Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread

Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread (often affectionately called “Crack Bread”) is the ultimate cheesy, carb-loaded party appetizer. It transforms a humble loaf of sourdough into a savory masterpiece by cross-hatching the bread and stuffing every crevice with melted cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. The brilliance of this recipe (and Ree Drummond’s signature twist) is the specific cutting technique—slicing a grid pattern without cutting all the way through the bottom—which creates hundreds of “pullable” bite-sized pillars that hold the melted goodness inside like a vessel.

Try more Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Swedish Meatballs
• Pioneer Woman Potato Skins
• Pioneer Woman Sausage Rolls Recipe

🧡 Why You Will Love This Pull Apart Cheese Bread Recipe:

• Interactive Eating: It is designed to be pulled apart by hand, making it a fun, communal dish perfect for game days or family dinners.
• Flavor Penetration: Unlike garlic bread where the butter sits on top, the grid cut ensures the garlic butter and cheese melt deep into the center of the loaf.
• Totally Customizable: While the original uses Monterey Jack and green onions, you can easily swap in mozzarella, cheddar, bacon bits, or jalapeños to suit your taste.
• Make-Ahead Hero: You can stuff and wrap the loaf hours in advance, leaving it in the fridge until you are ready to pop it in the oven.

🍞 Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread Ingredients

The Bread:

• 1 Round Loaf (Boule): Sourdough or crusty artisan bread works best. It needs a firm crust to hold its shape.

The Filling:

• 12 oz (340g) Monterey Jack Cheese: Sliced thin or shredded (slices are easier to stuff).
• 1 stick (115g) Salted Butter: Melted.
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced fine.
• 1/2 cup Green Onions: Finely chopped (white and green parts).
• 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley: Chopped (optional, for color).

🧇 How To Make Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread

1. Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. The Grid Cut: Place the bread on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated bread knife, cut slices across the loaf about 1-inch apart—but do not cut all the way through the bottom crust. Rotate the loaf 90 degrees and repeat the slices to create a cross-hatch (grid) pattern.
3. Stuff the Cheese: Gently pry open the cracks with your fingers and stuff the cheese slices (or shreds) deep into the cuts. Ensure cheese is distributed into every row and column.
4. Make the Butter Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped green onions.
5. Drizzle: Pour the butter mixture evenly over the top of the bread. Use a spoon or pastry brush to separate the cracks slightly so the butter runs down into the crevices, coating the cheese and bread interior.
6. Wrap: Wrap the entire loaf tightly in aluminum foil. This steams the bread and melts the cheese without burning the crust.
7. Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes.
8. Uncover: Remove the loaf from the oven and carefully open the foil. Return it to the oven (uncovered) for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.
9. Serve: Transfer to a board and serve immediately while hot and stringy.

💡 Recipe Tips

• Don’t Slice Through: The bottom crust acts as the “bowl” holding all the melted butter in. If you accidentally slice through, wrap the bottom in an extra layer of heavy-duty foil to catch leaks.
• Use a Serrated Knife: A straight-edged knife will squash the bread. A sawing motion with a bread knife preserves the fluffy interior.
• Cheese Choice: Avoid pre-shredded bagged cheese if possible; it contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Block cheese sliced thin melts the best.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped pickled jalapeños to the butter mixture for a “Jalapeño Popper” version.

🧆What To Serve With Pull Apart Cheese Bread?

This cheesy, garlic-loaded bread is a dipping dream, so serve it alongside a bowl of warm marinara sauce or cool ranch dressing for the ultimate appetizer experience. It also works brilliantly as a substantial side dish for Italian pasta dinners like spaghetti bolognese or lasagna, helping to soak up the sauce. For a comforting winter meal, pair it with a mug of creamy tomato basil soup or a crisp green salad to balance the rich, buttery carbs.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Pull Apart Cheese Bread?

Avoid Counter Storage: Because of the large amount of cheese and butter stuck in the crevices, do not leave this bread out at room temperature for more than a few hours, or the dairy may spoil.

• Refrigerator: Wrap the leftover Pull Apart Cheese Bread tightly in aluminum foil or place it in a large airtight container. It will stay fresh for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: This Pull Apart Cheese Bread freezes surprisingly well. Wrap the cooled loaf in foil, then place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored for up to 2 months.

🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Pull Apart Cheese Bread?

• Oven (Best Method): Wrap the leftover bread loosely in aluminum foil to trap moisture and prevent the crust from burning. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey again. Open the foil for the last 2 minutes if you want to re-crisp the top.
• Microwave (Quick Fix): Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 30–45 seconds. The bread will become very soft and steamy rather than crispy, but the cheese will melt instantly. Eat immediately, as microwaved bread toughens quickly as it cools.
• Air Fryer: For individual chunks, place them in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 3–4 minutes. This is excellent for reviving the crunch of the crust without drying out the cheese.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Texas Trash Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Dip
• Pioneer Woman Texas Caviar

📊 Pull Apart Cheese Bread Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~320 kcal (per serving)
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 480mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Protein: 12g

Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread

Recipe by Imen DridiCourse: Appetizers, Sides, Lunch, Brunch, DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

320

kcal

Pioneer Woman Pull Apart Cheese Bread features a crusty sourdough loaf sliced into a grid, stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese, and drenched in garlic-onion butter. Baked until gooey and crisp, it is the ultimate tear-and-share appetizer.

Ingredients

• The Bread:

• 1 Round Loaf (Boule): Sourdough or crusty artisan bread works best. It needs a firm crust to hold its shape.

• The Filling:

• 12 oz (340g) Monterey Jack Cheese: Sliced thin or shredded (slices are easier to stuff).

• 1 stick (115g) Salted Butter: Melted.

• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced fine.

• 1/2 cup Green Onions: Finely chopped (white and green parts).

• 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley: Chopped (optional, for color).

Directions

• Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• The Grid Cut: Place the bread on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated bread knife, cut slices across the loaf about 1-inch apart—but do not cut all the way through the bottom crust. Rotate the loaf 90 degrees and repeat the slices to create a cross-hatch (grid) pattern.
• Stuff the Cheese: Gently pry open the cracks with your fingers and stuff the cheese slices (or shreds) deep into the cuts. Ensure cheese is distributed into every row and column.
• Make the Butter Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped green onions.
• Drizzle: Pour the butter mixture evenly over the top of the bread. Use a spoon or pastry brush to separate the cracks slightly so the butter runs down into the crevices, coating the cheese and bread interior.
• Wrap: Wrap the entire loaf tightly in aluminum foil. This steams the bread and melts the cheese without burning the crust.
• Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes.
• Uncover: Remove the loaf from the oven and carefully open the foil. Return it to the oven (uncovered) for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.
• Serve: Transfer to a board and serve immediately while hot and stringy.

Notes

• Don’t Slice Through: The bottom crust acts as the “bowl” holding all the melted butter in. If you accidentally slice through, wrap the bottom in an extra layer of heavy-duty foil to catch leaks.
  Use a Serrated Knife: A straight-edged knife will squash the bread. A sawing motion with a bread knife preserves the fluffy interior.
  Cheese Choice: Avoid pre-shredded bagged cheese if possible; it contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Block cheese sliced thin melts the best.
  Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped pickled jalapeños to the butter mixture for a “Jalapeño Popper” version.