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This Garlic Monkey Bread is a warm, savory pull-apart bread built around soft homemade dough, melted mozzarella, fragrant garlic butter, and a finishing layer of Parmesan.
Each portion is formed into an individual dough ball, filled with a small cube of mozzarella, sealed, coated in seasoned butter, and stacked into a Bundt pan.
As the bread bakes, the cheese melts inside while the garlic, butter, and Italian seasoning infuse every layer with rich flavor.
The dough itself is simple and lightly enriched with olive oil and honey, giving the finished bread a tender interior and a pleasant homemade texture.
Active dry yeast provides the lift, while the buttery coating adds richness to the golden exterior.
Italian seasoning brings a familiar herbaceous note, and Parmesan sprinkled between the layers contributes a savory, cheesy finish.
Once baked, the monkey bread can be inverted from the Bundt pan and pulled apart piece by piece, making it especially inviting for sharing.
The combination of soft bread, gooey mozzarella centers, garlicky butter, and browned cheese creates plenty of flavor in every bite.
Served warm, it works beautifully as a savory appetizer or alongside a meal whenever a comforting bread is welcome.
Its pull-apart presentation also makes it an eye-catching addition to a shared table.
Herbed Garlic Monkey Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Activate the Yeast: Measure the warm water into the mixing bowl and sprinkle the active dry yeast over it. Add the honey and stir to combine. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes, until it becomes bubbly.
- Start the Dough: Add the olive oil, salt, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Add the Remaining Flour: Continue adding the flour 1 cup at a time. You may not need the entire 4 cups. When adding the final cup, begin incorporating it ¼ cup at a time, adding only as much as needed.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it is thoroughly worked.
- First Rise: Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise until doubled in size. The rising time can vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over very low heat. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, then let the mixture simmer gently for 1–2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Divide the Dough: Gently punch down the risen dough, then divide it into 32 pieces. Shape each piece into a rough ball.
- Fill the Dough: Flatten each dough ball and place a small cube of mozzarella in the center.
- Seal the Cheese: Fold the dough around the mozzarella, making sure all seams are completely sealed so the cheese stays enclosed.
- Coat in Garlic Butter: Roll each sealed dough piece in the prepared melted garlic butter, coating it thoroughly.
- Layer the Bread: Grease the Bundt pan and arrange the coated dough pieces inside, layering them as you go.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle shredded Parmesan over each layer of dough.
- Second Rise: Allow the assembled bread to rise again before baking.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the monkey bread for 35–40 minutes, until baked through and golden.
- Cool Before Inverting: Let the baked bread cool in the Bundt pan for 10 minutes.
- Release the Bread: Place the Bundt pan over a cooling rack and carefully invert it to release the monkey bread.
Notes
- Use water between 105–110°F to properly activate the yeast.
- The amount of flour may vary between 3½ and 4 cups, so add the final portion gradually.
- The dough should rise until it has doubled in size during the first rise.
- Kitchen temperature can affect how quickly the dough rises.
- Seal the dough completely around each mozzarella cube to help keep the cheese enclosed during baking.
- Simmer the garlic and Italian seasoning in the butter over very low heat for 1–2 minutes.
- Make sure the oven is fully preheated to 375°F before baking.
- Allow the finished bread to cool for 10 minutes before inverting the Bundt pan.
Chef’s Secret
The most important detail for keeping the mozzarella tucked inside each piece is creating a secure seal before coating the dough in garlic butter.
After flattening each dough portion and adding the cheese cube, fold the dough completely around the filling and carefully close every seam.
A loose opening can allow melted cheese to escape during baking.
It also helps to handle the filled dough gently when rolling it in the garlic butter so the sealed surface remains intact.
Since the recipe uses between 3½ and 4 cups of flour, add the final flour gradually rather than automatically using the full amount.
This gives you better control over the dough while preserving the soft, tender texture of the finished monkey bread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Garlic Monkey Bread warm, allowing everyone to pull apart the individual cheesy pieces.
It makes a flavorful appetizer for sharing and can also accompany a meal as a savory bread.
For serving, place the bread on a platter or bread board and let the golden pieces speak for themselves, with the melted mozzarella and garlic-herb butter providing plenty of flavor.
A simple dipping sauce can also be served alongside if desired.
Conclusion
This Garlic Monkey Bread brings together soft homemade dough, melted mozzarella, fragrant garlic butter, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan in an irresistible pull-apart format.
Its golden exterior and cheesy center make it a comforting choice for gatherings, appetizers, or any meal that deserves a special homemade bread.
