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Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread

Published March 15th 2012 Updated December 26th 2023

This Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread is the irresistible savory cousin to monkey bread. It’s made using frozen dinner rolls doused in butter then coated with Parmesan cheese and garlic, of course. It can be baked in all sorts of shapes and each one spells delicious!

Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Pull Apart Bread

Easy Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread Recipe

For this Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread recipe, I bake it in a standard size loaf pan to resemble a loaf of bread, but you can make this bread into any shape you like, tips to follow.There’s no such thing as too much cheese so add more if that’s your pleasure. Serve it straight from the pan brushed with more melted butter on top for the shine. How to make easy Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Rolls: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Rolls – Remove the frozen dinner rolls from the freezer and allow to sit on the counter just until they have thawed enough to cut. Use a sharp knife to quarter.
  • Butter – Melt butter in a medium size microwave safe bowl using the melt function. Once melted, add granulated garlic, parsley, salt, basil and onion powder. Mix well. Add the quartered rolls to the butter, and toss gently to coat.
  • Cheese – Add Parmesan-Romano cheese to the rolls. Gently mix until each piece is evenly coated.
  • Layer Rolls – Spray a 9 or 10 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Layer the dough quarters evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  • Let Rise – Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Allow to rise in a warm draft free place for 2-2 1/2 hours.
  • Bake – Remove plastic wrap and bake in a preheated oven per the recipe until the center is completely done. (Approximately, 23-25 minutes total, depending on your oven.)
  • Serve – Melt remaining butter in the microwave. Add fresh parsley, mix to combine.
  • Brush top with herb butter then serve.
Garlic-Parmesan-Pull-Apart-Rolls

How to Make the BEST Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Rolls:16 frozen white dinner rolls i.e. Rhodes or similar brand, melted butter, grated Parmesan-Romano cheese, dry parsley flakes, granulated garlic or garlic powder, salt, dried basil or Italian seasoning and onion powder.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: One 9 or 10 inch loaf pan, medium bowl, small bowl, sharp knife and cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, pastry brush and cheese grater.
  • This bread should be baked in a larger loaf pan. You can also separate and bake two 8 inch pans of bread. When doing so, they loaves won’t take as long to bake.
  • You can use your favorite brand of unbaked frozen dinner rolls for this recipe. Make sure you choose frozen dough rounds not heat and serve dinner rolls.
  • The butter for this recipe can be salted or unsalted.
  • It’s helpful to allow the rolls just a few minutes to thaw prior to cutting into quarters. They should still be cold, don’t be tempted to wait too long or they will begin to rise and the bread won’t work.
  • Use a large enough bowl for melting the butter in the microwave that will double as the mixing bowl.
  • Store leftover rolls chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Gently reheat in the microwave.
Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread Recipe in a Springform Pan

If you’re someone who loves for all of the rolls to have that crispy golden top, I highly recommend making the pull apart rolls in a round 9-inch springform or deep dish pie pan. Using a springform pan, the bread pieces are arranged side by side so, all of the rolls will get that crispy golden topping. To make these pull apart rolls in a springform pan this is what you do:

  • Follow the same preparation method as listed in the recipe.
  • Spray a 9 or 10 inch springform pan with cooking spray. Arrange rolls side by side in the pan. You could also use a 9 inch square pan.
  • Bake them for around 22-24 minutes or until golden and the rolls are cooked through.
  • You can also increase the Parmesan cheese a bit with this batch, since there’s no way you can ever go wrong adding a little extra Parmesan cheese.
  • Whether you bake this in a loaf pan or a springform pan, make sure you brush the top with extra butter just before serving.
Garlic Parmesan Cheese Pull Apart Bread

More Southern Style Rolls and Bread Recipes to Make

This bread is perfectly delicious served straight from the oven with a meal. As an appetizer,it’s especially good with a warm homemade pizza sauce or spinach artichoke dip on the side for party snacking.Fully expect this bread to begin to disappear as soon as you take it from the oven. Other pull apart bread recipes you may like to try:

Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Pull Apart Bread

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

Garlic-Parmesan Pull Apart Bread

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Rise time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: garlic-parmesan-cheese-pull-apart-rolls
Servings: 16 [4 pieces each]
Calories: 187kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 16 frozen white dinner rolls i.e. Rhodes or similar
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dry parsley flakes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2/3 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese, plus 1/4 cup divided use
  • 2 Tbsp salted or unsalted butter melted
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

Instructions

  • Rolls: Remove the frozen dinner rolls from the freezer and place onto a plate. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to sit on the counter for 20-30 minutes just until they have thawed enough to cut.
  • Place the rolls onto a cutting board, and using a sharp knife cut each roll into quarters.
  • Melt butter in a medium size microwave safe bowl using the melt function. Once melted, add granulated garlic, parsley, salt, basil and onion powder. Mix well.
  • Add the quartered rolls to the butter, and toss gently to coat.
  • Cheese: Add 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan-Romano cheese to the rolls. Gently mix until each piece is evenly coated.
  • Let Rise: Spray a 9 or 10 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Layer the dough quarters evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top.
  • Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Allow to rise in a warm draft free place for 2-2 1/2 hours.
  • Bake: Remove plastic wrap and preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 18-20 minutes, then check the top. Lay a piece of aluminum foil on the top of the bread to prevent the cheese and butter on top from overbrowning. Continue to bake the bread for another 5-7 minutes or until the center is completely done. (Approximately, 23-25 minutes total, depending on your oven.)
  • Test the center of the rolls using a cake tester, or toothpick to be certain the bread is cooked all the way through before removing it from the oven.
  • In a small bowl melt 2 Tbsp butter in the microwave. Add fresh parsley, mix to combine.
  • Brush top with butter then serve immediately.

Notes

Additional Baking Options: Bake this bread in a bundt pan, 2 smaller loaf pans, Individual size in standard muffin cups [4 pieces in each] 8×8 baking dish, 9 inch round spring form or pie pan, 8 inch tart pan. 
To Make in a Springform Pan:
  • Follow the same preparation method as listed in the recipe.
  • Spray a  9 or 10 inch springform pan with cooking spray. Arrange rolls side by side in the pan. 
  • Bake them for around 22-24 minutes or until golden and the rolls are cooked through.
  • You can also increase the Parmesan cheese a bit with this batch, if desired. 
  • Whether you bake this in a loaf pan or a springform pan, brush the top with extra butter at the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

161 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We can’t have Italian pasta night without these anymore. Sometimes I cheat and use a can of refrigerator biscuits, cutting each into fourths. I also have trouble getting the middle ones to get done before the edges get over-done. Still working that one out, but I started using a round 9 in cake pan and they fit nicely in almost a single layer which helps, yet you still get to pull them apart because I sprinkle some mozzarella on top before throwing in the oven. You can NEVER have too much cheese 😉 Could make a meal for myself with these and some warm Marinara.

  2. 5 stars
    I just made these rolls for the first time! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out so good! The family really loved it. I will make again!

  3. You mention adding more butter at the end….do you mean after you have put them in the pan, or after they have finished baking? Or both cuz butter is delicious!

  4. This looks delicious & I would love to try itIf I don’t have Rhoads rolls, can I make homemade rolls? If so, do you have a recipe suggestion?

    1. Sure, you can make these using any brand of frozen dinner rolls. You can also use homemade rolls, search the recipe index I have several recipes for homemade dinner rolls.

  5. 5 stars
    Made this for New Year’s Eve. So easy and it was soooooooo good!! I made it in a bundt pan like it stated in “Additional baking options”. I also made a little side cup of the seasoned butter mixture for the extra butter loving people in my family…lol. But it was plenty flavorful and buttery without!! This will be on our list for next family get together. Thank you Melissa!!

  6. This looks delicious! Can this be prepared beforehand then, either before or after rising, be placed covered in the fridge and baked the next day? Also what would the bake time be for baking in a muffin tin? Thank you for the great recipe!

    1. It can be assembled per the recipe and placed into the fridge. Allow them time to rise on the counter before baking. This recipe is designed for baking in a loaf or a springform pan so, I’m not certain if all of your questions apply to the recipe as written or smaller portions. If you want to bake in smaller amounts, the baking time would at least need to be halved. Adjust from there depending on how your oven bakes.

  7. 5 stars
    It is a real crowd pleaser. I have made it 3 times for pot-luck dinners and it always goes first.

    1. I’m not sure it would be a huge issue with these as the dough is already made. That said, they may require a bit more baking time.

  8. I halved the recipe and baked it in a 9-inch cast iron skillet, and it was the perfect bread to accompany our pepperoni-stuffed chicken dinner. The parmesan cheese crisped up beautifully around the edges, and the center of the rolls were soft and fluffy. Next time I’ll probably keep the rolls whole rather than quartering them, but otherwise, I’ll prepare them as directed. Thank you for this lovely recipe!

  9. These rolls are to die for! Right out of the oven to the breadbasket they disappeared in minutes! I did not have a springform pan and used 9 inch round greased. It worked fine. I added 5-10 minutes for my rolls to all be golden brown .

  10. I think you should have the melted butter/seasoning mix all ready when you are quartering the thawed rolls so that you can just drop them into the mix to coat. My pieces had all stuck together by the time I fixed the butter, etc.

    1. Sounds like they sat too long to defrost. Do what works for you but, I recommend following the recipe.

  11. Holy Cannoli Batman! This was wicked good. I only had 12 rolls in the freezer (I’d been making monkey bread for my peeps home over the holidays). I thought my pan was 8″ but otherwise kept everything the same. I mean more butter, spices, cheese… that can only be more goodness, right? Turns out my pan was 9″ but I went on and it turned out amazeballs! It’s just the hubby and me now so dinner can be anything from beef burgundy to scrambled eggs. 🙂 I served this with warm pizza sauce for dipping (because it’s all about the sauce), and some fresh cut apples (because I have to maintain the illusion of healthy). This was crazy good, I mean moaning and slurping good! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Peace and blessings!

  12. I was wondering about the cheese. Is it 2/3 cup each grated Romano and Parmesan or a mixture of both. Sorry if this is a stupid question

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