Cheesy Garlic Bread is the ultimate side or snack for anyone who loves soft, buttery bread loaded with gooey cheese and a delightful hint of garlic. Whether you’re serving it alongside a hearty pasta, dishing it out for party appetizers, or simply enjoying it as an indulgent snack, this cheesy bread dish will have you savoring every warm, comforting bite. If you’ve been searching for an easy yet impressive bread recipe, look no further!

I recall making Cheesy Garlic Bread on a cold evening when my husband was craving something warm and carb-y, while our little one pleaded for anything with “lots of cheese!” As the dough rose in the corner of my kitchen, the entire house filled with the aroma of yeast and butter. But the real show began once I smeared it with garlic butter and topped it with plenty of mozzarella. It emerged from the oven golden, bubbly, and oh-so-irresistible. One bite sealed the deal for my family—gooey, soft, garlicky bread became the new favorite on our dinner table!

Why this Cheesy Bread Dish

• Easy, Foolproof Dough: Even beginners can nail this dough—no tricky steps or special tools.
• Garlicky Goodness: Butter, minced garlic, and fresh herbs fuse to create a robust flavor.
• Cheesy Perfection: Two types of cheese (or more!) melt into each bite for extra indulgence.
• Versatile Side or Snack: Pairs beautifully with pasta, soup, salad—or enjoy on its own dipped in marinara.

Ingredients (grams/pounds)

(Yields ~12 breadsticks or pieces)

For the Dough

• Warm Water: 180 ml (~0.75 cup)
• Granulated Sugar: 1 tsp (~4 g)
• Active Dry Yeast: 1⅛ tsp (~4 g)
• Olive Oil: 1½ tbsp (~22 ml)
• Salt: ¾ tsp (~4 g)
• White Vinegar: ½ tsp (~2.5 ml) (optional, aids tenderness)
• All-Purpose Flour: ~240–300 g (~0.53–0.66 lb), as needed for a soft dough

For the Topping

• Butter, melted: 1½ tbsp (~22 g)
• Garlic Cloves: 2, minced
• Parmesan Cheese: ~30 g (~0.07 lb), grated
• Mozzarella Cheese: ~140 g (~0.3 lb), shredded or sliced
• Salt & Pepper: to taste
• Dried Herbs (oregano, basil): optional for extra flavor

How to Cheesy Bread Dish

1. Activate Yeast
   • Mix warm water (about 110°F/43°C), sugar, and yeast in a small bowl.
   • Let rest ~5 minutes until foamy, indicating active yeast.
2. Form Dough
   • In a mixing bowl (or stand mixer), combine yeast mixture, olive oil, salt, vinegar, and about half the flour.
   • Gradually add the remaining flour until dough is soft but not sticky.
   • Knead ~3–4 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise
   • Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl.
   • Cover with a towel and let it rise for ~1 hour in a warm spot, or until doubled in size.
4. Shape & Top
   • Punch down dough, then stretch or roll into a rectangle (~⅓-inch thick).
   • Combine melted butter and minced garlic. Spread over dough’s surface.
   • Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, then top with shredded mozzarella.
   • Season with salt, pepper, and optional dried herbs.
5. Bake
   • Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, preheat it too.
   • Transfer dough (on parchment) to a hot stone or baking sheet.
   • Bake ~8–12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden.
6. Slice & Serve
   • Let the bread cool slightly before cutting into sticks or squares.
   • Serve warm with marinara or ranch for dipping if desired.

Note

Want an even more robust flavor? Mix a pinch of red chili flakes into the garlic butter, or experiment with different cheese blends (like cheddar or pepper jack) for added zest. If you’re short on time, you can also use a store-bought pizza dough—just roll it out, add your garlic butter and cheese topping, and bake. This Cheesy Garlic Bread is super flexible, so get creative to find your perfect flavor combination!

Cheesy Garlic Bread transforms simple dough, butter, garlic, and cheese into a comforting, restaurant-quality side or snack. The golden crust, soft interior, and melted cheese topping bring instant warmth to any meal—whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a weekend hangout with friends. If you’ve been searching for that perfect, easy bread companion for soups, salads, or pasta nights, this is it. Whip it up, watch it disappear, and don’t be surprised if your family requests it again and again!

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Cheesy Garlic Bread is the ultimate side or snack for anyone who loves soft, buttery bread loaded with gooey cheese and a delightful hint of garlic. Whether you’re serving it alongside a hearty pasta, dishing it out for party appetizers, or simply enjoying it as an indulgent snack, this cheesy bread dish will have you savoring every warm, comforting bite.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Keyword: Cheesy Garlic Bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Dough Rising: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 27 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Dough

• Warm Water: 180 ml ~0.75 cup
• Granulated Sugar: 1 tsp ~4 g
• Active Dry Yeast: 1⅛ tsp ~4 g
• Olive Oil: 1½ tbsp ~22 ml
• Salt: ¾ tsp ~4 g
• White Vinegar: ½ tsp ~2.5 ml (optional, aids tenderness)
• All-Purpose Flour: ~240–300 g ~0.53–0.66 lb, as needed for a soft dough

For the Topping

• Butter melted: 1½ tbsp (~22 g)
• Garlic Cloves: 2 minced
• Parmesan Cheese: ~30 g ~0.07 lb, grated
• Mozzarella Cheese: ~140 g ~0.3 lb, shredded or sliced
• Salt & Pepper: to taste
• Dried Herbs oregano, basil: optional for extra flavor

Instructions

Activate Yeast

• Mix warm water (about 110°F/43°C), sugar, and yeast in a small bowl.
• Let rest ~5 minutes until foamy, indicating active yeast.

Form Dough

• In a mixing bowl (or stand mixer), combine yeast mixture, olive oil, salt, vinegar, and about half the flour.
• Gradually add the remaining flour until dough is soft but not sticky.
• Knead ~3–4 minutes until smooth and elastic.

First Rise

• Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl.
• Cover with a towel and let it rise for ~1 hour in a warm spot, or until doubled in size.

Shape & Top

• Punch down dough, then stretch or roll into a rectangle (~⅓-inch thick).
• Combine melted butter and minced garlic. Spread over dough’s surface.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, then top with shredded mozzarella.
• Season with salt, pepper, and optional dried herbs.

Bake

• Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, preheat it too.
• Transfer dough (on parchment) to a hot stone or baking sheet.
• Bake ~8–12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden.

Slice & Serve

• Let the bread cool slightly before cutting into sticks or squares.
• Serve warm with marinara or ranch for dipping if desired.

Notes

Want an even more robust flavor? Mix a pinch of red chili flakes into the garlic butter, or experiment with different cheese blends (like cheddar or pepper jack) for added zest. If you’re short on time, you can also use a store-bought pizza dough—just roll it out, add your garlic butter and cheese topping, and bake. This Cheesy Garlic Bread is super flexible, so get creative to find your perfect flavor combination!