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Home » Course » Appetizers

Appetizers

Cheesy Pesto Pull-Apart Bread

Published: June 10, 2015   |   Updated: June 30, 2022   |   20 Comments

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There’s plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

If anyone’s in the mood for an easy appetizer that feeds a crowd, you’re in luck! Today we’re gonna be making a cheesy pesto pull-apart bread that is chockful of stringy cheese and pesto goodness.

There are really only four ingredients and you can get them all at the grocery store easily. All you need are French bread, butter, pesto and cheese to make this amazing appetizer with epic cheese strings. That’s it. I did say easy, didn’t I? 🙂

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

So taking cues from bloomin’ onion bread, this appetizer is fun and easy but packs ten times the cheese power because I used melty Italian cheese instead of cheddar cheese. So expect lots of ooey gooey, cheesy strings. Let’s get started!

CHEESY PESTO PULL-APART BREAD RECIPE TIPS

We begin by cutting the baguette. I used a crusty baguette because I figured it would be easier to cut. Use a serrated bread knife to make about 1″ cuts diagonally across the bread and cut until it almost reaches the bottom.

You’ll want to keep the bottom intact so the bread holds together. Then make diagonal cuts cross-wise in the opposite direction.  This may take some time getting used to but if I can do it (horrible at cutting bread), you can too!

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.
There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

Melt some butter in the microwave and pour it evenly along the cuts of the baguette. Then start spreading your pesto. I started off using a spoon but switched over to a butter knife. It gives you more control over the spreading, at least for me.

It’s great if you have two pairs of hands here, one to open up the bread and one to spread the basil. This might be a fun thing to do with your kids! But if it’s just you in the kitchen, that’s okay too. It’ll just take a little longer. I used about half a cup of pesto but if you want a very strong pesto flavor, use one cup instead.

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

I found the cheese stuffing part to be the easiest step. I used an Italian blend with lots of melty cheese because we want strings. Lots and lots of cheese strings! It has mozzarella, provolone, romano, asiago and parmesan cheese.

Stuffing the cheese in between cuts ends up expanding the bread a little and this is where it starts looking good. This is a fun step because it’s okay if you’re messy.

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

Then you wrap it up in aluminum foil and bake it for 15 minutes completely covered to warm the bread and melt the cheese. Then we open up the foil and expose the bread to bake for another 10 minutes. This is to add the crunch factor and is so worth it. Cheese + crunch = best appetizer ever!

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

Remove from the oven and you’re ready to serve! I advise waiting a couple of minutes, like ten or so for that sweet spot where it doesn’t hurt to touch and eat it but it’s still hot enough for a maximum melty string experience.

And you’re ready to pounce! Just be careful with the oven and don’t burn yourself like little ms. amateur here 😉

MORE BREAD APPETIZERS TO TRY

  • Homemade Garlic Bread
  • Parmesan Garlic Knots
  • Cheddar Bay Biscuits
  • Bloomin’ Onion Bread

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There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

Cheesy Pesto Pull-Apart Bread


★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: The Cooking Jar
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: 12 1x
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Description

There’s plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 baguette
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup pesto
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian five cheese blend, shredded

Instructions

  1. Using a serrated knife, make 1″ diagonal cuts across the baguette while leaving the bottom intact. Repeat by cutting it again in the opposite direction.
  2. Pour the melted butter in between the cuts of the bread and distribute evenly.
  3. Using a spoon or butter knife, spread the pesto along the cuts.
  4. Transfer to aluminum foil and generously stuff the cheese in between cuts.
  5. Wrap up completely in aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
  6. Open up the foil to expose the bread and bake for another 10 minutes to make it crunchy.
  7. Remove from oven and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  8. Dish and serve warm.
  9. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Scroll up to RECIPE TIPS for more useful tips, suggestions and ingredient substitutions.
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below or share a photo of the recipe on Instagram by tagging @cookingjar

There's plenty of cheese action in this cheesy pesto pull-apart bread. Feed a crowd with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer.

posted in: Appetizers, Oven

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Frank R says

    November 10, 2021

    Excellent and crowd pleasing. Perfect as an hors d’oeuvre or to take when you’ve been told by a host to not bring anything. Travels well.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      November 11, 2021

      I’m glad it was a hit! Thank you for letting me know, Frank.

      Reply
  2. Asia says

    February 4, 2017

    Hello , i had a question. I was wondering where do I find the pesto spread at?

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      February 4, 2017

      I think I found it in the pasta sauce section of my local grocery store. Good luck!

      Reply
  3. FoodGeekGraze says

    August 13, 2015

    i could climb into the top photo and make a feast of it, farah.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      August 15, 2015

      Or a face-plant! Eat it like a beast! Okay, I’m having way too much fun with that mental picture, haha.

      Reply
  4. Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says

    July 28, 2015

    So happy to have just discovered your blog! This bread looks sooo delicious, can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      July 29, 2015

      Hope it turns out well for you!

      Reply
  5. Aaron Chow says

    July 20, 2015

    I love your blog! You take such beautiful pictures and I’m learning more and more by reading the site. Thank you for putting so much detail and effort into your blog. Thanks so much!

    -Aaron

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      July 20, 2015

      Thanks for saying that, Aaron. And thanks for noticing the little things 🙂

      Reply
  6. kennedy Cole says

    July 14, 2015

    This looks like the perfect way to incorporate pesto into bread 🙂 And we just so happen to have a loaf of French bread out in the freezer, so I think I am definitely going to have to make this. In fact, I just posted a recipe for Basil Lemon Pesto, and I think it would be absolute perfection on this bread 😀

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      July 15, 2015

      Good luck with it! It’s insanely easy to make 😉

      Reply
  7. TJ says

    June 29, 2015

    I got to your blog from instagram after looking at this gorgeous photo of blooming bread!! you are pure genius Farah!! big shout out from Beijing – 🙂

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      July 7, 2015

      Hey thanks, TJ! I really appreciate you coming all the way from Instagram to leave me a note 🙂

      Reply
  8. Marry An says

    June 14, 2015

    Your blog is my FAVORITE for lusting over foods. It’s so great. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      June 15, 2015

      You’re most welcome. Happy eating!

      Reply
  9. Laura says

    June 11, 2015

    Oh. My. Goodness. This is a dream. That seriously looks like the most delicious snack ever.
    Your blog is my FAVORITE for lusting over foods. It’s so great.
    xo

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      June 15, 2015

      Hee, thanks Laura. Loving the clothes over at yours 🙂

      Reply
  10. Dorothy Dunton says

    June 10, 2015

    Hi Farah! You had me at ooey gooey cheesy! I love all things bread I’m making garlic pretzel knots with Marinara dipping sauce this weekend.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      June 10, 2015

      That sounds so yummy, Dorothy. Really really yummy!

      Reply

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