Is there anything in this world more comforting than the smell of warm, yeasty bread baking in your oven? I’m not sure there is. It’s a smell that feels like a hug, promising something delicious is just moments away.
These Parmesan Bread Bites are the ultimate fulfillment of that promise. They are little clouds of joy, brushed with garlicky butter and showered with salty, nutty Parmesan cheese. They are ridiculously easy to make and even easier to devour.
Seriously, make a double batch. I’m not kidding. The first tray will vanish before you’ve even had a chance to pour the marinara sauce into a dipping bowl. They are that good.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to snack-time bliss. Here’s everything you’ll need to create these little bites of heaven.
- Pizza Dough (⅓ of a standard recipe): This is your foundation. You can use your favorite homemade dough or a reliable store-bought version. The dough’s yeastiness is what gives the bites their wonderful, airy texture.
- Butter (6 tablespoons): Unsalted is best here, as it lets you control the salt level. This creates the rich, glossy coating that makes the seasonings and cheese stick.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Fresh is absolutely key! The sharp, aromatic punch of fresh garlic is irreplaceable and forms the soul of the flavor.
- Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): This convenient blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme adds a wonderful, savory depth with just one scoop.
- Kosher Salt (¼ teaspoon, heaping): A good pinch of salt is essential to balance the richness of the butter and cheese and to make all the other flavors pop.
- Grated Parmesan (⅓ cup): Use the good stuff from the refrigerated section, not the shelf-stable canister. It melts better and has a far superior, sharper flavor.
- Marinara Sauce (½ cup, for serving): Your favorite jarred or homemade marinara for dipping. It’s the classic, tangy partner that brings everything together.
How to make Easy Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe?
Don’t let the deliciousness fool you; the process is wonderfully straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for perfect results every single time.
Step 1: Preparing Your Dough
If your dough has been chilling in the refrigerator, give it a chance to wake up. Let the bag sit on your kitchen counter for a full hour before you begin. This makes it much easier to handle and roll out.
Step 2: Shaping the Bites
Lay a piece of parchment paper on your counter. Divide your dough into four equal pieces. Take one piece and gently roll it with your hands into a long rope, about 10 inches long.
Using a pizza cutter or a very sharp knife, slice this rope into ten equal pieces, each about an inch long. Repeat this process with the remaining three pieces of dough.
Step 3: The Second Rise
Generously spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Place all your little dough pieces on the sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Cover the entire tray loosely with a clean tea towel.
Walk away. Let them sit undisturbed for 30 minutes. This short rest allows them to puff up just a bit more, ensuring a light and tender interior.
Step 4: Creating the Garlic Butter Bath
While the dough rests, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Now, melt your butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and that heaping pinch of kosher salt.
The aroma that will waft from that bowl is nothing short of magical. Give it a good mix until everything is beautifully combined.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Once the bites have rested, it’s time to bake. Using a pastry brush, gently dab half of your garlic butter mixture onto the tops of the dough pieces. Reserve the other half for later.
Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for exactly 15 minutes. They should be lightly golden. Remember, do not overbake them! They will harden as they cool.
Step 6: The Finishing Touches
The second they come out of the oven, it’s finishing time. Work quickly while they’re hot. Brush half of the bites with half of the reserved garlic butter, then immediately sprinkle them with half of the Parmesan cheese.
Repeat with the remaining bites, butter, and cheese. Doing it in two batches ensures the cheese has a wet, buttery surface to cling to. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Best Time to Serve This Dish
These bites are the ultimate versatile snack. They are absolutely perfect for game day gatherings, sitting right alongside wings and dips.
They also make a fantastic appetizer to kick off a family pasta night. Or, honestly, they are a sublime treat for a quiet Tuesday afternoon when you just need a little carb-loaded comfort.
Tips
- A few little secrets can take your bread bites from great to absolutely legendary. Keep these pointers in mind for the best experience.
- Always use fresh, refrigerated dough for the best texture. If using homemade dough, ensure it has gone through its first rise properly for maximum fluffiness.
- For an extra flavor boost, try adding a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes to your melted garlic butter mixture. It gives a subtle, welcome heat.
- Have all your ingredients—melted butter, grated cheese, marinara—ready to go before the bites come out of the oven. This allows you to work quickly and serve them piping hot.
Ingredient Substitutions
Don’t have every single ingredient? No problem! This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to what you have in your pantry right now.
If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can easily make your own blend. A mix of dried oregano, basil, and a tiny bit of thyme will work perfectly.
For the Parmesan, freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese would be a fantastic, slightly sharper substitute. Even a good, sharp white cheddar would work in a pinch for a different flavor profile.
For a dairy-free version, use a high-quality plant-based butter and a vegan Parmesan-style cheese alternative. The method remains exactly the same.
How to Store and Reheat
If, by some miracle, you have any leftovers, you’ll want to know how to bring them back to life. They are best enjoyed the day they are made, but can be saved.
Let the bites cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Avoid refrigerating them, as this can make the bread stale faster.
To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-8 minutes, until warmed through and crisp on the outside. The microwave will make them soft and chewy, so the oven is definitely the way to go.
Flavor Variations
The basic recipe is a classic for a reason, but feel free to get creative and make it your own. The possibilities are nearly endless.
For an herby twist, stir a tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley into the garlic butter. You could also add a teaspoon of lemon zest for a bright, surprising zing.
Turn them into pizza bites by sprinkling a little bit of shredded mozzarella and a few tiny pepperoni pieces on top before baking. Just keep an eye on them as they bake.
For a everything-bagel-inspired version, brush the bites with the garlic butter and then roll them in a mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, and salt before the final rise.
These Easy Parmesan Bread Bites are more than just a recipe; they are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, a simple joy, and a testament to the fact that the best foods are often the most straightforward. Now, go preheat that oven. Your new favorite snack awaits.
Easy Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe
Description
These Easy Parmesan Bread Bites are a golden, garlicky, cheese-topped appetizer made from homemade pizza dough. Baked until soft and fluffy, then brushed with a rich garlic butter and generously sprinkled with Parmesan, they're irresistible when dipped in warm marinara. Perfect for game day, parties, or as a quick snack, these bite-sized treats disappear fast!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Let Dough Rise
If using refrigerated pizza dough, remove it from the fridge and let it rest in its bag at room temperature for 1 hour before starting.This helps relax the gluten for easier handling. -
Preheat Oven & Prep Pan
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.A rimmed pan prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier. -
Shape the Bites
On a piece of parchment paper, divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 10-inch rope. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut each rope into 10 one-inch pieces (40 total). Arrange on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.Parchment paper makes transferring easy and prevents sticking. -
Second Rise
Cover the baking sheet loosely with a clean tea towel and let the dough rise undisturbed for 30 minutes.They will puff up slightly. -
Make Garlic Butter
While the dough rises, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt until well combined.Use immediately while warm. -
Brush & Bake
Brush the tops of the dough pieces with half of the garlic butter mixture. Reserve the other half for after baking. Bake for 15 minutes, or until very lightly golden. Do not overbake, or they will harden.Rotate the pan halfway through for even browning. -
Add Cheese
As soon as the bites come out of the oven, brush them with half of the remaining garlic butter. Immediately sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese so it sticks. Repeat with the remaining bites and cheese.Work quickly—warm bites help the cheese adhere. -
Serve Warm
Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce or herbed olive oil for dipping.Best enjoyed fresh and hot!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 5 bites + 1 tbsp marinara
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 120kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 5.5gg9%
- Saturated Fat 3.5gg18%
- Trans Fat 0.2gg
- Cholesterol 15mgmg5%
- Sodium 280mgmg12%
- Potassium 45mgmg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 14gg5%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5gg2%
- Sugars 1gg
- Protein 3gg6%
- Calcium 50mg mg
- Iron 0.8mg mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Dough options: Use ⅓ batch of homemade pizza dough or about 1 lb of store-bought dough.
- No overbaking: Remove from oven as soon as they’re lightly golden. Overbaking leads to tough, dry bites.
- Cheese tip: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated (which contains anti-caking agents).
- Serving idea: Serve with marinara, alfredo, ranch, or herbed olive oil for dipping.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving if possible.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough pieces on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to cook time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! One pound of store-bought dough works perfectly. Let it come to room temperature before shaping for best results.
Why did my bread bites turn out hard?
Likely due to overbaking. Bake only until lightly golden—15 minutes is usually perfect. They continue to firm up as they cool.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough pieces and refrigerate them (covered) for up to 24 hours before the second rise and baking. For longer storage, freeze unbaked bites.