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Easy Cheesy Football Pull-Apart Bread: Best Game Day Appetizer

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This cheesy football-shaped pull-apart bread is the ultimate game day appetizer. With a blend of mozzarella and cheddar, garlic butter coating, and a fun football shape, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture preferred)
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk (110°F), sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy and bubbly.
  2. Make the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead with dough hook on medium speed for 6 minutes, or by hand on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky.
  3. First rise: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare garlic butter: While dough rises, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in parsley, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  5. Shape the football: Punch down dough and roll into a 12×18 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Cut into 24-30 small squares (about 2×2 inches each).
  6. Assemble the bread: Flatten each square in your palm, place about a teaspoon of the mozzarella-cheddar blend in the center, gather edges and pinch to seal. Roll into a ball. Repeat with all squares.
  7. Form the football shape: On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange filled dough balls in the shape of a football—start with one ball at each end, building wider rows toward the middle. Leave a little space between balls.
  8. Second rise: Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes until puffed and touching.
  9. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush risen bread generously with garlic butter. Sprinkle sesame seeds in three parallel lines down the center for football laces. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
  10. Serve immediately: Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then serve warm with dipping sauces.

Notes

Grate your own cheese for best melt—pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Don’t overfill dough balls (about 1 teaspoon per ball) to prevent cheese from bursting out. For extra crispy edges, brush with another layer of garlic butter halfway through baking. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight or frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pull-apart bread, football bread, game day appetizer, cheesy bread, garlic bread, party appetizer, Super Bowl food

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/easy-cheesy-football-pull-apart-bread-best-game-day-appetizer/