Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread
This Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread is the savory, irresistible cousin of classic monkey bread. Made with frozen dinner rolls, each piece is drenched in buttery goodness and generously coated with Parmesan cheese and garlic. Whether baked in a bundt pan, skillet, or loaf pan, this pull-apart bread delivers flavor in every bite and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish for family dinner.
Ingredients to Make Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for a delicious garlic bread recipe without making homemade bread, this recipe is for you. When I make this Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread, I love baking it in a loaf pan, it looks just like a regular loaf of bread, but way more fun to eat. That said, you can bake it in any shape you like, there’s no wrong way to enjoy cheesy, garlic bread! And when it comes to Parmesan, the sky’s the limit so pile it on, if you’re feeling extra! Serve it straight from the oven, golden brown and bubbly, with a buttery brush on top for that drool-worthy shine.
Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make easy Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Rolls: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)
- Dough – 16 frozen unbaked white dinner rolls i.e. Rhodes rolls or a similar brand from the grocery store, forms the base of the bread.
- Butter – Melted unsalted butter gives the breads a rich flavor.
- Cheese – Finely grated Parmesan-Romano cheese.
- Seasonings – Dry parsley flakes, granulated garlic or garlic powder, salt, dried basil or Italian seasoning and onion powder.
How to Make Easy Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread Recipe
- Thaw the 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.
- Make the Seasoned Garlic Butter – Melt butter in a medium-size (or large) 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.
- Coat Balls of Dough with Parmesan Cheese – Add Parmesan-Romano cheese to the balls of bread dough. Gently stir until each piece is evenly coated.
- Layer the Rolls in the Prepared Pan – Spray a large 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 and let rise.
- Oven – Remove plastic wrap and bake in a preheated oven per the recipe until the center is completely done.
- Brush top with herb butter and serve.
Kitchen Equipment to Make Garlic Parmesan Bread
- One 9-inch or 10-inch loaf pan.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Sharp knife and cutting board to prep the rolls dough.
- Pastry brush for brushing butter on the top of the tolls.
- Cheese grater for finely grating the cheese.
- One Large Bowl for melting the butter. I’m all about saving time in the kitchen so I like to use a large bowl for melting the butter and it can double as the mixing bowl.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Frozen Rolls – Feel free to use your favorite brand of unbaked frozen dinner rolls for this recipe, just make sure they’re the raw dough kind, not the heat-and-serve variety. Want a shortcut? You can swap in canned biscuits instead, no rising time needed and still totally delicious!
- Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter. I typically recommend using unsalted as the Parmesan cheese will add plenty of saltiness to the flavor.
- Garlic Cloves – You could add 1-2 minced garlic cloves to amp up the flavor even more.
- Herbs – You can easily swap in fresh parsley or chives for the dried parsley if you prefer. That said, dried herbs work beautifully in this recipe and bring plenty of flavor to the garlic-herb butter.
- Thaw the Rolls Slightly – The dough will start to thaw quickly, so it’s important to let it soften just enough to make cutting it into quarters easier. It should still be cold to the touch—don’t wait too long, or it will begin to rise, which can affect how the bread bakes.
- Serving Suggestions – Serve these rolls as a savory side dish, especially alongside classics like soup, pasta, stew, baked ziti, lasagna or spaghetti.
- Serve as an Appetizer – They also make a fantastic appetizer or snack, perfect for dipping into warm marinara or pizza sauce or a light drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory twist.
- Use with Dips – Fresh from the oven, this warm bread is irresistibly delicious with any meal, but it really shines at parties when paired with dips like creamy spinach artichoke dip or marry me chicken dip. Don’t be surprised if it starts disappearing the moment you set it out!
Alternate Shapes and Pans
- Loaf Pan – This pull-apart bread is best baked in a 9 or 10-inch loaf pan. Alternatively, you can divide the dough between two standard 8-inch loaf pans to make smaller loaves. Just keep in mind that smaller loaves will bake faster, so be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Alternate 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 9-inch round spring form or 10-inch pie pan, 8-inch tart pan or a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
- Additional Baking Options – Bake this bread in a bundt pan like monkey bread, individual size in a standard size muffin pan (4 pieces in each well baking for 20-25 minutes) or a square 8×8-inch baking dish.
Storage and Leftovers
- Leftovers – Store leftover Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread in an airtight container or wrapped in foil chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating – Gently reheat rolls in individual servings in the microwave or in a preheated 350°F oven just until heated through.
- Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.
More Easy Rolls and Bread Recipes to Make
Looking for more pull apart bread to enjoy?
- Pull Apart Pepperoni Breadsticks are always a hit with the kiddos.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pull Apart Rolls have been pinned more than 1 million times!
- Pull Apart Cinnamon Sugar Breadsticks come with a dreamy cream cheese dip.
- Pull Apart Sausage Egg and Cheese Rolls for a delicious brunch option.
- Use a fluffy inexpensive loaf of bread to make this Supreme Pizza Pull Apart Bread.
- For dessert serve Praline Pecan Monkey Bread dripping with caramel sauce.
- Italian Sausage Bubble Bread is perfect for snacking or entertaining.
- For a sweet pull apart bread option, checkout this recipe for Praline Pull Apart Bread from My Recipes.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread
Servings: 16 (4 pieces each)
Calories: 187kcal
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 at room temperature on the counter for 15-minutes, or just until thawed enough to quarter.
- Place the balls of dough onto a cutting board, and using a sharp knife cut each roll into quarters.
- Melt butter in a large microwave safe bowl using the melt function. Once melted, add granulated garlic, parsley, salt, basil and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Add the quartered pieces of dough to the garlic-herb butter, and toss gently to coat.
- Cheese: Add 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan-Romano cheese to the balls of dough. Gently toss until each piece is evenly coated.
- Let Rise: Liberally spray a large 9 or 10-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Layer the dough quarters evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan Romano 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 and the top is golden brown. (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 from the oven.
- In a small bowl melt 2 Tbsp butter in the microwave. Add fresh parsley, stir to combine.
- Brush top of the rolls with butter mixture then pull apart and serve.
- To Make in a Springform Pan:Follow the same preparation method as listed in the recipe.Liberally spray a 9 or 10-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange rolls side by side in the pan. Bake for about 22-24 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls are cooked through.You can also increase the Parmesan cheese a bit, if desired. Whether you bake this in a loaf pan or a springform pan, brush the top with extra butter at the end.
Notes
- Frozen Rolls – Feel free to use your favorite brand of unbaked frozen dinner rolls for this recipe, just make sure they’re the raw dough kind, not the heat-and-serve variety. Want a shortcut? You can swap in canned biscuits instead, no rising time needed and still totally delicious!
- Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter. I typically recommend using unsalted as the Parmesan cheese will add plenty of saltiness to the flavor.
- Garlic Cloves – You could add 1-2 minced garlic cloves to amp up the flavor even more.
- Herbs – You can easily swap in fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary or chives for the dried parsley, if you prefer. That said, dried herbs work beautifully in this recipe and bring plenty of flavor to the garlic-herb butter.
- Thaw the Rolls Slightly – The dough will start to thaw quickly, so it’s important to let it soften just enough to make cutting it into quarters easier. It should still be cold to the touch—don’t wait too long, or it will begin to rise, which can affect how the bread bakes.
- Loaf Pan – This pull-apart bread is best baked in a 9 or 10-inch loaf pan. Alternatively, you can divide the dough between two standard 8-inch loaf pans to make smaller loaves. Just keep in mind that smaller loaves will bake faster, so be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Alternate 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 9-inch round spring form or 10-inch pie pan, 8-inch tart pan or a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
- Additional Baking Options – Bake this bread in a bundt pan like monkey bread, individual size in a standard size muffin pan (4 pieces in each well) or a square 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Serving Suggestions – Serve these rolls as a savory side dish, especially alongside classics like soup, pasta, stew, baked ziti, lasagna or spaghetti.
- Serve as an Appetizer – They also make a fantastic appetizer or snack, perfect for dipping into warm marinara or pizza sauce or a light drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory twist.
- Use with Dips – Fresh from the oven, this warm bread is irresistibly delicious with any meal, but it really shines at parties when paired with dips like creamy spinach artichoke dip or marry me chicken dip. Don’t be surprised if it starts disappearing the moment you set it out!
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!
What is the best way to reheat if I need to bake ahead of time?
You can reheat in a 325°F oven covered with foil until warmed.
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.
Hi Jess, I’m so happy you’re enjoying these. Thank you so much!
Amazing and easy
Can I use the Rhodes frozen loaf dough instead of the frozen rolls?
Sure, just divide it into even portions.
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!
Thanks so much, Barbara!
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!
Both! ☺
If you make homemade rolls, do you still need to freeze them?
No need to freeze at all.
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?
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.
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!!
That makes me happy thanks, Janelle!
Can you use fresh garlic instead of power garlic?
Garlic powder works best in this but, you can certainly adapt it, if you prefer.
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!
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.
It is a real crowd pleaser. I have made it 3 times for pot-luck dinners and it always goes first.
Wonderful, thank you!
Any advise on high altitude adjustments? Thanks!
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.
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!
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 .
Glad you loved these they are so delicious, thanks!
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.
Sounds like they sat too long to defrost. Do what works for you but, I recommend following the recipe.
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!
Loved your note, thanks Michelle!
Can mozzarella cheese also be used in this recipe?
Sure!
Is the cheese you use the dry kind (like in the green can) or fresh (from the dairy dept)? Thanks!
I typically grate my own but, you can use whichever you like both will work.
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
It’s 2/3 cup of a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese total not 2/3 cup of each.