Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Pizza Monkey Bread has all the flavors of pizza in a fun, pull apart bread. This simple appetizer can be pulled together easily with pre-made dough or made completely from scratch–either way, it is a delicious, cheesy recipe that is perfect for parties!

While this Pull Apart Pizza Bread makes a perfect party appetizer, especially when served alongside Instant Pot Chicken Wings, it also makes a fun kid-friendly meal when paired fresh fruit and veggies and homemade dill dip.

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Growing up, one recipe my entire family of 6 got super excited for, was what my mom referred to as Cut Bread. 

Cut Bread was a recipe she had found in a newspaper but basically it was just bread dough cut into small chunks, tossed with pizza toppings, then baked and served with pizza sauce on the side.

As I found out later in life–after a lot of strange looks at a party–NO ONE refers to this pizza bread as cut bread.

Instead it is known as Bubble Bread, Pizza Monkey Bread, or Pull Apart Pizza Bread.

Whether you call this Pizza Bread, Pizza Monkey Bread, or Pizza Bubble Bread, one thing is guaranteed–this cheesy, gooey, pizza bread will become a favorite!

Best Ingredients to Use

Most often I see Pizza Bubble Bread made with canned biscuits. Friends, hear me out on this–if you want the BEST Pizza Bread, you need to ditch the biscuits.

Instead of using canned biscuits, use pizza dough instead. The pizza dough will bake up so much softer and there is no canned biscuit taste. Instead the flavors of pizza really shines through–which what is NOT love about that?

I use homemade pizza dough for this recipe, but feel free to use refrigerated pre-made pizza dough and this pizza flavored Monkey Bread recipe will come together with hardly any effort.

As for what to add into the pizza bread, it is all about what you like. Start off with lots of shredded cheese, dried oregano, garlic powder–that in and of itself is all I feel Pizza Bubble Bread needs. But feel free to add in pepperoni, Italian sausage, olives, or mushrooms.

How to Make Pizza Bread

As the original name, Cut Bread, implies, pull apart pizza bread is made by cutting up the dough. It may sound odd to cut it all up before preparing the pizza bread, but this is KEY.

This technique that you often see in Monkey Bread Recipe–hence, why some people call this Pizza Monkey Bread, allows for different textures. Super soft bread, crunchy cheese, gooey cheese, crisp bread–just FABULOUS!!

Step One: Prepare Dough

For this recipe, you need 2 pounds of pizza dough. As I stated, I really like to use my recipe for pizza dough, but you can use store bought pizza dough.

Once you have made your dough,  you want to cut your dough into 1 inch cubes. I find it is best to do this on a floured work surface, to help prevent the dough from sticking.

Step Two: Add Toppings

Add the dough cubes to a lightly oiled mixing bowl, along with the shredded cheese, spices, and any other toppings you are using. Toss until the toppings are evenly distributed through the pizza dough.

Step Three: Form the Pizza Bread

Grease a bundt pan or a 9×13 baking dish with garlic infused olive oil.

Evenly spread out the prepared dough in the pan. Drizzle with additional olive oil.

At this point it looks like a giant loaf of messy dough but once this pizza bread is baked, it will have nuggets of cheese and seasonings in every bite. Some of the cheese will get browned and crispy and some will stay creamy and gooey–it will have a little bit of everything!

Step Four: Bake

Bake until browned and the center of the dough is completely cooked through. Check your pizza bread halfway through cooking. If you notice the top is browning before the dough is cooked through, cover with foil for the remaining of the bake time.

Step Five: Serve

Invert the bundt pan on a serving platter and then flip back over–this side is more visually appealing.

Serve with a side of pizza sauce, or marinara. Let your guests rip off chunks and dig in!

More Cheesy Pizza Creations

• Pizza Lasagna Roll Ups
• Pizza Meatloaf
• Spinach Pizza
• Pizza Rolls
• Easy Pizza Meatloaf
• English Muffin Pizzas

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Homemade Pull Apart Pizza Bread is like a Pizza Version of Monkey Bread. This cheesy, crispy, fluffy pizza bread is a perfect party appetizer.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 424kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pizza dough
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder divided
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
• favorite toppings for pizza (pepperoni, peppers, onions, sausage, etc) up to 1 cup
• 2 cups Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

• Combine olive oil and garlic powder in small bowl.
• Grease a bundt pan or 9x13 baking dish and a large mixing bowl with the olive oil mixture, reserving about 1 tablespoon of the mixture.
• Lightly flour a cutting board or working surface. Roll the dough out into a 12 inch by 9 inch rectangle--or something of that nature. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
• Grease a large mixing bowl with olive oil. Add the dough cubes, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, a small pinch of salt, and up to 1 cup of pizza toppings of your choice. Toss to evenly distribute ingredients.
• Spread the dough mixture evenly in the bundt pan or baking dish and brush the remaining olive oil evenly over the top of the dough.
• Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes if using a bundt pan, or 15-20 minutes if using a baking dish, until bread is cooked through and golden brown. Check the pizza bread halfway through cooking. If you notice the top is browning before the dough is cooked through, cover with foil for the remaining of the bake time. 
• Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minute in pan. Serve right from baking dish, or if a bundt pan was used, carefully remove the pizza bread from the bundt pan, using a knife to loosen from the sides of the pan if needed. Invert the bread and serve with pizza sauce or marinara sauce.

Notes

• If you want to cut this recipe in half, use only 1 pound of pizza dough and bake in a 9x9 greased pan for 15-20 minutes. 
• If using canned pizza dough, use 2 (13.9 ounce) cans and proceed with the recipe as stated. 
• Use any toppings as desired, but it is best to limit toppings that are high in moisture (like peppers, mushrooms, and spinach) to no more than 1/2 cup, so that the dough does not become soggy. 
• If you would like to add pizza sauce to your pull apart pizza bread, add no more than 1/4 cup to the dough mixture before baking. 

Nutrition Facts

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 424 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 24mg8%

Sodium 1367mg59%

Potassium 237mg7%

Carbohydrates 59g20%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 17g34%

Vitamin A 487IU10%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 194mg19%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram or Facebook - I would love to see!

This post was originally published in 2016, but has been updated with new pictures and tips in 2020.