Easy Pizza Pull Apart Bread Recipe – Gooey, Cheesy, Crowd-Pleaser

Golden pizza dough, stretchy mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan baked into one pullable, dunkable crowd-pleaser.

This pull apart pizza bread recipe turns refrigerated pizza dough into warm, cheesy bites that pull easily from a golden Bundt-pan ring. Each piece is coated with olive oil, mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, garlic, basil, and Italian seasoning, then baked until the edges are crisp and the center is soft and fully cooked.

It takes about 10 minutes to assemble and 30 minutes to bake, making it an easy choice for game day, movie night, parties, sleepovers, or a casual family dinner. Serve it warm with marinara or pizza sauce on the side so the bread stays crisp rather than becoming soggy.

The result is part pepperoni pizza, part savory monkey bread, and entirely built for sharing. No slicing is required—just pull off a cheesy piece, dip it, and try to act surprised when the plate empties.

What Is Pull Apart Pizza Bread?

Pull apart pizza bread is a shareable pizza appetizer made by cutting pizza dough into small pieces, coating those pieces with cheese, pepperoni, oil, garlic, and herbs, and baking them together. Instead of cutting the finished bread into slices, everyone pulls off individual bites.

You may also see it called pizza pull apart bread, pepperoni pizza monkey bread, or Bundt pan pizza bread. The names vary, but the goal is the same: plenty of crisp edges, a tender center, and cheese tucked between the dough pieces.

Why This Pizza Pull Apart Bread Recipe Works

• Refrigerated pizza dough keeps it easy. Two cans provide enough dough for a generous party ring without waiting for dough to rise.
• The sauce stays on the side. That protects the bread from excess moisture and gives every piece a fresh pizza-sauce dip.
• Two cheeses do different jobs. Mozzarella creates the melt and stretch, while Parmesan adds salty, savory flavor and browned edges.
• The Bundt pan exposes more dough to heat. The center opening helps the bread bake more evenly than a densely packed loaf.
• It is easy to customize. Change the meat, cheese, herbs, or dipping sauce without changing the basic method.

Pull Apart Pizza Bread Ingredients

This pull apart pizza bread with pizza dough uses familiar pizza-night ingredients. Keep the sauce out of the pan and serve it on the side for the best texture.

• 2 cans refrigerated pizza dough: Cut the dough into roughly 2-inch pieces so the bites bake at a similar rate.
• ⅓ cup olive oil: Coats the dough, carries the seasonings, and encourages golden edges.
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Use low-moisture mozzarella for reliable melting without adding too much liquid.
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese: Adds savory flavor and crisp, browned spots throughout the bread.
• About 1 cup mini pepperoni: Mini pepperoni distributes more evenly than full-size slices. Add it to taste.
• 2 tablespoons parsley: Adds color and a mild herby note.
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: Gives the bread familiar pizzeria flavor.
• ½ cup shredded fresh basil: Adds fresh flavor that balances the rich cheese and pepperoni.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Seasons every dough piece without adding extra moisture.
• Marinara or pizza sauce: Warm it separately and serve it as a dip.

For a fully homemade version, replace the refrigerated dough with Copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Dough. Use enough prepared dough to equal the two refrigerated cans called for in the recipe.

How to Make Pull Apart Pizza Bread in a Bundt Pan

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the Bundt pan thoroughly, including the center tube and every groove. Melted cheese likes to hold on, so this is not the moment for a delicate mist of cooking spray.

2. Cut the Pizza Dough

Unroll the pizza dough and cut it into strips. Cut the strips into roughly 2-inch squares. They do not need to be perfectly uniform, but very large pieces may remain doughy after the smaller ones are done.

3. Coat the Dough

Place the dough pieces in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the olive oil, then add the mozzarella, Parmesan, mini pepperoni, parsley, Italian seasoning, basil, and garlic powder. Gently toss until the dough pieces are coated and the mix-ins are distributed throughout the bowl.

4. Fill the Bundt Pan

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Arrange it loosely instead of pressing it into a solid mass. If your pan is small, do not overfill it; bake any extra mixture in a greased loaf pan or small baking dish.

5. Bake Until Golden

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the visible dough is golden and the pieces near the center no longer look wet or raw. If the exposed top browns before the middle is finished, cover the pan loosely with foil and continue baking.

6. Rest and Turn Out

Let the bread rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a thin spatula around the outer and inner edges where needed, place a serving plate over the pan, and carefully invert. Garnish with extra Parmesan or basil and serve warm.

How Do You Know Pull Apart Pizza Bread Is Done?

The top should be deeply golden, the cheese should be melted, and the dough in the thickest part of the ring should look baked rather than shiny or gummy. Check between a few center pieces with a thin knife or fork. If the inside is still raw, return the pan to the oven in 5-minute increments.

Do not rely on the browned top alone. Pepperoni and cheese can color quickly while tightly packed dough underneath still needs time.

Expert Tips for the Best Pizza Monkey Bread

• Grease every curve of the pan. Pay special attention to the center tube, where cheese can create stubborn spots.
• Separate stuck dough pieces before tossing. The oil and seasonings coat more evenly when the pieces are not clumped together.
• Do not compress the mixture. Looser layers allow hot air to move between the pieces and help the center bake.
• Drain greasy or watery add-ins. Cooked sausage, mushrooms, spinach, and other toppings should be drained before they go into the bowl.
• Keep the dipping sauce separate. Sauce baked inside the ring can make the center heavy and soggy.
• Serve it promptly. The cheese pull is at its best while the bread is warm.

Can I Make Pull Apart Pizza Bread Without a Bundt Pan?

Yes. A greased loaf pan, tube pan, or 9×13-inch baking dish can work. Spread the mixture in an even, loose layer and begin checking it near the 25-minute mark. A shallow baking dish may finish sooner than a deep loaf pan.

Whatever pan you use, leave room for the dough to expand and check the center before removing it from the oven.

Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread Variations

Cheese Pizza Bread

Leave out the pepperoni and add another handful of mozzarella. Serve with pizza sauce for a simple meatless version.

Meat Lover’s Pizza Bread

Add cooked, well-drained sausage, bacon, or diced ham. Keep the total amount of add-ins reasonable so the dough can still expand and bake through.

Vegetable Pizza Bread

Add chopped bell peppers, olives, onions, mushrooms, or spinach. Sauté and drain vegetables that release a lot of moisture.

Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread

Replace the pepperoni with cooked shredded chicken and add a light drizzle of buffalo sauce. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

White Pizza Bread

Skip the pepperoni and use mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, and basil. For more creamy white-pizza flavor, pair it with the ideas in this Ricotta and Spinach Pizza Recipe.

What to Serve with Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Serve the bread as an appetizer with several dips, or turn it into an easy dinner with a salad, raw vegetables, or another pizza-night favorite.

• Warm marinara or pizza sauce
• Garlic butter
• Ranch dressing
• Pesto
• Buffalo sauce
• A crisp green salad
• Carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell pepper strips

For a playful family pizza night, add Cowabunga TMNT Character Pizzas. You can find more dinner and appetizer ideas in the Pizza Night collection.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Refrigerator

Cool leftover pizza bread completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze the baked and cooled bread whole or in individual portions. Wrap it tightly, place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Place the bread on a baking sheet and reheat at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until hot. Cover loosely with foil if the cheese begins to brown too quickly. The microwave works for individual pieces, but the dough will be softer.

Make Ahead

You can cut the dough and measure the cheese, pepperoni, and seasonings ahead of time. For the best rise and texture, toss and bake the bread close to serving time. If you assemble it in the pan and refrigerate it, cover it tightly, bake within 24 hours, and let the pan stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking.

Pull Apart Pizza Bread FAQs

Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Yes. Use prepared homemade dough in place of the two refrigerated cans. Copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Dough gives the bread a soft, pizzeria-style bite.

Can I use biscuit dough instead of pizza dough?

Yes, but the texture changes. Biscuit dough produces a softer, more buttery bread, while pizza dough creates a chewier pizza-style bite. Cut biscuit dough into small, similar-size pieces and check the package baking guidance as well as the center of the bread.

Why is my pull apart pizza bread doughy in the middle?

The pan may be overfilled, the pieces may be too large, or the mixture may have been packed too tightly. Cover the browned top loosely with foil and continue baking until the center pieces are cooked through.

How do I keep pizza pull apart bread from getting soggy?

Serve sauce on the side, use low-moisture mozzarella, drain cooked meats, sauté watery vegetables, and avoid pressing the dough into a dense layer.

Can I make it without pepperoni?

Absolutely. Make a cheese version or replace the pepperoni with cooked sausage, bacon, chicken, or well-drained vegetables.

Can I prepare it the night before?

Yes. Cover the assembled pan and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking, then check the center carefully because chilled dough may need a few extra minutes.

Related Pizza Night Recipes

This recipe was originally published January 14, 2016. It was updated July 14, 2026, with clearer instructions, measured ingredients in the post, troubleshooting guidance, storage information, and improved search-focused organization.