Description
If you’re a fan of gooey cheese, crispy bread, and irresistible flavor, this Hasselback Cheesy Bread is going to be your new favorite. It’s perfect as an appetizer, a side dish for soups and salads, or even as a savory snack. Loaded with melty cheese, garlic, herbs, and butter, every bite of this pull-apart bread is packed with flavor and fun.
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Ingredients
For the Bread:
1 large crusty sourdough or Italian loaf (unsliced)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Optional Add-ins:
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp finely chopped green onions
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
Place your loaf on a cutting board.
Step 2: Slice the Bread
Using a sharp bread knife, make slices across the loaf every 1 inch, stopping before you cut all the way through. The base should remain intact to hold the loaf together.
Rotate the bread and make perpendicular slices, forming a crosshatch pattern—again, do not cut all the way through.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
In a small mixing bowl, combine melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, chives, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Mix well until evenly blended.
Step 4: Stuff the Bread
Using a pastry brush or spoon, gently pry apart the bread cuts and brush the garlic butter mixture generously inside each slit.
Stuff shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese deep into the cracks of the bread, ensuring even distribution throughout.
If using Parmesan, green onions, or Italian seasoning, sprinkle them in at this point.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
Place the stuffed loaf on the prepared baking sheet.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Transfer to a serving tray and sprinkle with additional chopped parsley or Parmesan if desired.
Serve hot and let everyone pull apart their own cheesy piece!
Notes
Use Fresh Bread – A slightly stale loaf is harder to slice without crumbling.
Cut Carefully – A serrated knife and steady hand help keep the base intact.
Distribute Evenly – Don’t skimp on cheese or butter—every crevice should be filled.
Watch the Bake – Foil keeps it from over-browning before the cheese melts.