Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Why you'll love this pull apart pizza bread recipe

• Pull apart pizza bread is ideal for sharing, so it makes a great appetizer! It is also perfect if you need to feed a crowd for a party, or just want an easy and comforting dinner that the whole family will love. 
• The seasonings in the dough for this recipe give the pull-apart bread a ton of extra flavor! 
• This easy pull-apart pizza bread can be prepared ahead of time and then frozen so that you can quickly reheat it and enjoy it whenever you'd like! 
• Everybody loves pizza and this pull apart pizza recipe is a fun way to add a twist to any pizza night!
• This is a great recipe to make as a snack for kids! And because it's cut into smaller pieces, they can easily serve themselves a portion. 

Ingredients & substitutions

Dough

• Flour: use all-purpose flour for this recipe. Bread flour may be substituted in equal amounts
• Instant Yeast: it is important to be sure that the instant yeast that you use is fresh and is not expired. Expired yeast may not allow your dough to rise properly. 
• Sugar: granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness to your pizza dough to balance out the flavors, without making it very sweet
• Italian Seasoning: may be substituted with 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons dried basil, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried sage and ½ teaspoon dried rosemary. This will make 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning substitute
• Garlic Powder 
• Salt: For best results, I recommend using fine salt, as this will incorporate easily into the dough
• Whole Milk: I recommend using whole milk for this recipe to achieve a fluffy dough
• Butter: It is best to use unsalted butter, as you will be adding salt to the dough separately
• Egg: Use one large egg for this dough, and try to remove it from the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using. Cold ingredients do not incorporate as easily with other ingredients

Filling

• Butter: use unsalted butter for the filling since salt will be added separately. The butter should be very soft and spreadable, but not melted, so it can spread easily without tearing the bread dough 
• Italian Seasoning 
• Garlic Powder 
• Salt 
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• Pepperoni (optional)
• Marinara Sauce (for dipping - optional)

How to make pull apart pizza bread

Step 1

In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl, add the flour then the yeast, sugar, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt. Stir to combine. Warm the milk in the microwave in 20-30 second increments until approximately 105º-110ºF. Do not exceed 110ºF or you will kill the yeast.

Step 2

Add butter to the bowl then pour warm milk on top of the dry ingredients followed by the lightly beaten egg. 

Step 3

Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until the ingredients come together in a shaggy dough. Turn the mixer to medium low speed and continue kneading for about 3-4 minutes.

If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add 1 tablespoon more flour and continue kneading. The dough should be gathered around the dough hook and not sticking to the sides, even though it may be sticking to the bottom of the bowl. The dough will be soft. 

I like to place the dough in my cold oven with just the light on. Alternatively, you can place the dough in the microwave with the door closed (without turning it on!) with a bowl of warm water placed beside the dough. The steam will create a warm environment in which the dough will rise.

Step 4

While the dough is rising, mix together the filling. Be sure your butter is soft enough to mix with just a fork, but is not melted. If it’s too cool, place it in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 5 seconds.

If the butter is still too cool, microwave for another 5 seconds. Mash the butter with a fork then add the italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.

Stir until well combined. Set aside on the counter until ready to use. Do not place it in the fridge or it will be too cold to spread easily on the dough.

If making the filling ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Remove from the fridge at least one hour before using to allow it to become soft and spreadable. Read How To Store Pizza Dough for all the tips you need to know to keep your dough fresh and avoid wasting delicious dough.

Step 5

Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch down the dough to release the air.

Place dough on a lightly floured work surface. Divide it into 12 equally sized pieces. I like to cut the dough in half first, then cut each half into halves so you have 4 pieces. Then cut each piece into thirds. The pieces do not need to be exactly the same size. 

Step 6

On a clean counter working with one piece of dough at a time, gently press the dough to flatten then roll flat into a rectangle, about 4 inches by 6 inches, using a rolling pin.

Using an offset spatula or silicone spatula, spread 2 teaspoons of the butter filling mixture onto the dough, covering the surface. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of mozzarella cheese and ½-1 teaspoon of parmesan cheese. At one end, place 2-3 slices of pepperoni, if using. 

Take the edge closest to you (should be the short edge) and fold up and over the top half of the rectangle. Press down gently and place, open side facing up, in the prepared pan.

Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough, placing the prepared dough next to each other in the pan. Reserve the remaining butter mixture for topping.

Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm spot until puffy and the top of the dough is even with the height of the loaf pan, about 35-40 minutes. 

Step 7

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Remove the plastic wrap from the loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Check the loaf after 25 minutes - if you find the top of the loaf is browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Use a pastry brush to coat with remaining butter mixture, melted, and sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, if desired.

Cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Lift bread out of the pan and serve immediately with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping, if desired. 

Make ahead instructions

Baked and cooled pull-apart bread can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the oven to your liking. 

The dough can be prepared through step 3, then after it has risen, punch it down to release the air, cover it tightly, then place it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Continue with step 4. 

To freeze the dough, prepare it through step 3. After it has risen, punch it down to release the air. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator. Then let the dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before continuing with step 4. (You may need to punch it down again if it has some air bubbles.)

For a simple homemade garlic pita bread recipe, you can make a shortcut and bake up garlic pita breadsticks or individual pizzas over your pitas with the addition of a little sauce, toppings and cheese. It'd be a perfect recipe for family dinner together.

How to store pull apart pizza bread

Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Since the bread is extra crispy on the exterior, it may become a little hard after day 1. Reheat in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until the interior is soft again, or warm in the microwave.

Pro Tips 

• This easy pull apart pizza bread recipe is also customizable! You can add a different flavor to the dough by using red pepper flakes, or switch up the filling by adding your favorite pizza toppings like Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, or olives
• Pizza pull-apart bread is great for dipping in your favorite dipping sauce like ranch dressing, or pizza sauce. Serve some in a small bowl on the side and enjoy! 
• Serve this alongside a salad or other side dish for an easy pizza night that's even better than takeout! 

More Recipes

If you're in the mood for a more traditional style of pizza, you need to try this homemade pizza dough recipe! This pizza crust comes out perfectly chewy yet crisp every time.

And if you're still on the hunt for some more delicious recipes that are sure to become family favorites, check out this weekend bolognese sauce! Or if you need something that comes together quickly, give this easy meatless baked ziti a go!