Name: Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 2 h 34 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 Rhodes Frozen Dinner Rolls; 8 tablespoons salted butter (melted); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 teaspoon Italian parsley (optional); 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 2 cups mozzarella cheese (grated)

There’s something utterly irresistible about warm, gooey cheese and garlic wrapped up in soft, pillowy bread. That's exactly why the Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe is a total winner for any gathering or cozy night in. It's fun to eat, packed with flavor, and honestly, pretty simple to pull off.

A round white plate holds 16 small golden-brown bread rolls arranged in a circle with melted white cheese covering the top of each roll, sprinkled with green herbs and red pepper flakes. In the center of the plate is a white bowl filled with thick red marinara sauce. A woman's hand is pulling one bread roll away from the circle, stretching strings of melted cheese between the roll and the rest of the bread. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe has that magical combo of garlic butter, melty mozzarella, and soft rolls that just pulls you in bite after bite. I can’t tell you how many times this has been my go-to for potlucks or family dinners. It’s one of those dishes that looks impressive but comes together surprisingly easily.

Comfort Food at Its Best: Warm, cheesy bread with garlic flavor is always a crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing and snacks.
Easy Prep with Frozen Rolls: Using Rhodes frozen dinner rolls saves hours of hands-on bread-making.
Fun Pull-Apart Texture: The circular arrangement makes tearing off each cheesy roll so satisfying—great for casual gatherings.
Customizable Flavor: You can add herbs or a little heat with red pepper flakes to match your taste perfectly.

A round arrangement of 15 golden-brown bread balls, each topped with melted white cheese and sprinkled with green herbs and small red flakes, forming a flower shape on a round dark tray; in the center, a white scalloped bowl filled with thick bright red sauce sits neatly, all placed on a white marbled surface with a soft light gray cloth draped in the background, and a small wooden spoon resting on the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe plays a crucial role in creating that irresistible flavor and texture we all crave. The frozen rolls offer a quick bread base, while the garlic butter injects savory richness. Mozzarella cheese melts perfectly, adding gooey, stringy delight. Let me walk you through why each one is a star.

Flat lay of twenty soft frozen dinner rolls with smooth golden crust, a small white ceramic bowl of melted salted butter glistening with minced fresh garlic cloves, a few fresh Italian parsley sprigs, a pinch of vibrant red pepper flakes in a white ceramic bowl, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with shredded mozzarella cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Rhodes Frozen Dinner Rolls: These rolls are ideal because they're already portioned and just need rising and baking, making this recipe super convenient.
Salted Butter: Butter is the flavor carrier here, melting into the dough and keeping the bread moist with that classic buttery taste.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic gives that punch of savory aroma and depth you want in this bread.
Italian Parsley (Optional): Adds a fresh herb note and pretty flecks that brighten the rich flavors.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): If you like a bit of heat, these add just the right kick without overpowering the garlic and cheese.
Mozzarella Cheese: The gooey melting cheese creates beautiful bubbles and that irresistible cheesy pull you want.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe is how easily you can tweak it depending on what you love or have on hand. I sometimes swap the mozzarella for a sharper cheddar or add a sprinkle of parmesan on top for an even bolder flavor.

Variation: Try mixing in cooked and crumbled bacon between the rolls before adding cheese — it’s a smoky treat your guests will adore.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, use a low-fat butter substitute and part-skim mozzarella cheese and still get great taste without guilt.
Herb boost: Fresh rosemary or thyme can swap in for parsley for those earthy aromas I enjoy during cooler months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Garlic Butter Magic

First things first, melt your salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl—I do this in 30-second bursts to avoid overheating. Then stir in the minced garlic and parsley if you're using it. This mixture is what gives the bread that golden, glossy, flavorful coating. Don’t rush this step—the butter needs to be warm enough to soak into the rolls but not so hot it cooks the garlic.

Step 2: Dipping the Frozen Rolls

Grab each frozen dinner roll and dip it fully into the garlic butter. Make sure they’re well coated but not swimming in butter—that'll make them soggy. This part smells heavenly, so I’ll be honest: I sometimes sneak a little taste of the garlic butter before the rolls go in. It sets the stage for that crispy, flavorful crust.

Step 3: Arranging the Rolls Perfectly

Spray the inside of your pan—whether it’s a cast iron skillet, pizza stone, or baking sheet—with non-stick spray to keep everything from sticking. Arrange the butter-coated rolls in two closely packed circular rows so that as they rise, they’ll push upwards and outwards, creating that lovely pull-apart effect. Being a bit precise here means easier sharing later.

Step 4: Letting the Rolls Rise

Cover the pan with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let those rolls rise in a warm spot. I usually leave mine for about two hours until doubled in size. Sometimes our kitchen is chilly, so I warm the oven to 200°F for a few minutes, turn it off, then place the rolls inside to rise faster—just make sure it’s not still hot, or the dough could start cooking prematurely.

Step 5: Adding the Cheese and Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F while the rolls finish rising. Once puffed up, sprinkle the mozzarella generously over the top of the rolls. I love sprinkling a little red pepper flakes at this stage, but that’s just my personal heat fix. Bake the bread for about 18 to 24 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling—keep an eye so it doesn’t get too done.

Step 6: Serving Up the Gooey Goodness

Let the monkey bread cool just a bit, then serve it warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. The combination of garlicky, cheesy bread with tangy tomato is pure bliss. I’ve seen friends happily eat this as a meal or a snack—it’s that good!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe more times than I can count, a few simple tricks make all the difference between a dreamy, soft bread and one that's just okay. These tips can help you nail it every time.

Dipping Control: Don’t let the rolls soak too long in the butter or they’ll get greasy; just a quick dip ensures a crispy outer crust.
Rising Patience: Allow the rolls to fully double in size for that fluffy texture—if you rush, the inside will be dense.
Even Cheese Distribution: Sprinkle cheese evenly and gently press it into gaps between rolls to prevent dry portions.
Keep an Eye Baking: Oven temps vary, so watch for golden edges and bubbling cheese to avoid overbaking.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little fresh chopped parsley or basil on top after baking—that pop of green brightens the look and adds fresh flavor. Sometimes a little grated parmesan right before serving adds a sharp, salty finish I love.

Side Dishes

My favorite pairings are simple—think a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables to balance the richness. It also pairs wonderfully with marinara sauce for dipping, turning it into a full-flavored appetizer or snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like serving this monkey bread in a cast iron skillet on a wooden board with little bowls of various dipping sauces around—like ranch, spicy marinara, or even a creamy pesto dip. It makes for a fun, interactive spread that invites everyone to dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers — which is rare at my place — wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. The key is to keep the bread airtight so it doesn’t dry out or get too tough.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover monkey bread wrapped well in foil and a freezer bag. When thawed, it reheats nicely without losing too much softness. Freezing is perfect if you want to prep ahead for a party or save some for later indulgence.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the leftover bread in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This refreshes the crust and melted cheese perfectly—microwaving doesn’t do it justice since it can make the bread rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh rolls instead of frozen Rhodes dinner rolls?

While you can make this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe with fresh rolls, using frozen Rhodes dinner rolls saves time and gives consistent results because they’re uniform in size and texture, plus they rise beautifully making it easier to pull apart.

How do I prevent the monkey bread from becoming too greasy?

Make sure to dip each roll quickly in the garlic butter without soaking it too long. You want a light coating to get a crispy flavorful crust, but not too much butter that pools or sogginess occurs. Also, properly spraying your pan helps keep it from sticking without extra butter.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the dipped rolls in the pan, cover them tightly, and let them rise in the fridge overnight. The next day, add cheese and bake as directed, just add a few extra minutes to baking time since the dough will be cold.

What dipping sauces work best with this Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe?

Marinara sauce is my personal favorite because the tangy tomato balances the richness perfectly. However, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even a pesto dip can elevate the flavor depending on your mood and crowd.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread Recipe is one of those simple pleasures that never fails to impress and satisfy. It turns basic ingredients into a golden, gooey masterpiece that brings people together—whether it’s for a casual get-together or a cozy night with loved ones. Trust me, once you try making it, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen too. So grab those frozen rolls and get ready to pull apart some cheesy, garlicky happiness!