🧀🌿 Savory Cheese & Herb Pull-Apart Bread

(Mediterranean-Style, Soft, Buttery & Aromatic)

🌿 Description

This Savory Cheese & Herb Pull-Apart Bread is soft, fluffy, and layered with melted cheese, garlic, olive oil, and fragrant Mediterranean herbs. Each piece pulls apart easily, revealing gooey cheese and buttery herb flavor in every bite.

Perfect as an appetizer, side for soups and salads, or served alongside grilled meats and mezze platters, this bread is comforting yet elegant — ideal for family dinners or gatherings.

Golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and irresistibly cheesy.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 cup warm milk (not hot)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 egg

For the Filling:

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup shredded cheddar or crumbled feta

• 3 tbsp melted butter or olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Topping:

• Extra herbs

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

2. Add warm milk, olive oil, and egg.

3. Mix until a soft dough forms.

4. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

5. Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, mix melted butter (or olive oil), garlic, parsley, oregano, thyme, and chili flakes.

Step 3: Shape the Bread

1. Roll dough into a large rectangle (about ¼ inch thick).

2. Brush evenly with herb butter mixture.

3. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar/feta evenly.

4. Cut into squares (about 2-inch pieces).

5. Stack squares loosely and place vertically into a greased loaf pan.

Step 4: Second Rise

Cover and let rest 20–30 minutes.

Step 5: Bake

• Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.

• If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

• Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.

🌞 Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with marinara or tzatziki

• Pair with lentil soup or tomato basil soup

• Add to a Mediterranean mezze board

• Enjoy as a side to grilled chicken or lamb

🥗 Flavor Variations

• Add sun-dried tomatoes

• Mix in chopped olives

• Use za’atar instead of oregano

• Add caramelized onions

❓ Q & A

Q1: Can I make it ahead?

Yes. Assemble and refrigerate overnight. Let come to room temperature before baking.

Q2: Can I use store-bought dough?

Absolutely! Pizza dough works well.

Q3: How do I store leftovers?

Wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in oven for best texture.

Q4: Can I freeze it?

Yes. Freeze baked bread up to 2 months. Reheat from thawed at 325°F until warm.

Q5: Can I make it whole wheat?

Replace up to half the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.