Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe

Introduction

Parmesan Bread Bites are a deliciously soft and cheesy snack perfect for sharing. Made with homemade pizza dough and a rich garlic butter, these bites deliver irresistible flavor and a satisfying texture. They’re ideal for dipping in warm marinara sauce for an extra burst of taste.

Ingredients

• Homemade pizza dough (your favorite recipe or store-bought)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic salt as a substitute)
• ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt, adjust if using garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced)
• 4 to 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated preferred
• Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray, for greasing
• Marinara sauce, warmed, for dipping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Grease a large baking sheet generously with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Prepare your pizza dough according to your chosen recipe. Let it rise until doubled in size, then punch it down gently and transfer to a floured surface.
3. Step 3: Cut the dough into approximately 1-inch bite-sized pieces, aiming for uniformity for even baking.
4. Step 4: Arrange the dough bites on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Cover loosely with a clean towel and let rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes to allow a second rise.
5. Step 5: While the dough rests, mix the garlic butter. Combine unsalted butter, minced garlic or garlic salt, salt, Italian seasoning, and parsley in a small bowl until creamy.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
7. Step 7: Uncover the dough bites and brush them generously with about half of the garlic butter mixture.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven, place the pan on a wire rack, and immediately brush the bites with the remaining garlic butter. Warm the butter slightly if it has thickened.
10. Step 10: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the hot bread bites to melt slightly.
11. Step 11: Serve the Parmesan Bread Bites hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; garlic salt works as a mild shortcut but adjust salt accordingly.
• For chewier bites, use bread flour in your pizza dough; all-purpose flour yields a softer texture.
• Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a subtle spicy kick.
• Fresh parsley offers a brighter flavor and appearance—use double the amount compared to dried parsley.
• Make dough ahead: Refrigerate homemade dough for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage. Bring to room temperature before using.

Storage

Store leftover bread bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough instead of homemade?

Yes, store-bought dough can be used if you’re short on time. However, homemade dough will provide better flavor and texture for softer, more flavorful bread bites.

What can I use if I don’t have garlic butter?

You can prepare a simple mix of melted butter, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Alternatively, garlic powder mixed with melted butter works in a pinch but fresh garlic gives the best taste.

Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 50 reviews

These Parmesan Bread Bites are soft, fluffy, and packed with savory garlic butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Made with homemade pizza dough for the perfect chewy texture, they are baked to golden perfection and served hot with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping. A perfect appetizer or snack that combines classic Italian flavors with an irresistible buttery, cheesy finish.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 45 minutes (including dough rising and preparation)
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 30–40 bite-sized bread bites 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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Homemade Pizza Dough

• 1 batch of homemade pizza dough (using flour, water, active dry yeast, olive oil, and salt)

Garlic Butter

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic salt as substitute)
• 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon salt (adjust if using garlic salt)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely minced)

Additional Ingredients

• 4 to 6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray for greasing the baking sheet
• Warm marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Generously grease a large sheet pan with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote a slightly crispy bottom. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Pizza Dough: Make your pizza dough following your preferred recipe by combining flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and salt. Knead it until smooth and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release some air without deflating it.
3. Cut the Dough into Bite-Sized Pieces: On a lightly floured surface, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into approximately 1-inch pieces, aiming for uniform size to ensure even baking.
4. Arrange Dough Bites and Rest: Place the dough pieces spaced about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Loosely cover with a clean kitchen towel and leave in the warmest area of the kitchen for about 30 minutes to allow the bites to rest and rise slightly again (proofing).
5. Prepare Garlic Butter and Preheat Oven: In a small bowl, cream together the room temperature unsalted butter, minced garlic (or garlic salt), salt, Italian seasoning, and dried or fresh parsley until combined and creamy. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
6. Brush with Garlic Butter and Bake: Remove the towel from the baking sheet and generously brush the tops of the dough bites with garlic butter, reserving some for later. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crisp on top.
7. Second Butter Brush and Parmesan Sprinkle: Take the baked bread bites out of the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Immediately brush the tops with the remaining garlic butter, reheating it briefly if necessary for easier spreading. Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the warm bites to melt slightly.
8. Serve Hot: Serve the Parmesan Bread Bites immediately while warm and soft, accompanied by warm marinara sauce for dipping for a delightful contrast of flavors.

Notes

• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded for better flavor and melting.
• If using garlic salt instead of fresh garlic, reduce or omit added salt accordingly to avoid oversalting.
• Homemade pizza dough can be made in advance and refrigerated for 2-3 days or frozen for longer storage; bring back to room temperature before use.
• Ensure the oven is fully preheated to 400°F to achieve the ideal crust texture.
• Spacing dough bites evenly helps them bake through and develop a nice texture without becoming soggy.
• Fresh parsley provides a brighter flavor than dried, but either works well.
• Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; leftover bread bites can be reheated but may lose some softness.

Keywords: Parmesan Bread Bites, Garlic Butter Bread Bites, Homemade Pizza Dough, Appetizer, Italian Snacks, Parmesan Garlic Bread