Mozzarella & Thyme Savory Pull Apart Bread Recipe

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My mozzarella and thyme savory pull-apart bread recipe is perfect for any holiday gathering. It can feed a hungry family or keep guests satisfied at a party! This delicious dish is more than just a centerpiece.

It's also easy to make and tastes great. You'll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again for holidays, potlucks, or anytime you want something savory that everyone will love. It’s perfect as an appetizer or snack and it makes a great centerpiece for your holiday table.

savory pinwheels baked sitting on marble counter

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Pull Apart Bread Recipe
What Do I Serve This Bread With?
What Other Herbs Can I Add to My Bread?
Can I Use Different Cheeses on Pull Apart Bread?
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Mozzarella and Thyme Pull Apart Bread.
More Bread Recipes
📖 Recipe

Pull Apart Bread Recipe

The holidays are just around the corner and it's time to start thinking of what you're going to be cooking. One dish that's perfect for any holiday gathering is savory pull-apart bread. This recipe has all the flavors of Thanksgiving in one loaf.

If your family likes a side of bread with their meal, then this is a great choice that is a bit more complex than our homemade cheesy garlic bread recipe, but just as delicious!

baking dish of dinner rolls on marble counter

What Do I Serve This Bread With?

One thing about this easy bread recipe is that you can serve it with almost any meal. It can go alongside bacon and eggs at breakfast to replace toast, all the way to a side with your favorite roasted chicken dinner.

It often makes an appearance with things like this sheet pan roasted chicken and veggies recipe or even my favorite Instant Pot roast recipe. Basically, you can serve this with any meal or just as a snack!

What Other Herbs Can I Add to My Bread?

This recipe includes thyme which is a classic Thanksgiving flavor but it also tastes great all year long. There are many other herbs that you can use instead of thyme. Below are some of my favorites to add to this for a unique flavor. Use fresh or dried herbs depending upon availability.

Sage
Flat leaf parsley
Cilantro
Rosemary

And if you want more spice to the bread, below are some other additions that turn out great.

Onion powder
Garlic powder
Taco seasoning
Cajun seasoning
Italian seasoning
Greek seasoning

baking dish of rolls with sesame seeds on top

Can I Use Different Cheeses on Pull Apart Bread?

Mozzarella is a great cheese to use in this savory pull-apart bread but there are many other options out there.

Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, and provolone are all excellent choices for this recipe. Pick your favorite or experiment with several to find the flavors that you enjoy best. Changing up the herbs and cheeses is a great way to make this recipe taste and feel like your own.

Hint: You can even mix the cheese into the dough in small amounts for that melty goodness in every bite!

mozzarella and thyme rolls in baking dish

Ingredients

Warm water
Yeast
Sugar
Powdered milk
All-purpose flour
Dried thyme
Salt
Olive oil
Mozzarella cheese
Dried oregano
Unsalted butter
Egg
Sesame seeds

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Mozzarella and Thyme Pull Apart Bread.

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, powdered milk, and 2 cups of flour together. Let this stand for 10-minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray.

To the yeast mixture, add the dried thyme, salt, olive oil, and the remaining 4 cups of scooped and leveled flour.

If using a stand mixer, add the dough hook, and then let the mixture knead for 10-minutes using the hook. Scrape the sides if needed until the dough ball forms.

If kneading by hand, mix until a dough forms, then lay it out onto a clean lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until a smooth dough has formed.

In a small bowl, mix together the mozzarella, olive oil, and dried oregano.

Lightly flour a clean surface, then place your dough on top of it and roll into a ½" thin rectangle.

Brush the top of the dough with the melted butter, then cover with the mozzarella cheese mixture.

Roll the dough away from you into a long log with the cheese filling in the mixture (similar to a cinnamon roll).

Cut into 1" rounds then place into the prepared baking dish nestled against each other.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water.

Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash. Then sprinkle with sesame seeds.

slices of bread dough in baking dish by bowl of beaten egg

Bake for 15 minutes, uncovered.

Cover and return to the oven to cook for an additional 10 minutes.

If serving hot, be careful of cheese being molten inside.

Can I Use Frozen Bread Dough for This?

I am always looking for ways to make my time in the kitchen shorter. Shortcuts definitely help. This savory pull-apart bread can be made with homemade or store-bought bread dough - either way, it will taste great.

If you've made the dough yourself, you will follow the recipe as it is. If you decide to make this recipe with frozen bread dough, you will follow the directions on the package, then shape as the recipe says.

Does Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread Have to Be Refrigerated?

If you plan on serving this within 24 hours of baking it, then you can leave it out on the counter in an airtight container or bag.

However, if you have leftovers or want to serve the dish later in the week, then I recommend that you store whatever is leftover in an airtight container in your refrigerator. You may even want to add a piece of parchment paper between it and the lid to avoid any cheese from drying out.

How Long is Pull-Apart Bread Good For?

This bread will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days if it is wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container. You may find that it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge overnight.

If you plan on serving this dish at a gathering, make sure you bake it at least 4 hours before you want to serve it. This gives the flavors time to blend together and makes them taste even better.

baking dish of bread pinwheels on marble table

More Bread Recipes

Bread is such a huge part of my life. It's one of the first things I ever learned to make. So, of course, I like including tasty options here for you to try. Below are some more of my favorite savory bread options to make and share with your family!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12

Mozzarella & Thyme Savory Pull Apart Bread Recipe

This delicious mozzarella and thyme savory pull apart bread is a delicious yeast bread that doesn't require hours of rising! A perfect weeknight homemade bread recipe!

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients for Bread

2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons of dry active yeast
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons dry powdered milk
6 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ cup olive oil

Ingredients for Filling

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For Topping

1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, powdered milk, and 2 cups of flour together. Let this stand for 10-minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray.
To the yeast mixture, add the dried thyme, salt, olive oil, and the remaining 4 cups of scooped and leveled flour.
If using a stand mixer, add the dough hook, and then let the mixture knead for 10-minutes using the hook. Scrape the sides if needed until the dough ball forms.
If kneading by hand, mix until a dough forms, then lay it out onto a clean lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until a smooth dough has formed.
In a small bowl, mix together the mozzarella, olive oil, and dried oregano.
Lightly flour a clean surface, then place your dough on top of it and roll into a ½" thin rectangle.
Brush the top of the dough with the melted butter, then cover with the mozzarella cheese mixture.
Roll the dough away from you into a long log with the cheese filling in the mixture (similar to a cinnamon roll).
Cut into 1" rounds then place into the prepared baking dish nestled against each other.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water.
Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash. Then top with sesame seeds.
Bake for 15 minutes, uncovered.
Cover and return to the oven to cook for an additional 10 minutes.
If serving hot, be careful of cheese being molten inside.