Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread

This cheesy pull apart pizza monkey bread is my family’s go to for game day and birthday parties whenever I want seriously fun finger food with almost no effort. Imagine soft buttery pieces loaded with melty cheese and spiced pepperoni all tucked together in a golden crusty ring. You tear off a piece and it pulls hot stretchy cheese and pepperoni with it perfect for dipping into spicy marinara.

The first time I baked this everyone crowded around the Bundt pan pulling pieces straight out of the oven. It was gone in less than ten minutes and now my friends ask me to bring it to every gathering.

Ingredients

• Olive oil: gives the bread a rich flavor and helps everything brown beautifully make sure to use extra virgin for the best taste
• Melted butter: adds softness and helps the dough brown
• Dried onion bits: bring a subtle savory note I like using sweet onion flakes
• Fresh garlic: packs a real punch choose firm cloves not shriveled ones
• Italian herb mix: layers on the classic pizza flavor look for one with oregano as the main herb
• Crushed red pepper: gives a little heat use more or less to taste
• Fresh parsley: brightens the bread choose bright green non-wilted leaves
• Refrigerated flaky biscuits: make the bread tender and pillowy
• Refrigerated pizza dough: offers a chewy bite that mimics pizzeria style
• Mini pepperoni slices: tuck perfectly between the dough pieces and every bite gets a little bit
• Marinara or pizza sauce: for tang and moisture pick a thick chunky one for flavor
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: melts into every crevice always choose whole milk mozzarella for that signature stretch
• Grated parmesan cheese: adds salty depth buy fresh and grate it if you can

Instructions

Prepare the Oven and Bundt Pan:

Set your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and let it fully preheat. Give your Bundt pan a very generous coating with nonstick spray or butter making sure to get every crevice. This ensures the bread will pop out easily and prevents sticking.

Create the Olive Oil Mixture:

In a medium microwave safe bowl stir together olive oil melted butter dried onion bits minced garlic Italian herb mix crushed red pepper and chopped fresh parsley. Microwave for thirty seconds at a time stirring in between until the butter is completely melted and the mix smells fragrant. This draws out the oil from the herbs and infuses the mixture.

Prepare the Dough and Pan Filling:

Cut each biscuit into four equal pieces and chop the pizza dough into bite sized pieces about one and a half inches. In the Bundt pan sprinkle a layer using a third of your mini pepperoni and a third of the parmesan cheese. This makes sure every piece gets some crispy salty bits.

Assemble the Bread Layers:

Place all cut dough pieces into the bowl with the olive oil mixture tossing and folding until very well coated. Layer half the coated dough into the Bundt pan. Scatter half of the leftover pepperoni and parmesan cheese over the dough. Drizzle with a quarter cup of marinara sauce and top that with half the shredded mozzarella cheese making sure to spread everything out evenly.

Complete the Assembly:

Add the rest of the coated dough pieces into the pan then scatter over all remaining pepperoni parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Spoon the rest of the marinara on top. Gently press the top layer with clean hands to even it out.

Bake and Serve:

Slide the Bundt pan onto the center oven rack and bake for forty minutes. You are looking for a deep golden brown color on top and around the sides. Let the pan cool at least ten minutes on a wire rack before attempting to invert. Carefully run a spatula around the edge to loosen. Turn over onto a platter and lift off the pan. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

My favorite part of every bake is the cheese at the bottom that turns wonderfully crisp. Once when I made this for a sleepover the kids actually fought over the last pieces with the most golden cheese bits.

Storage Tips

Once cooled wrap leftovers tightly in foil and store in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat pieces in a toaster oven to revive the crispy edges. If you want to bake ahead assemble everything in the pan cover and refrigerate overnight then bake fresh the next day.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap in cooked crumbled sausage or chopped bell peppers for the pepperoni if you like. You can use any melty cheese such as provolone or fontina for a gourmet twist. Biscuit dough brands vary in size so adjust the amount of pizza dough if necessary for a snug pan fit.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this bread hot from the pan with a bowl of warm marinara dipping sauce. Let everyone gather around and pull off their own bites. It is also great paired with a big crisp salad for a fuss free family dinner or at a potluck alongside other finger foods.

Cultural or Historical Context

Monkey bread originated in Eastern European Jewish communities and became a classic American treat. This pizza version is pure mashup fun blending comforting bread with everyones favorite pizza toppings for a party ready centerpiece. Pizza monkey bread is a hit at gatherings because everyone can help themselves.

Seasonal Adaptations

Add chopped sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil for a summery twist Use roasted mushrooms and baby spinach in the fall for earthier flavor For a winter holiday party drizzle with homemade garlic butter just out of the oven

Success Stories

My friend once brought this to a tailgate party and it was devoured before halftime. Not a single piece was left behind. Kids especially go wild for the gooey cheesy center and it is always a conversation starter at the table.

Freezer Meal Conversion

You can assemble the unbaked bread in the Bundt pan then wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual. This makes spontaneous pizza nights or potlucks a breeze because you are always ready to pop it in the oven.

I have learned through experience that fresh mozzarella can make the bread too wet unless you pat it dry first. Letting kids toss the dough pieces in the oil mixture also makes them feel like they made dinner all by themselves.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I use only biscuit dough or only pizza dough?

Yes, you can use just biscuit or pizza dough, though combining both offers unique texture and flavor.

→ What kind of cheese works best for this dish?

Mozzarella gives classic stretch and gooeyness, and Parmesan adds sharp flavor. Feel free to mix in provolone.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

You can assemble the bread in the pan and refrigerate for several hours before baking for fresh results.

→ Do I need a Bundt pan?

A Bundt pan creates the best shape, but a loaf or cake pan works as an alternative—just adjust baking time.

→ What sauces are good for dipping?

Marinara is classic, but ranch, garlic butter, or even pesto make excellent dipping choices for extra flavor.