn’t want a full meal but needed something cozy. I had some leftover pizza dough in the fridge, a bit of mozzarella, and honestly, I just couldn’t resist. A few tweaks later — and suddenly, these became one of my favorite comfort foods. They’re soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and every bite has that perfect mix of garlic, butter, and gooey cheese that makes you sigh a little with happiness.

You don’t need anything fancy here. Just simple ingredients, a little love, and a good appetite. Serve them straight out of the oven, maybe with some marinara for dipping — or honestly, just by themselves. They’re the kind of thing that disappears fast, so don’t expect leftovers.

Ingredients

1 loaf of soft bread or pizza dough
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the dough:
Roll out your bread or pizza dough into a large rectangle — don’t stress about perfection here.

3. Make the garlic butter:
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.

4. Assemble the bites:
Brush half of that buttery mixture all over the dough. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly, then cut the dough into small squares. Roll each one into a ball, tucking the cheese inside.

5. Bake:
Place them on the baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each. Brush the tops with the rest of the garlic butter. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden and fragrant.

6. Serve:
Serve warm and soft, with marinara if you like — but honestly, they’re perfect just as they are.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely. That’s what I usually do when I’m not in the mood to make dough from scratch. It works great — soft, fluffy, and ready in no time.

2. What if I don’t have mozzarella?
Use whatever melty cheese you have! Cheddar gives it a sharper flavor, provolone is great, and even a bit of cream cheese inside makes it ridiculously gooey.

3. Can I make them ahead of time?
You can assemble them earlier, refrigerate, and bake when you’re ready. Just don’t brush with butter until just before baking — that way, they stay soft and fresh.

4. How do I keep them warm for serving?
Pop them in a warm oven (around 150°F or 65°C) until ready to serve. They stay soft and cheesy without drying out.

5. Can I turn this into a pull-apart bread?
Oh yes. Just layer the dough balls close together in a baking dish instead of separating them. When it’s done, you’ll have a golden, cheesy pull-apart loaf that everyone can dig into.