Name: Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 2 h 34 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 to 8 tablespoons salted butter (melted); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 teaspoon Italian parsley (optional); 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 20 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls; 2 cups mozzarella cheese (grated)

There’s something irresistibly fun about pulling apart warm, cheesy bread with your fingers, right? That’s exactly why the Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen — it’s soft, buttery, packed with garlic, and loaded with melty mozzarella that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

A round white plate holds 16 golden-brown dough balls arranged in a circular flower shape, each topped with melted white cheese sprinkled with green herbs and small red flakes. In the center of the plate is a white scalloped bowl filled with bright red marinara sauce. One dough ball is being pulled away by a woman's hand from the lower right corner, stretching melted cheese strings connecting it to the others. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a light gray cloth nearby and a wooden board in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t count how many times this cheesy garlic monkey bread has made an ordinary day feel like a celebration. It’s one of those dependable recipes that’s simple yet impressive — perfect for entertaining or just a cozy weekend treat.

Pull-Apart Fun: It’s so satisfying to pull off a cheesy, garlicky bite right from the center — great for sharing or just treating yourself.
Easy Prep with Frozen Rolls: Using Rhodes frozen dinner rolls saves you tons of time without sacrificing that fresh, fluffy bread texture.
Flavor Explosion: The garlic butter melds perfectly with the melted mozzarella, creating that irresistible savory combo every cheesy bread lover craves.
Versatile & Customizable: You can tweak the spice level, add herbs, or even switch cheeses to suit your taste or occasion.

A round pizza made of 16 small golden-brown dough balls arranged in a circle on a white marbled surface, each topped with melted white cheese and sprinkled green herbs and red chili flakes. In the middle of the dough ball circle sits a small white scalloped bowl filled with thick, red marinara sauce. The pizza and bowl are placed on a round black tray, and a wrinkled light gray cloth is in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe really lies in simple, well-chosen ingredients that come together beautifully. Using frozen dinner rolls ensures fluffiness and a nice rise without fuss, while generous garlic butter coats each piece perfectly for that golden, flavorful crust.

Flat lay of twenty small round frozen dinner rolls with smooth, pale dough, a few whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of bright golden melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of finely minced fresh garlic, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant green Italian parsley leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red crushed red pepper flakes, and a simple white ceramic bowl filled with finely shredded white mozzarella cheese, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen Dinner Rolls: These are a game-changer for quick bread recipes — they rise beautifully and bake into soft, pillow-like bites.
Salted Butter: Melted butter provides richness and moisture, helping to crisp up the outside while keeping the inside tender.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic is key here — it gives that sharp, aromatic punch that garlic bread fans adore.
Italian Parsley (optional): Adds a touch of color and subtle herbal freshness without overpowering the garlic flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those moments when you want just a little heat to offset the cheesy richness.
Mozzarella Cheese: This melts beautifully, creating gooey, stringy cheese pockets that make every bite pure comfort.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about the Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily adjust the seasonings, add your favorite cheeses, or even sneak in some extras for a personalized twist. Get creative!

Variation: Once, I sprinkled some crispy cooked bacon between the layers before baking — it added an irresistible smoky crunch that my friends couldn’t stop talking about.
Herb Boost: Feel free to swap Italian parsley for fresh basil or rosemary for a more pronounced herb flavor.
Cheese Swap: Try mixing mozzarella with sharp cheddar or provolone for a deeper cheesy flavor profile.
Spice It Up: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika if you like your bread with a little kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Garlic Butter Magic

First things first, melt the salted butter gently in the microwave—don’t let it boil, just warm until it’s liquid. Then stir in the minced garlic and Italian parsley if you’re using it. This garlic butter is the flavor bomb that will soak into each roll, so make sure the garlic is finely minced to evenly spread its deliciousness.

Step 2: Coat Each Roll in Garlic Goodness

Next, take each frozen dinner roll (no need to thaw!) and dip it thoroughly into the garlic butter mixture. Make sure every inch is coated—this helps the rolls turn that perfect golden brown and infuses each bite with buttery garlic flavor. I like to keep a bowl handy and dunk one by one so they’re well saturated.

Step 3: Arrange the Rolls to Rise Together

Prepare your baking surface—cast iron skillet, baking sheet, or even a pizza stone—spray it generously with non-stick spray. Place the rolls in two tight circles, close enough so they’ll rise upwards and stick to each other. This arrangement makes for that iconic monkey bread pull-apart effect. Cover them and let them rise in a warm spot for 2-3 hours (or about 90 minutes in a hot kitchen) until doubled in size.

Step 4: Cheese It Up & Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once your rolls have puffed up nicely, sprinkle them generously with shredded mozzarella — be generous, that melty cheese is what takes this bread over the top. If you like spice, sprinkle some red pepper flakes now too. Bake for 18 to 24 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling beautifully. Keep an eye on it because cheese can brown quickly!

Step 5: Serve Warm & Enjoy

Fresh out of the oven, serve this cheesy garlic monkey bread warm — I always have a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Watching everyone pull apart gooey strands of cheese and buttery, garlicky bread is such a joyous sight!

Top Tip

Having made cheesy garlic monkey bread several times, I've learned a few simple tricks that make all the difference between good and unforgettable. These tips have saved me from common pitfalls and made sure every batch comes out perfect.

Perfect Butter Coverage: Don’t skimp on the butter—dunk each roll fully so the outside crisps up beautifully while keeping the inside tender.
Rising Room: Arrange rolls snugly but not squished, allowing space for them to rise upward and stick together for that classic monkey bread pull.
Watch the Bake Time: Cheese can brown quickly, especially on the edges—start checking at 18 minutes so you catch that perfect golden bubbly finish.
Fresh Garlic is Key: Using fresh minced garlic rather than garlic powder yields the freshest and most vibrant flavor.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe

cheesy garlic monkey bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil over the top just before serving to add a pop of color and a fresh herbal note. A little extra cracked black pepper over the warm bread also adds a subtle spice that pairs well with the garlic.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with light salads like arugula with lemon vinaigrette, or a bowl of tomato soup for dipping. For a heartier meal, serve alongside roasted veggies or grilled chicken – it’s fantastic as an appetizer or side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try serving the monkey bread on a wooden board surrounded by small bowls of different dipping sauces — marinara, garlic aioli, or even a spicy ranch. You can also bake it in mini cast iron skillets to make individual servings that feel both rustic and fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and you might!), store them covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. I like wrapping the monkey bread tightly with foil or plastic wrap to keep it from drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked rolls arranged and covered tightly in your pan for up to a month. When ready to bake, thaw and let rise before cooking. For baked leftovers, wrap tightly in foil and freeze. Reheat slowly to bring back softness and melted cheese texture.

Reheating

Reheat in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, covered loosely with foil to prevent over-browning while warming through. If needed, a quick zap in the microwave can help soften any hardened cheese but never for too long or you risk rubbery texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh bread dough instead of frozen dinner rolls?

Absolutely! You can make this cheesy garlic monkey bread with any quick-rise bread dough. Just adjust the rising times and keep an eye on the baking to get that same pull-apart texture. Using frozen rolls just saves time and effort.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with dairy-free margarine or olive oil and use a vegan mozzarella cheese alternative. The texture will be slightly different but still deliciously cheesy and garlicky.

How can I prevent the monkey bread from being too greasy?

To avoid excess greasiness, don’t overload the rolls with butter — a good dip is enough to coat but not soak. Also, draining some of the excess butter before arranging the rolls can help keep the bread tender without heavy greasiness.

Can I add other cheeses besides mozzarella?

Definitely! Feel free to experiment by mixing mozzarella with cheddar, provolone, or even Parmesan for more complexity. Just keep in mind that some cheeses melt differently, so the texture might change slightly but the flavor will be enhanced.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe has become a comfort classic in my home. It’s one of those easy recipes that impress everyone without stress, and it brings so much joy to the table with its pull-apart, melty cheese goodness. I’m confident you’ll love making it just as much as I do — and maybe it’ll become a family favorite for you, too!