Tasty Oven

  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Christmas

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread with Bacon

Published: Nov 23, 2020 · Modified: Mar 26, 2024 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

Jump to Recipe

Not much is tastier than a bacon and cheese combo! Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread with Bacon is loaded with crispy bacon, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, chives, parsley and garlic butter. Mix with pizza dough balls and cook until perfectly golden brown. This bread is great as a holiday party appetizer, game day appetizer, or a snacking bread for your family any day of the week.

"My family goes crazy for this! So good!!!"

bacon pull apart bread on a white serving dish with dipping sauce
Table Of Contents
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Ingredients
  • Step-By-Step Directions
  • Serving
  • Chef's Tip
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread with Bacon is an out of this world, full of flavor bread recipe that will be eaten so quickly you better make sure you have an extra loaf! It makes a delicious breakfast and brunch bread, especially for busy holiday mornings when no one wants to cook or clean anything extra. And it's seriously easy to make. Combine all of the ingredients, dump into the pan, and bake.

Pull apart breads make great holiday and party appetizers (no knife needed). My favorite pull apart breads are cheesy breads made completely from scratch. I make this cheesy garlic pull apart bread, complete with the best 5 star homemade pizza dough but make it simple with using store bought pizza dough.

This bread is not only stuffed with lots of shredded cheddar and monterey cheese, but with lots and lots of bacon! Serve it with a marinara sauce for dipping and it's the ultimate crowd pleasing appetizer.

bacon pull apart bread in a bundt pan

Recipe FAQs

If you're new to making bread or have never made a cheesy bread or pull apart bread, you may have questions about how it's done. I've put together answers for the most common questions readers have about making cheesy breads, particularly pull apart breads.

How do you make cheesy bread from scratch?

The best way to make cheesy bread from scratch is to have a really great homemade pizza dough recipe. For my pull apart bread recipes, I use a bread machine pizza dough. If you don't have a bread machine, here are the instructions for making pizza dough by hand in 30 minutes. If you'd like to opt for a quicker cheesy bread, use 2 packages of store bought pizza dough.

Once you have the dough, cut it into 1-2 inch pieces and shape them into balls. Mix the dough balls with lots of shredded cheese and a little bit of butter. Put the mix into a pan and bake. You can use a bundt pan or loaf pan.

If you don't have a bundt or loaf pan, a baking sheet will work. Dump the dough balls on the baking sheet and press them together with your hands. The dough will be sticky so the balls will easily stick together. Over all, the key to making it is to use lots of shredded cheese, pizza dough, and butter.

Why is pull apart bread called monkey bread?

Pull apart bread is commonly called monkey bread because it's pulled off the loaf with the fingers and eaten without any utensils. Just as monkey's eat with their hands, people eat pull apart with their hands, too. But when most people talk about "monkey bread", they are referring to bundt pan pull apart bread made with biscuits, cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, and sometimes nuts.

We've since taken this traditional sweet monkey bread recipe and varied it to make a bacon-filled, cheese covered breakfast and snacking bread.

bacon pull apart bread being dipped into marinara sauce

Ingredients

You'll need:

  • Pizza dough: store bought for ease or homemade
  • Cheddar cheese: extra sharp for best flavor
  • Monterey jack cheese
  • Garlic
  • Bacon: cooked til crispy, do not use raw! I make mine in the air fryer most of the time.
  • Butter
  • Parsley & chives

I use extra sharp yellow cheddar cheese. Any sharpness of cheddar cheese will do fine, as will white cheddar cheese. You can also use all cheddar instead of monterey jack. Feel free to vary the types of cheese you use and replace the cheddar and monterey with your favorite shredded cheeses.

You'll also need a large bundt pan or a baking sheet. I use a bundt pan for my pull apart breads because of the look. A baking sheet is fine too (see above for how to use a baking sheet).

ingredients to make bacon pull apart bread

Step-By-Step Directions

STEP 1: Roll out the pizza dough and break it into small pieces. Roll the dough into balls and put them in a well oiled mixing bowl.

STEP 2: Break the cooked bacon into pieces and add it to the bowl of dough. Then add the cheeses and chives.

STEP 3: In a small bowl, melt the butter. Mix the butter with the parsley and crushed garlic. Pour into the bowl of dough and bacon. Mix until all ingredients are distributed evenly. Transfer to a well greased bundt pan.

STEP 4: Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a serving dish.

Serve warm, straight from the oven for the best tasting cheesy garlic pull apart bread. Enjoy!

cheesy garlic bacon bread

Serving

While this bread is fantastic eaten plain, it is great served with sauces for dipping. My kids love dipping it in pizza sauce. My husband and I like using a cheese dipping sauce. Nacho cheese sauce is also great.

Chef's Tip

This bread is best eaten the day that it's made. If not eaten immediately, warm up the leftover pieces before eating. This will soften the bread up again and re-crisp the bacon a little. The best way to warm up it is in the toaster for 2-3 minutes. The microwave for about 15 seconds is the second best option.

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

cheesy garlic bacon pull apart bread

Recipe

bacon pull apart bread in a bundt pan

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread with Bacon

Kristina Tipps
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread with Bacon is loaded with crispy bacon, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, chives, parsley and garlic butter. Mix with pizza dough balls and cook until perfectly golden brown.
4.90 from 46 votes
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes minutes
Total Time 50 minutes minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 248 kcal

Equipment

  • bundt pan
  • mixing bowls

Ingredients

  • 2 pizza dough packages
  • 5 cooked bacon slices broken into pieces
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoon chives
  • 3 garlic cloves mashed
  • 5 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a bundt pan with butter.
  • Cut the pizza dough into 1-2 inch pieces. Roll into balls and put in a well greased mixing bowl. Add the cooked bacon pieces, chives, cheddar cheese, and monterey jack cheese to the bowl of dough. Mix well.
  • In a separate bowl, melt the butter and mix in the garlic and parsley. Add to the dough and mix well.
  • Transfer to the bundt pan and spread dough evenly around the pan. Bake for 40 minutes.
  • Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Serve plain or with your choice of dipping sauces.

Video

Notes

*This recipe can be made smaller by cutting all ingredients in half and using a small pan.
Serve the day it's made for the best results. If serving at a later time, warm in the toaster or microwave. 
If not using store bought dough, you can make this pizza dough in the bread machine or this by hand recipe. 
You can use all cheddar cheese or another combination of shredded cheeses, such as pizza blend or mexican blend. Make sure to always use a total of 3 cups. 
 
Print Recipe

Nutrition

Serving: 1ozCalories: 248kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 10gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 554mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 325IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 159mgIron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?Give a shout out to @tastyovenrecipes or tag #tastyovenrecipes! Scan the QR code to check for any recipe updates, including tips, answers to FAQs and to ask me a question!
QR Code

Recipes To Try Next

  • slow cooker italian meatballs over spaghetti
    Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs
  • slow cooker spaghetti sauce in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
  • crockpot mashed cauliflower in a white bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Cauliflower
  • air fryer brussels sprouts with balsamic dressing on a white plate
    Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Parmesan
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X
  • Threads

Comments

    4.90 from 46 votes (44 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle says

    April 02, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    Is the store bought pizza dough the stuff in the Pillsbury packages, or is there something else in frozen? I've never seen frozen pizza dough in our store, so wondering. Or can you use the frozen bread dough loaves - if so, how many would you need?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristina says

      April 06, 2022 at 9:11 pm

      Yes, the pillsbury packages are perfect to use. Some stores have specialty pizza dough near the deli section. I have never seen frozen pizza dough, but I have also never looked for it. I am not sure what frozen bread dough loaves you are referring to, but if you can stick to refrigerated dough, I think that will work best. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  2. Rose says

    December 15, 2021 at 9:02 am

    Can you prepare this recipe the night before or should it be done all the same day?

    Reply
    • Kristina says

      December 16, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      Yes, it can be made the night before. You can bake it in the morning, or bake it the night before and leave it at room temperature.

      Reply
  3. Lindsay says

    December 10, 2020 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    Cheese, bacon, bread - yes, please!! This sounds soo good - can't wait to try it out!

    Reply
  4. Sabrina says

    December 10, 2020 at 11:11 am

    5 stars
    My family goes crazy for this! So good!!!

    Reply
profile image

Hello, I'm Kristina! I'm here to show you how to take your favorite recipes and adapt them to all your kitchen appliances!

More about me →

What's New

  • raw zucchini salad on a brown plate
    Raw Zucchini Salad

  • tuna nachos in a white plate
    Spicy Tuna Poke Nachos

  • bread machine sunflower seed bread slided on a cutting board
    Bread Machine Sunflower Seed Bread

  • cheese and bean quesadilla slices in a stack on a plate
    Cheese and Bean Quesadillas

Slow Cooker

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • apples, oranges and whole seasonings for apple cider in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Apple Cider

  • slow cooker apple pie filling with ice cream topping
    Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Instant Pot

  • instant pot pumpkin risotto in a serving dish
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

  • instant pot pumpkin bread in a bundt pan
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Bread

  • instant pot cauliflower mac and cheese in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  • instant pot garlic mashed potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and black pepper
    Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Trending Now

  • mediterranean quesadilla stacked on a plate
    Mediterranean Quesadillas

  • slow cooker pepper steak over rice in a black bowl
    Crockpot Pepper Steak

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • patriotic charcuterie board with red, white and blue foods
    Patriotic Charcuterie Board

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for the latest recipes!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 TastyOven.com, LLC.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Stuck on what to say? Here are some suggestions:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this recipe! We can't wait to make it again.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!
I made a few modifications, but it still turned out wonderful.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.