Crispy Cheese Pull Garlic Bread Stuffed with Mozzarella Herbs
A quick and easy garlic bread recipe stuffed with gooey mozzarella and fresh herbs, delivering a crispy crust and irresistible cheese pull perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 French baguette or Italian bread loaf (day-old preferred)
- 2 cups (about 7 oz or 200g) shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup (about 1 oz or 25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it fully heat while you prepare the bread and garlic herb butter.
- Using a sharp bread knife, slice the bread diagonally about 1 to 1.5 inches apart, cutting almost to the bottom but not all the way through. Turn the loaf 90 degrees and slice again to create a crosshatch pattern.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped basil, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed and fragrant.
- Carefully spread the garlic herb butter into each cut of the bread, making sure to get some in every crevice.
- Stuff shredded mozzarella evenly into the cuts of the bread.
- Optionally, brush the outside crust with olive oil for extra crispness and golden color.
- Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and crispy. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.
- For an extra bubbly and golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the bread cool for 2-3 minutes before serving to avoid molten cheese burns and enjoy warm.
Notes
Use day-old bread for easier slicing and better texture. Do not slice all the way through the bread to keep it intact. Use room temperature butter for even spreading. Fresh herbs provide the best flavor but dried can be substituted. Avoid overfilling with cheese and butter to prevent sogginess. Let bread rest briefly after baking to avoid molten cheese burns. For vegan or gluten-free options, substitute ingredients accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the loa
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 12
Keywords: garlic bread, mozzarella, cheese pull, herbs, crispy bread, appetizer, snack, easy recipe