This fun, shareable pizza monkey bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! With gooey mozzarella, savory turkey pepperoni, and a garlicky butter coating, it's a pull-apart feast perfect for game day, movie night, or any gathering.
What Makes pizza monkey bread So Special
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this pizza monkey bread delivers a fun, shareable feast of gooey cheese, savory bites, and garlicky, buttery dough. It’s the ultimate easy monkey bread for game day, movie night, or any gathering where you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The magic is in the pull-apart format—everyone gets to dive in and grab a warm, cheesy piece. During our team tests, we found that letting the dough pieces come fully to room temperature is the secret to a light, fluffy texture. This simple step makes the dough easier to work with and helps it bake up perfectly. Honestly, once you see how quickly this cheesy monkey bread disappears, you’ll understand why we always recommend making a double batch!
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What You’ll Find in This Article
Ingredients for pizza monkey bread
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this irresistible pizza pull apart bread. We love using a good-quality prepared pizza dough to keep things simple and stress-free.- 1 pound prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 2 ounces turkey pepperoni, cut into small pieces
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup marinara sauce, warmed for serving
Cook Time for easy monkey bread
One of the best things about this recipe is how quickly it comes together. From start to finish, you’ll have a warm, bubbly pizza monkey bread on the table in under an hour. Here’s the breakdown we’ve timed in our test kitchen:- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: About 50 minutes
How to Make pizza monkey bread
Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time. This garlic monkey bread is a hands-on recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a standard 10-cup Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter.2. Cut and Combine
Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut the pizza dough into roughly 1-inch pieces. In a large bowl, toss the dough pieces with the mozzarella cubes and turkey pepperoni pieces until evenly distributed.
3. Make the Coating
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Pour this mixture over the dough and cheese mixture, then gently toss with your hands or a spatula until every piece is lightly coated.4. Bake to Perfection
Transfer the coated dough mixture to the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
5. Cool and Release
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate or platter. The bread should release easily. If any pieces stick, gently loosen them with a knife.6. Serve and Enjoy
Let the monkey bread rest for another 5-10 minutes to set slightly, making it easier to pull apart. Serve warm with the warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
After making this recipe dozens of times, our team has gathered a few favorite tips to help you master this pizza pull apart bread.- Flavor Swap: For a different twist, swap the Italian seasoning for a teaspoon of everything bagel seasoning in the butter coating.
- Timing Tip: If the top is browning too quickly but the center needs more time, simply tent the pan loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Prep Fix: To prevent sticking, make sure you grease every nook of your Bundt pan thoroughly. We like using a baking spray that includes flour for extra insurance.
- Storage Tip: Leftovers reheat beautifully! Cover loosely with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until gooey again.
Flavor & Texture Notes
When you make this pizza monkey bread, you can expect a wonderful combination of savory flavors and satisfying textures. The exterior pieces become golden and slightly crisp from their buttery coating, while the interior stays wonderfully soft and pillowy. As for aroma, your kitchen will fill with the warm, inviting scents of garlic and herbs as it bakes. The true sign of doneness is that deep golden-brown color on top and the sight of melted cheese bubbling at the edges. When you pull a piece apart, you should see strands of melted mozzarella and get a perfect bite of dough, cheese, and savory seasoning in every piece.Variations & Substitutions
One of the joys of this easy monkey bread recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to get creative and make it your own based on what you have on hand or your family’s preferences.- Meat Lovers: Add cooked, crumbled ground beef or sliced chicken sausage along with the turkey pepperoni for a heartier version.
- Veggie Delight: Skip the meat and add a cup of finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives when you toss the dough.
- Extra Cheesy: Mix in a handful of shredded sharp cheddar or a few tablespoons of crumbled feta with the mozzarella for a more complex cheese flavor.
- Dough Options: While prepared pizza dough is our go-to for convenience, you can absolutely use homemade dough or even thawed frozen bread dough.
- Seasoning Boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter coating for a subtle kick, or stir a teaspoon of onion powder in with the garlic powder.
Make-Ahead & Scaling
We love recipes that fit into real life, and this easy monkey bread is wonderfully flexible. You can absolutely prep parts of it ahead of time to make your gathering even smoother. For instance, you can cut the dough and cheese cubes, then store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a day. Just let everything come back to room temperature before assembling and baking for the best texture. When it comes to scaling, this pizza pull apart bread is a dream. To feed a smaller group, simply halve the recipe and bake it in a loaf pan, checking for doneness a few minutes earlier. For a crowd, double everything and use two Bundt pans, rotating them halfway through baking to ensure even browning. The bake time might need a slight increase, so keep an eye on that golden color we love.How to Serve pizza monkey bread
Presentation is part of the fun with this cheesy monkey bread! We always place it right in the center of the table so everyone can gather around and pull off warm, gooey pieces. During our team tests, we found that letting it rest for those 5-10 minutes after inverting makes it much easier to handle and helps the cheese set just enough to create those perfect, stretchy pulls. For a complete spread, pair your garlic monkey bread with a crisp green salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette to balance the richness. It’s also fantastic alongside a bowl of warm soup for a cozy meal. Don’t forget the warmed marinara sauce for dipping—it’s the classic companion that everyone expects. One of our favorite reader tips is to set out small plates and napkins—this pizza monkey bread is deliciously messy in the best way. It’s the kind of food that sparks conversation and creates a relaxed, joyful atmosphere.
Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve made (and fixed!) plenty of mistakes in our test kitchen, so you don’t have to. Here are the most common pitfalls we see with this monkey bread pizza and how to steer clear of them for perfect results every time. Using Cold Dough: If you’ve ever wondered why your bread was dense, cold dough is often the culprit. Always let your pizza dough come fully to room temperature. This makes it easier to cut and allows it to rise properly, giving you that light, fluffy texture we all love. Skimping on Grease: There’s nothing sadder than a beautiful pizza monkey bread that sticks to the pan. To prevent this, be incredibly generous when greasing your Bundt pan, getting into every crevice. A baking spray with flour is our team’s secret weapon for a flawless release. Overbaking: It’s easy to leave it in a few minutes too long, hoping for more color. However, overbaking can dry out your cheesy monkey bread. Pull it out when the top is a deep golden brown and you see cheese bubbling at the edges—the residual heat will finish the job perfectly. Cutting Cheese Too Big: While we love big cheese pulls, cubes that are too large can create heavy, doughy pockets. Stick to the ½-inch size for the mozzarella; they melt evenly and distribute beautifully throughout every bite of your pizza pull apart bread. Remember, even if a mistake happens, this easy monkey bread is incredibly forgiving and will still taste great. These tips just help you achieve that picture-perfect, crowd-wowing version.How to Store pizza monkey bread
Good news: this pizza monkey bread stores and reheats beautifully. After one of our big team tastings, we always have a plan for the leftovers! Let the bread cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for a day, but for longer storage, we recommend the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back that just-baked magic, we avoid the microwave, which can make the dough rubbery. Instead, wrap the bread (or individual portions) loosely in foil and warm it in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This method gently re-melts the cheese and restores the soft, warm texture perfectly. You can also freeze this garlic monkey bread for future cravings. Wrap the cooled bread securely in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the oven method above.Try This pizza monkey bread Yourself
We genuinely hope you give this recipe a try in your own kitchen. It’s one of those dishes that consistently brings smiles to our test kitchen and, more importantly, to the tables of everyone who makes it. The process is straightforward, the ingredients are simple, and the payoff—a warm, shareable, cheesy monkey bread—is absolutely worth it. Whether you’re prepping for game day, needing a fun dinner idea, or just want to treat your family to something special, this pizza pull apart bread is a guaranteed hit. We’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Remember, cooking is about joy and connection, and this easy monkey bread is designed to deliver both.Pizza Monkey Bread
This fun, shareable pizza monkey bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! With gooey mozzarella, savory turkey pepperoni, and a garlicky butter coating, it's a pull-apart feast perfect for game day, movie night, or any gathering.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a standard 10-cup Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
- Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut the pizza dough into roughly 1-inch pieces. In a large bowl, toss the dough pieces with the mozzarella cubes and turkey pepperoni pieces until evenly distributed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Pour this mixture over the dough and cheese mixture, then gently toss with your hands or a spatula until every piece is lightly coated.
- Transfer the coated dough mixture to the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate or platter. The bread should release easily. If any pieces stick, gently loosen them with a knife.
- Let the monkey bread rest for another 5-10 minutes to set slightly, making it easier to pull apart. Serve warm with the warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Nutrition
Notes
Pro Tips: Letting the dough come fully to room temperature is key for a light, fluffy texture. Grease the Bundt pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Leftovers reheat beautifully in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
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Submit Your RecipeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade pizza dough for this monkey bread?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works wonderfully. Just ensure it has gone through its first rise and is at room temperature before you start cutting it into pieces. The texture might be even more flavorful and airy.
How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out and burning?
Cutting your cheese into consistent ½-inch cubes is key. Also, make sure to toss everything gently but thoroughly so each dough piece gets a light coating of the butter mixture, which helps create a barrier. A well-greased pan also prevents any stuck-on cheese from burning.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
For the best texture, reheat your pizza monkey bread in the oven. Wrap it loosely in foil and warm at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. This gently revives the soft dough and gooey cheese without making it tough or dry.
Can I assemble the monkey bread ahead of time and bake it later?
You can, with one caveat. Assemble the coated dough and cheese in the pan, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to a few hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before baking, as starting with a very cold pan can affect the bake time and texture.
