Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe

Introduction

These Parmesan Bread Bites are soft, cheesy, and bursting with garlic and fresh herbs. Perfect as a snack or a party appetizer, they’re easy to make and absolutely irresistible. Serve them warm with marinara for dipping and watch them disappear fast.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey (substitute granulated sugar)
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. Step 2: Combine the warm water, yeast, and honey in a mixing bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast.
3. Step 3: Add the flour, salt, olive oil, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese to the bowl with the yeast mixture.
4. Step 4: Knead the dough on low speed for 8-9 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
5. Step 5: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for 20-30 minutes or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
7. Step 7: Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a clean counter. Shape it into an 8×8 inch square.
8. Step 8: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut 8 one-inch strips from the dough square. Separate the strips to prevent sticking.
9. Step 9: Cut each strip into one-inch squares and spread them out on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least one inch of space between pieces.
10. Step 10: Prepare the garlic butter by melting the butter with minced garlic until fragrant and sizzling. Stir in half the chopped thyme and sage.
11. Step 11: Brush or spoon the garlic butter over the tops of each bread bite.
12. Step 12: Mix the remaining parmesan cheese with the rest of the fresh herbs and sprinkle generously over the bread bites.
13. Step 13: Bake one tray at a time for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown.
14. Step 14: After baking, brush or spoon more garlic butter over the tops and sprinkle with additional cheese.
15. Step 15: Serve the bread bites warm with marinara sauce and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian option, use olive oil instead of butter in the garlic topping.
• Substitute fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 teaspoon dried sage if fresh isn’t available.
• Try adding red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a little heat.
• Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off to avoid dense dough.

Storage

Store leftover bread bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What can I use instead of marinara sauce for dipping?

Garlic butter, ranch dressing, or a creamy cheese dip all pair wonderfully with these bread bites if you want a change from marinara.

Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 57 reviews

These Parmesan Bread Bites are soft, cheesy, and bursting with fresh herb garlic butter flavor. Perfect as a warm appetizer or snack, they combine a tender yeast bread base with melted parmesan and mozzarella, topped off with fragrant thyme and sage. Baked to golden perfection, they’re easy to make and delicious served with marinara dipping sauce.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 64 bread bites 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey (or granulated sugar as substitute)
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

Garlic Butter Topping

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (divided)
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped (divided)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare baking sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking.
2. Activate yeast: In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, active dry yeast, and honey. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
3. Mix dough: Add the flour, sea salt, olive oil, shredded parmesan, and shredded mozzarella to the yeast mixture.
4. Knead dough: Knead on low speed for 8-9 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
5. First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
7. Shape dough: Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a clean counter. Form it into an 8×8-inch square.
8. Cut strips: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 8 one-inch-wide strips. Carefully separate the strips to avoid sticking.
9. Cut squares: Cut each strip into one-inch squares. Transfer the squares onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least one inch apart.
10. Make garlic butter: Melt the butter in a small pan or microwave, then add the minced garlic. Cook/simmer until the garlic is sizzling and fragrant. Stir in half of the fresh thyme and sage.
11. Apply garlic butter: Spoon or brush the garlic butter evenly over the tops of each bread bite.
12. Add cheese and herbs: Mix the remaining fresh thyme and sage with the parmesan cheese, then generously sprinkle this mixture over the bread bites.
13. Bake: Bake the bread bites one tray at a time for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops turn a light golden brown.
14. Final touch: Remove from oven and immediately brush or spoon more garlic butter over the tops. Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
15. Serve: Serve the bread bites warm alongside marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Notes

• When measuring flour, spoon it lightly into the measuring cup and level off with a knife to avoid packing.
• You can substitute granulated sugar for honey if preferred.
• For best flavor, use freshly shredded parmesan and mozzarella cheeses rather than pre-shredded.
• Ensure the water used to activate yeast is warm (around 110°F/43°C) but not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• Allow bread bites to cool slightly before serving for best texture and flavor.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven to restore crispness.

Keywords: Parmesan bread bites, garlic bread bites, cheesy bread snacks, herb garlic bread, easy appetizer, Italian snacks