Warm, gooey cheese and spicy jalapeños dance together in this mouthwatering cheddar jalapeño pull apart bread that promises to electrify your taste buds.
bread lovers rejoice as layers of sharp cheddar and fiery peppers create an irresistible combination.
Each bite delivers a perfect balance of comfort and kick, guaranteed to have everyone reaching for seconds.
The golden, crusty exterior gives way to soft, melty interior strands that practically beg you to pull them apart.
Weekend gatherings and casual dinners will never be the same once you master this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Serve this stunner straight from the oven for maximum flavor and watch as hungry guests devour every last morsel.
Get ready to become the culinary hero who brings serious flavor to the table.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 246 kcal
Servings: 9
Jalapeño Pull-Apart Bread Ingredient Lineup
For The Base:
Pizza Dough: Soft, stretchy foundation that creates the perfect fluffy texture for pull-apart magic; choose fresh, quality dough for best results.
All-Purpose Flour: Essential for dusting work surface to prevent sticking and ensure smooth dough handling.
For The Flavor Boosters:
Jalapeños: Zesty green peppers that add a spicy kick and vibrant color; select firm, bright green peppers for maximum heat and freshness.
Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that provides a smooth, stretchy texture and mild background flavor.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy cheese that introduces a bold, rich taste; opt for aged cheddar for intense flavor profile.
For The Finishing Touch:
Butter: Adds richness, helps create golden-brown exterior, and enhances overall taste; use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
Bread-Making Tools for Spicy Cheddar Bites
Loaf Pan: Essential for shaping and baking the bread.
Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps easy removal.
Sharp Knife: Crucial for cutting dough into precise strips and squares.
Pastry Brush: Perfect for evenly spreading melted butter on dough.
Cutting Board: Provides stable surface for rolling and cutting dough.
Rolling Pin: Helps roll dough into uniform rectangle.
Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
Directions for Jalapeño Pull-Apart Bread
Oven Warmup Kitchen prep begins with heating the oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect environment for your bread's transformation.
Dough Canvas A floured surface welcomes your pizza dough, inviting you to roll it into a generous rectangle that stretches like a delicious landscape.
Flavor Explosion Melted butter becomes a golden river across the dough, followed by a cascade of cheese and spicy jalapeño gems sprinkled with passion.
Cutting Choreography With a sharp knife, slice the dough into three long strips, then transform each strip into six playful squares that will become your bread's building blocks.
Stacking Magic Carefully stack those cheesy squares, creating little towers of flavor that will interlock like a delightful culinary puzzle.
Pan Placement Gently nestle your stacked squares vertically into a prepared baking pan, letting them lean against each other like tasty dominoes.
Baking Transformation Watch your creation puff and turn golden brown in about 25 minutes, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.
Serving Moment Let the bread cool just enough to handle, then pull apart and enjoy the cheesy, spicy masterpiece you've created.
Tips to Add a Kick to Your Bread
Cooking Tips & Variations
Reduce jalapeño heat by removing seeds and membranes before chopping, or swap with milder poblano peppers for a gentler kick.
Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack, gouda, or swiss to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like cilantro, parsley, or chives between layers to add an extra aromatic dimension to your pull-apart bread.
Prepare the assembled bread up to 8 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for maximum convenience and fresh-baked goodness.
Serving Jalapeño Pull-Apart Bread for Sharing
Serve as a Game Day Appetizer: Slice this spicy, cheesy bread and watch it disappear during football gatherings or sports watch parties. Guests will love pulling apart the gooey, melted cheese-filled layers.
Pair with Fresh Dips: Complement the bread's bold flavors by serving alongside cool ranch, salsa verde, or creamy avocado dip. These accompaniments balance the jalapeño's heat and enhance the overall taste experience.
Create a Weekend Brunch Centerpiece: Place the pull-apart bread in the middle of your morning spread. It works perfectly alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or as a standalone crowd-pleasing side dish that everyone will want to dig into.
Enjoy as a Quick Snack: Break off pieces straight from the pan for an instant flavor burst. This versatile bread can be a satisfying midday treat or a late-night comfort food option when hunger strikes.
How to Store Spicy Pull-Apart Bread
Maximize Freshness: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, ensuring maximum flavor and texture retention.
Refrigerate Wisely: When storing in the refrigerator, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delicious cheesy goodness.
Reheat with Care: Warm leftover pull-apart bread in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore its crispy exterior and gooey cheese center. Avoid microwave heating to prevent soggy texture.
Freeze for Later: Freeze the bread in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best results, preserving its original taste and texture.
Savory cheddar jalapeño pull apart bread delivers a spicy, cheesy delight with layers of golden, herb-infused dough. Guests will love this Southern-style crowd-pleaser perfect for gatherings or game day celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) pizza dough
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
¼ cup sliced pickled jalapeño peppers, drained
2 tbsps (30 ml) butter, melted
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and thoroughly grease a loaf pan with butter, then line with parchment paper to facilitate effortless bread removal.
Dough Shaping: On a floured surface, stretch pizza dough into a 10×20 inch rectangular canvas, creating a smooth, even foundation for layering ingredients.
Flavor Layering: Generously brush melted butter across the entire dough surface, then strategically scatter mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and finely diced jalapeños, ensuring an even distribution of flavors and heat.
Sectioning: Slice the dough lengthwise into three equal strips, then cut each strip into six precise squares, maintaining the structural integrity of the cheese and pepper layers.
Stacking and Assembling: Carefully stack four to six squares vertically in the prepared loaf pan, creating an interlocking pattern that maximizes visual appeal and ease of pulling.
Baking: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown transformation and risen texture that signals perfect doneness.
Resting: After removing from the oven, allow the bread to cool for 5-7 minutes, which helps stabilize the layers and ensures clean, satisfying pulls when serving.
Notes
Precision Matters: Use a sharp knife for clean, even dough cuts to ensure uniform stacking and beautiful bread layers.
Cheese Control: Pat cheese dry before sprinkling to prevent excess moisture and maintain structural integrity of the pull-apart bread.
Jalapeño Management: Remove seeds for milder heat or keep them for extra spiciness, adjusting to personal spice tolerance.
Butter Technique: Brush melted butter generously but evenly to prevent dry spots and enhance overall flavor and texture of the bread.
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Program: Classic Culinary Arts
Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.