Triple Cheese Garlic Bread Bites (Printable)
Golden, soft bread bites packed with mozzarella, cheddar and Parmesan, brushed with garlic butter and parsley.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (7 g) instant yeast
03 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - ¾ cup warm water (105–115°F)
06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
→ Three-Cheese Filling
07 - 1 cup (120 g) shredded whole-milk mozzarella
08 - ½ cup (60 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - ¼ cup (30 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened to room temperature
11 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
13 - ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
→ Garlic Butter Finish
14 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
17 - Flaky sea salt, for finishing
# Directions:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Pour in the warm water and olive oil, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth, supple, and springs back when pressed. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
02 - While the dough rises, combine the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, grated Parmesan, softened cream cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until all the cheeses are evenly distributed and the mixture holds together when scooped.
03 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
04 - Gently punch down the risen dough to release excess air. Divide it into 18 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a 3-inch round. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the cheese filling in the center of each round, then gather and pinch the edges firmly to seal. Roll gently between your palms to form a smooth ball.
05 - Place the stuffed dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight expansion.
06 - Bake on the center rack for 18–20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the tops are deep golden brown and the cheese filling is bubbling at the seams.
07 - While the bread bites bake, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl.
08 - Remove the bread bites from the oven and immediately brush generously with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Allow to cool for 3–5 minutes before serving warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Three cheeses melted together inside soft homemade dough is the kind of indulgence that makes people close their eyes when they take a bite.
- They come together in about 40 minutes of active time, which means you can decide to make them on a whim and still serve them before anyone loses interest.
02 -
- Seal the dough edges tightly and give each ball a quick roll between your palms, because any gaps will open up in the oven and you will lose cheese to the baking sheet.
- Cream cheese needs to be properly softened before mixing, otherwise you will end up with cold lumps that refuse to blend with the other cheeses.
03 -
- Warm water between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot, and if you do not have a thermometer, the water should feel comfortably warm on your inner wrist but never hot.
- Brush the garlic butter on while the bites are still piping hot so it seeps into every crevice rather than sitting on the surface.