This pull-apart bread comes together in just 35 minutes, making it an easy go-to for game day. Stuffed with jalapeños, gooey cheese, and smoky bacon, it's the kind of appetizer that disappears fast at any party.
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Why You'll Love This Pull Apart Cheese Bread
I love throw-together appetizers like this one. A few simple steps and a little bit of baking, and you're good to go. It's pretty quick and easy to assemble and pop into the oven, and you're rewarded with cheesy, delicious bread packed with spicy jalapeños and smoky bacon.
This is the kind of recipe that's perfect for game day or any party where you want something that looks impressive but takes almost no effort. You can even assemble it in advance and bake it right before you're ready to serve. Here's why this pull apart bread recipe is a total winner:
- Quick and easy
- Cheesy and gooey
- Great for game day
- Make-ahead friendly
- Crowd-pleasing
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- Sourdough bread- Soft and chewy, this holds all the cheesy, spicy filling. A round Italian or French loaf works as a substitute.
- Butter- Helps carry the ranch seasoning into every crevice of the bread.
- Ranch seasoning- Adds a savory, herby flavor throughout the bread.
- Jalapeño peppers- For a spicy kick. Remove the seeds if you prefer a milder bite.
- Bacon- Deeply savory and adds a smoky, salty flavor throughout.
- Shredded cheddar cheese- Melts into gooey, cheesy perfection throughout the bread. A Mexican cheese blend or Colby Jack works as a substitute.
How To Make Pull Apart Bread
Step 1- Preheat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2- Score the bread.
Make slices in the bread about 1 ½ inches apart, making sure not to cut all the way through (leave the bottom connected). Then repeat in the other direction to create a grid pattern.
Step 3- Add the butter mixture.
Mix the melted butter with the ranch seasoning and pour it into the bread, making sure it gets between all the pieces.
Step 4- Stuff the loaf.
Push half of the cheese between the pieces of bread. Follow with the bacon, then the jalapeños.
Step 5- Top with the remaining cheese.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, along with any bacon or jalapeño pieces that fell out while stuffing.
Step 6- Bake.
Tent the bread with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Step 7- Serve.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
A mix of dried herbs like parsley, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder makes a decent homemade substitute if you don't have a ranch packet on hand.
Yes, you can assemble it in advance and bake it right before you're ready to serve, making it an easy make-ahead appetizer for parties.
Yes, leave the seeds in the jalapeños for extra heat, or add a pinch of cayenne to the butter mixture for even more spice.
Tips For Making Cheesy Pull Apart Bread
- Slice carefully, stopping just before you cut all the way through, so the loaf stays intact but still pulls apart easily once baked.
- Use a sharp, sturdy bread knife when cutting the grid pattern, since a dull knife can tear the bread instead of cutting clean lines. I like a serrated bread knife.
- Stuff the cheese in first before the bacon and jalapeños, so it melts around the other fillings as it bakes.
- Tent the bread loosely with foil for the first half of baking to help the inside melt without burning the top.
- Feel free to customize this with extras like diced tomatoes, green onions, or a different type of pepper if you want to switch things up.
- Serve this warm, right out of the oven, for the gooiest, most pull-apart texture.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon, then chop the jalapeños up to a day in advance.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, though this bread is best enjoyed fresh.
What To Serve With Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
I love serving this loaf alongside a few other game day favorites to round out the spread. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Oven Baked Chicken Wings
- Avocado Corn and Black Bean Salad
- Muffin Tin Potato Stacks
- Chocolate Cake Trifle
Other Quick Appetizers To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Jalapeño Popper Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough bread
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 2 jalapeno peppers seeds removed and chopped (if you want it extra spicy, leave the seeds)
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided in half
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make slices into the bread about 1 ½ inches apart leaving the bottom connected and then do it in the other direction as well. This should look almost like a grid with the bread squared off into pieces. Make sure you don't slice all the way through!
- Mix the melted butter with the ranch seasoning and pour it into the bread, making sure to get it between all the pieces.
- Put half of the cheese between all the pieces of bread and push it down.
- Next push the bacon between the pieces of bread followed by the jalapeño peppers.
- Finish by topping with the remaining cheese and pick up any pieces of bacon and jalapeños that fell out while you were stuffing it and sprinkle them on top.
- Tent it with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Slice carefully, stopping just before you cut all the way through, so the loaf stays intact but still pulls apart easily once baked.
- Use a sharp, sturdy bread knife when cutting the grid pattern, since a dull knife can tear the bread instead of cutting clean lines.
- Stuff the cheese in first before the bacon and jalapeños, so it melts around the other fillings as it bakes.
- Tent the bread loosely with foil for the first half of baking to help the inside melt without burning the top.
- Feel free to customize this with extras like diced tomatoes, green onions, or a different type of pepper if you want to switch things up.
- Serve this warm, right out of the oven, for the gooiest, most pull-apart texture.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon, then chop the jalapeños up to a day in advance.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, though this bread is best enjoyed fresh.
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