Pizza Dough Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

There’s something undeniably magical about the combination of warm, fluffy bread and rich, garlicky butter. This pizza dough garlic pull-apart bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing (or not!) at your next gathering or as a cozy treat for yourself. This recipe is relatively easy to whip up with store-bought pizza dough. Yet, the result is nothing short of spectacular. The dough is slathered with homemade garlic butter, layered, and baked until golden brown and fragrant. Each pull-apart piece is buttery, garlicky, and utterly irresistible.

I created this recipe because I wanted a quick, impressive appetizer that would satisfy my love for garlic bread without the hassle of making homemade dough from scratch. It’s my go-to when I need something delicious in a pinch, and it never fails to wow my guests. The simplicity of using store-bought pizza dough lets the garlic butter shine, making this dish a true celebration of flavor.

If you would like more easy recipes like this one, be sure to try my pizza tortilla bake or easy pizza dough pizza roll muffins. They are delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick Prep: This recipe uses store-bought pizza dough, so it’s fast and easy, yet the final golden layered garlic bread looks and tastes like it came from a bakery.

Garlic Heaven: The fresh garlic butter is rich, aromatic, and generously layered throughout the freshly baked bread, ensuring every bite is flavorful.

Versatile and Shareable: Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or snack, this pull-apart bread will disappear fast.

The History of Garlic Bread in North America

As we know it today, classic garlic bread is believed to have originated in North America and was inspired by Italian bruschetta. Italian immigrants brought their love for bread and garlic to the United States and Canada, which evolved into the buttery, garlicky version we adore. Traditional garlic bread often starts with homemade dough, where the dough rises to create a soft, airy base.

In Canada, garlic bread has become a staple at family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings, often served alongside pasta dishes, soups, or even poutine. Its popularity soared in the mid-20th century, becoming a beloved comfort food in households and restaurants alike. This Pizza Dough Garlic Pull-Apart Bread puts a fun, shareable twist on the classic, making it a modern favorite for garlic bread enthusiasts across North America.

How to Make Pizza Dough Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

You need to have a preheated oven set to 400°F (200°C) for this recipe. You won’t need to grease your loaf pan because the generous amount of garlic butter in this recipe will do the job for you, ensuring the bread doesn’t stick and adding even more flavor.

If this is your first time working with pizza dough, it tends to spring back to a smaller size. Do you know how you see pizza makers tossing that in the air and spinning it around and around? They work on the dough to stretch it into a round shape. Start working your dough. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to work it in the air. This pizza pull will get it elastic and stretched into a long section vs a round.

Then, on a clean, lightly floured surface, you can roll out the store-bought pizza dough into a more even, long rectangle, aiming for an even thickness. This step creates uniformly thick layers that bake evenly and pull apart beautifully. The dough is difficult, so don’t obsess over its thickness too much because it’s getting stacked into a loaf. Be careful what work surface you use as you must cut through the rolled dough so as not to scratch or leave marks anywhere necessary.

The next step is to make the star of the show: the garlic butter. Combine softened salted butter, two tablespoons of minced garlic, and a generous sprinkle of dried parsley in a small bowl. Mix everything until thoroughly combined, creating a fragrant, herb-infused butter mixture that coats every layer of the dough. Reserve a small amount of the garlic butter to brush on top after baking.

Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the garlic butter thickly and evenly over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough. Don’t hold back—this is where all the flavor comes from! Once the dough is fully coated with the herbed butter, slice it in half lengthwise first, creating two long strips. Then, each strip is cut into four equal pieces, resulting in eight squarish buttered dough pieces.

Now comes the fun part: stacking. Carefully lift each buttered piece of dough and stack them vertically in your loaf pan. The layers will create a stunning, pull-apart effect as the bread bakes. Once stacked, place the dish in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked.

When done, remove the bread from the oven and immediately rub the top with the reserved garlic butter. This step adds a beautiful sheen, moistens the bread, and enhances the garlic flavor with the melted butter. Let it cool slightly before serving. This brief resting time allows the layers to set, making it easier to pull apart. Serve warm and watch as your guests (or you!) dive in, tearing apart piece after piece of buttery, garlicky goodness.

Ingredients

Store-bought pizza dough: The base of the recipe provides a soft and chewy texture.

Salted butter: Adds richness and helps the garlic and herbs adhere to the dough.

Minced garlic: Infuses the bread with its signature bold, aromatic flavor.

Dried parsley: Adds a subtle herbaceous note and a pop of color.

​Substitutions and Add-Ins

Store-bought pizza dough: This is the recipe’s base, providing a soft and chewy texture. You can use homemade pizza dough for a more personalized touch. Simply let the dough rise according to your recipe before proceeding with the steps.

Salted butter: This can be replaced with unsalted butter and a pinch of salt. 

Dried parsley: Fresh parsley or other herbs like basil or oregano can be used to make a garlic herb butter

Minced garlic: Though fresh garlic is preferred for its robust flavor, you can use garlic powder. For a more untraditional flavor, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning with dried oregano can go a long way.

Add-Ins: Try adding Parmesan cheese for cheesy bread or red pepper flakes for added heat. Alternatively, adding a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese or a melty mozzarella cheese will turn this into cheesy garlic pull-apart bread.

Expert Tips, Serving, and Storing Suggestions

Tip #1: Use Fresh Garlic: Use fresh garlic instead of jarred or garlic powder for the best flavor.

Tip #2: Be Generous With Butter: Don’t skimp on the butter mixture—generously coat the dough for maximum flavor.

Tip #3: Let It Rest: Let the bread cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the heat to escape, as baked bread can trap a lot of steam.

The final result of soft, fresh garlic pull-art bread is a great appetizer or side dish. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, soup, or a fresh salad for a complete meal. The soft, buttery bread also shines on its own, especially when served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing addition to any table.

To keep garlic bread fresh, store any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap to maintain freshness; it will stay delicious at room temperature for up to two days. 

You can freeze the baked garlic bread in a freezer-safe bag or place it in an airtight container for extended storage. When stored correctly, it will be kept in the freezer for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw the bread at room temperature and reheat it in the oven to bring back its delicious crispness and warmth.

The best part of this recipe is how it brings the whole family together. It will surely be a hit if you’re serving this fun pull-apart garlic bread as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. The simple ingredients and delicious freshly baked flavor make it a go-to garlic bread for pasta night.

If you tried this pizza dough garlic pull-apart bread, let me know how it turned out! Leave a rating and comment below to share your experience. Don’t forget to tag me on social media if you share your creation—I love seeing your delicious results! As always, happy baking!