Smells like Friday night at Grandma’swarm, buttery, louder than it should be. Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is back and blowing up Pinterest feeds (again). One pan, 30 minutes, lots of oohs and ahhs. Cheesy, golden, gooeythis pull-apart is peak comfort.
Think doughy garlic bread balls tucked with melty cheese, like rolls with cheese inside. BUT baked in a cozy wreath shape. You probably have everything on handrefrigerated dough, garlic, butter, mozzarella. Full details in the blog!
I’ve made every version of cheesy bread ring recipes, but this one’s the winner. Baked and styled after testing five pansno mess, no guess. I also added one Italian twist I think you’ll love (trust meit makes it unstoppable).
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
If you’re a fan of cozy, carb-loaded baking projects that don’t take forever, this recipe is a dream. It’s simple, made with frozen Rhodes dinner rolls, and delivers major comfort-food vibes. Here’s why it’s a winner:
Nostalgic and crowd-pleasing: Think melty, garlicky goodness in every bite. Ideal for holidays, game days, or a treat-yourself night.
No kneading required: Frozen dough does the hard work, so you can focus on assembly and enjoy the process.
Customizable: Add parsley for a fresh pop of flavor or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Key Ingredients & Tools
This recipe sticks to a handful of ingredients, but they each bring their A-game. Before you start, make sure you have these on hand:
Frozen Dinner Rolls: Rhodes rolls are the MVP here. Let them rise, and they transform into pillowy perfection.
Garlic Butter: Melted salted butter mixed with minced garlic coats every single roll for rich flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: The gooey, melty star of the show. Grate some fresh cheese for the best results.
Optional flavor boosters: Parsley for freshness, red pepper flakes for a kick.
For tools, stick with basics: a kitchen towel, a non-stick baking pan (a cast iron skillet or pizza stone works great), and a spoon or pastry brush for spreading that buttery goodness.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
Don’t worry if you’re a beginnerthis recipe is super forgiving (a little mess even adds charm). Here’s how it comes together:
Prepare the Garlic Butter: Mix your melted butter and garlic in a bowl. Add parsley or red pepper flakes if you like.
Coat the Rolls: Dip each frozen roll into the garlic butter. Fully coat itit’s the secret to a golden crust!
Arrange on the Pan: Spray your pan with non-stick spray, then arrange the rolls in a circle with two layers. Keep them close for easy pull-apart action.
Let Rise: Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let the rolls rise until double in size. Times vary depending on your kitchen temperature.
Add Cheese: Once risen, sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the top. It should cover every roll.
Bake: Pop it in a 350°F preheated oven for 18-24 minutes. The rolls should be golden and the cheese bubbly.
Pro Tip: If the cheese starts to brown too much, loosely cover the bread with foil for the last few minutes of baking.
Step
Timing
Prep Garlic Butter
5 minutes
Dip & Arrange Rolls
10 minutes
Let Rolls Rise
2-3 hours
Bake
18-24 minutes
Troubleshooting & Tweaks
Every kitchen is different, so here are a few tips in case things don’t go exactly as planned:
No rising? If your kitchen is chilly, stick the pan in a slightly warm oven (turn it off!) or near a sunny window.
Rolls sticking together? That’s normal! This is pull-apart bread for a reason. Just tear and enjoy.
Want a more Italian spin? Swap parsley for oregano or sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
Serving & Storing Your Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
Once baked, serve your monkey garlic bread warm for the ultimate pull-apart experience. The cheese will stretch beautifully with every piece!
Perfect Pairing: Serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Total Italian monkey bread vibes.
Leftovers: Store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10-12 minutes for best results.
Storage Method
How Long It Keeps
Room Temp (covered)
1 day
Fridge
3-4 days
Freezer
Up to 1 month
Custom Add-Ons & Substitutions
The beauty of this cheesy bread ring is how versatile it can be. Here’s how to shake things up if you’d like:
Cheese Swaps: Try cheddar or provolone for a different flavor, or mix in Parmesan for extra savoriness.
Spicy Twist: Add more red pepper flakes to the garlic butter or sprinkle them on top before baking.
Herb Lovers: Go heavy on fresh parsley or add dried Italian seasoning to the butter for an herby kick.
Cheesy garlic monkey bread is a brilliant fusion of savory flavors and pull-apart texture. The key to its irresistible appeal lies in balancing melted cheese with roasted garlic, which enhances aroma without overpowering the dough’s tenderness. For the best results, use a sharp cheese and fresh garlic to elevate complexity while keeping it moist and flavorful.
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The Journey to Perfecting My Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread
After several attempts, including one batch that got a little too crispy, I finally nailed this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread. Each try helped me balance gooey cheese with tender bread, and now it’s exactly what I imagined: pull-apart, savory comfort that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is a delicious pull-apart bread made from bite-sized pieces of dough rolled in garlic butter and cheese. The dough pieces are stacked in a bundt pan and baked until golden and bubbly. It’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or party snack that everyone can easily share by pulling apart the cheesy, garlicky pieces.
How long does it take to make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread?
This garlic bread monkey bread typically takes about 45-60 minutes from start to finish. The prep time is around 15-20 minutes to cut the dough and coat it in garlic butter and cheese. Baking time is usually 30-40 minutes depending on your oven and the size of your bundt pan.
Can I use store-bought dough for monkey bread?
Absolutely! Store-bought biscuit dough, pizza dough, or frozen bread dough work perfectly for this recipe. These convenient options make it one of the easiest things to make with dough when you want delicious results without the hassle of making dough from scratch. Just cut the dough into pieces, coat with garlic butter and cheese, then bake.
What type of cheese works best for cheesy monkey bread?
Mozzarella cheese is the top choice because it melts beautifully and creates those satisfying cheese pulls. You can also mix in parmesan for extra flavor, or try cheddar for a sharper taste. For the best results with cheesy rolls pull apart style, use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded, as it melts more smoothly.
How do I store leftover monkey bread?
Store leftover Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight and reheat in the oven for the best texture.
Conclusion
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is your new go-to for effortless, crowd-pleasing comfort. In just about 30 minutesplus a little rise timeyou’ll have golden, gooey cheesy bread ring magic that’s soft, stretchy, and perfect for sharing. This easy bake makes pull-apart rolls with cheese inside feel like a kitchen party.
Feel free to swap in provolone or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little Italian twist! Leftovers keep well in the fridgejust warm them gently and they’re ready to pull apart again. A tip I picked up from a pro baker is brushing with fresh garlic butter right after baking for extra shine and flavor.
Got a photo or a family spin on this garlic bread monkey bread? I’d love to see it! Share your cozy kitchen moments and pass this recipe alongbecause good food always tastes better when it’s shared with people you love. You’ll wanna make this one again, promise.
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread is a delicious Italian Monkey Bread that’s perfect as an appetizer or side dish. This Cheesy Bread Ring features soft Rhodes frozen dinner rolls dipped in garlic butter and topped with bubbling mozzarella cheese. Pull apart each piece to reveal gooey, cheesy, and garlicky goodness in every bite, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Prepare the Garlic Butter: Melt the salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the minced garlic and Italian parsley (if using), then mix well.
Dip the Rolls: Dip each frozen dinner roll fully into the garlic butter to coat evenly.
Arrange in a Circular Pattern: Spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the rolls in two close circles to form a ring, ensuring they will rise upwards.
Let the Rolls Rise: Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 2-3 hours (or 90 minutes in a hotter environment).
Add the Cheese: Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the risen rolls and optionally add red pepper flakes for a spicy touch.
Bake Until Bubbly: Bake for 18-24 minutes, until rolls are golden and cheese melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid over-browning.
Serve Warm: Serve the cheesy garlic monkey bread warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
For best results, allow the rolls to fully rise before baking to ensure a soft interior. You can customize the cheese by adding Parmesan or cheddar. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
