You can make these cheesy parmesan bread bites in one hour with simple pizza dough, parmesan cheese, and garlic butter! They are the perfect appetizer for any occasion that everyone will love!
The holy grail of carb-lover appetizers is these parmesan bread bites! Made with store-bought or homemade pizza dough, these bread bites are the perfect soft and fluffy doughy appetizer.
They are brushed with the most delicious garlic herb butter and generously sprinkled with parmesan cheese. I even turned these mini bites into a large garlic bread roll version and they are equally to die for!
If you love this recipe, try our Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Pretzels, Focaccia Pizza, Green Bean Cheese Casserole, and Cast Iron Skillet Pizza.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Parmesan Bread Bites
- These easy bread bites come together from start to finish in under one hour! You can make them with store-bought or homemade pizza dough!
- Every bite is extra cheesy and covered in tons of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Just like my creamy mac and cheese, these bread bites are perfect for sharing as a snack or appetizer because they are perfect bite-sized pieces.
- They taste just like Domino’s! If you’ve ever had Domino’s parmesan bread bites, or even if you haven’t, just know they taste even BETTER than the original.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Active dry yeast: This yeast needs to be activated in warm water before use. It can be substituted with Instant Yeast if needed!
Olive oil: Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor!
Parmesan cheese: Do not use pre-shredded cheese because it will not melt properly in the oven.
Mozzarella cheese: Similar to the parmesan, I don’t recommend using pre-shredded cheese. Buy a block and shred it yourself for the best results!
Honey: I love the flavor honey gives bread dough, but it can easily be substituted with regular granulated sugar.
Fresh herbs: You can substitute the herbs for any other variety like oregano, chives, or parsley.
Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!
How to Make Homemade Bread Bites
Here is how to make these garlic parmesan bites! You will need a stand mixer to make the pizza dough. Before you start, line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
STEP ONE: Mix and knead the dough. In a stand mixing bowl, add the warm water, active dry yeast, and honey. Stir to combine then let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy and active.
Then add the all-purpose flour, salt, olive oil, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Use the dough hook to knead the dough on low speed for 8-9 minutes or until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.
STEP TWO: First rise. Form the dough into a ball and place it into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the top tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to double in size, about 20-30 minutes.
STEP THREE: Shape into a square. Once doubled in size, place the dough on a clean surface and lightly press it down into an 8×8-inch square.
STEP FOUR: Cut into strips. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into eight, 1-inch wide strips. Gently separate the cut strips to keep them from sticking together.
STEP FIVE: Cut into bites. Cut each strip of dough into 1-inch pieces. Transfer each one to the prepared baking tray. Give each one at least an inch of room between them.
STEP SIX: Brush with garlic butter. Spoon some of the melted garlic butter over the top of each bread bite.
STEP SEVEN: Sprinkle with parmesan cheese then bake! Sprinkle the tops generously with the parmesan cheese herb mixture. Then bake each tray at 400 F for 10-12 minutes, or until they are puffy and the tops are lightly golden brown.
Once the pan is out of the oven, spoon more of the garlic butter over the tops and immediately sprinkle more parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Expert Baking Tips
- Activate your yeast! This step is critical if you want the dough to rise. I wrote a whole post about how to work with yeast for more help!
- Knead until the dough is soft and tacky. If your dough ball is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add one tablespoon of flour at a time until it looks like the photos provided.
- Don’t overbake! Bake until the tops are barely starting to turn golden brown to keep them super soft and fluffy.
- Sprinkle generously with cheese. To help the grated parmesan cheese stick to the bread bite, add the parmesan right after you brush it with garlic butter. The warm butter helps the parmesan cheese stick to the tops.
FAQs
The dough will be double the size it was when you first put it in the bowl.
The very tops of the bites will just barely be golden brown when they’re done!
While they are so delicious alone, they are even better with a side of marinara or pizza sauce for dunking! We love serving them as appetizers for holidays!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be reheated at 300 F until warmed through.
More Bread Recipes to Try
If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!
Parmesan Bread Bites
Need Metric Measurements?Use the button options below to toggle between US cups and Metric grams!Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey, substitute granulated sugar
- 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
Garlic Butter
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- Combine the water, yeast, and honey in a mixing bowl. Set aside to active the yeast for 5 minutes. It should look foamy when active.2 1/4 tsp (7 g) active dry yeast, 1 cup (214 g) warm water, 1 tbsp (16 g) honey
- Then add the flour, salt, olive oil, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese to the bowl.2 3/4 cup (338 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (39 g) fresh shredded parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup (39 g) freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 tbsp (14 g) olive oil, 1 tsp (5 g) fine sea salt
- Knead on low for 8-9 minutes until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oil bowl. Cover the top tightly with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise for 20-30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 400 F/205 C.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on your counter and form it into an 8×8 inch square.
- Then use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut eight, one inch strips from the square. Separate the strips to keep them from sticking together.
- Cut each strip into one inch squares and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, giving them at least an inch of space in between.
- Make the garlic butter by melted the butter and minced garlic together until the garlic is sizzling and fragrant. Stir in half of the fresh thyme and fresh sage.6 tbsp (84 g) unsalted butter, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 1 tbsp fresh sage
- Spoon or brush the tops of each bread bite with the garlic butter.
- Mix the parmesan cheese with the other half of the fresh herbs and generously sprinkle the tops with it.1/2 cup (39 g) parmesan cheese
- Bake them one tray at a time, for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown.
- Once out of the oven, brush or spoon more garlic butter over the tops and sprinkle with more cheese.
- Serve warm with marinara and enjoy!
Notes
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- Activate your yeast! This step is critical if you want the dough to rise. Make sure to use warm water (not hot) and let the yeast become foamy before using. If you don’t notice any activity after 5 minutes, use a new packet of yeast.
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- Knead until the dough is soft and tacky. If your dough ball is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add one tablespoon of flour at a time until it looks like the photos provided.
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- Don’t overbake! Bake until the tops are barely starting to turn golden brown to keep them super soft and fluffy.
- Sprinkle generously with cheese. To help the grated parmesan cheese stick to the bread bite, add the parmesan right after you brush it with garlic butter. The warm butter helps the parmesan cheese stick to the tops.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & tag @cambreabakes on social!The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.
I made these two weeks in a row. I placed all the little squares close together so it ended up being a monkey bread situation. So popular with the little one. She loved it!
I am sooo happy to hear that Shani! Thank you so much for the kind review!
Ok I made these for Friendsgiving last weekend! And they are amazing!!!! 10/10
These were so unbelievably delicious! They were soft and fluffy and were a great side dish for our pasta dinner last night!
These were so good! They made the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Thanks so much for sharing
Happy to hear that, thanks Kelley!