Pull Apart Pizza Bread (on Hawaiian Rolls!)
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Pull Apart Pizza Bread packs loads of savory, Italian flavor into tender sweet rolls. It makes the best party food but is easy enough for a weeknight dinner too. Save money on delivery by making these crispy, gooey bites instead!
Pull Apart Pizza Bread
Whether you’re making this for a tailgate party, a holiday get-together, or just as an easy weeknight dinner, this pizza pull apart bread will surely have everyone licking their fingers!
All the delicious flavors of pizza paired with the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls stuffed hasselback style. This delicious, easy recipe will definitely earn a spot in your cooking arsenal under “party appetizer everybody loves.”
Why stop at appetizers? Try out my dessert version of this recipe. It’s a gooey, soft, buttery-sweet cinnamon roll that you can break off into bite-size pieces!
Or, you can whip up some more appetizers that are hits. My Italian sliders, bacon mac and cheese bombs, and simple pretzel dogs will all definitely get you invited back!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Hawaiian Rolls – King’s Hawaiian is the gold standard, but feel free to use your preferred brand.
Unlike slider recipes, you don’t need to keep these connected! Go ahead and separate them before slicing into them as shown. - Mozzarella Cheese – You know what I’m going to say… fresh is best! However, fresh mozz can be a little trickier to shred, so you can use the bagged stuff in a pinch.
Opt for low-moisture varieties so the rolls don’t get soggy. - Pepperoni – My family loves the classic flavor of pull apart pepperoni pizza bread, but you can substitute salami, ham, Canadian bacon, or another sliced sausage!
- Garlic Paste – Find tubes of this in the produce aisle, or make it yourself by blending freshly peeled garlic cloves with a little bit of olive oil.
It’s the best way to add a punch of flavor to your pull apart pizza bread without trying to divide up the minced stuff. - Pizza Seasoning – This is similar to Italian seasoning, except it includes garlic powder and dried onion too.
You should be able to find some in the spice aisle of your local store.
If not, mix some garlic powder and dried onion flakes with Italian seasoning or your favorite dried Italian herbs. - Red Pepper Flakes – A staple pizza topping! If you’re sensitive to spicy food, you can certainly leave them out.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Pizza Pull Apart Bread
- Slice carefully into the rolls.
If you cut too deeply, there won’t be enough of a base to keep all the yummy goodness contained!
Think in thirds: Make two cuts through the top of each roll to split it into thirds, but only cut two-thirds of the way through.
- Don’t skip the butter mixture on the bottom of the pan.
This soaks into the base of the rolls and creates a deliciously crispy texture. The rest gets drizzled over the pull apart pizza bread to soak into all the crevices.
If you’re worried about cleanup, you can always line your baking sheet with foil before adding the butter mixture. Just note that the bottoms might not crisp up as much.
- Get creative and make this dish your own!
Not only is this pull apart pizza bread recipe super easy to make, but it’s just as easy to customize with your favorite flavors!
Instead of just mozzarella, include some Monterey Jack and cheddar for extra flavor. Or, grab a bag of your favorite pizza cheese blend.
Swap the pepperoni for your favorite veggies, or combine them for supreme pizza pull apart bread! Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onion slices, and black olives would be delish.
Prep Ahead
- Slice into rolls
- Grate cheese
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Baking Sheet – Used for anything from cookies to roasting, a good baking pan will last for years.
- Mixing Bowl – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
Serving Suggestions
Dip pull apart pepperoni pizza bread in some marinara sauce, or even pesto if you’re feeling adventurous!
If you’re a fan of ranch with your pizza, you’ll love my homemade buttermilk ranch for dipping.
Round out your plate with a green salad or a quick batch of air fryer veggies. Or, pair this pull apart pizza bread recipe with more of your party favorites!
Pull Apart Pizza Bread Recipe FAQ
Yes, but don’t be tempted to just buy the bigger pack of Hawaiian rolls… They’re actually smaller!
Always use the dozen-roll package and bake as many will fit on your sheet pan at a time. Don’t squish them in too close or they won’t get crispy on the outside.
Not necessarily! Any type of slider bun will work just as well — you’ll just lose that signature sweetness.
You could also use refrigerated or frozen dough for pull apart pizza bread. In that case, I recommend you follow the instructions for my bomb recipe instead.
Since this pepperoni pull apart bread is best served fresh out of the oven, I wouldn’t recommend it.
That said, you can always prep all of your ingredients and have them ready to go. Assemble everything when you get home or just before guests arrive, then throw it in the oven to bake!
Storing and Reheating Pull Apart Pepperoni Pizza Bread
If you manage to have any leftovers, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Be sure to use an airtight container so the bread doesn’t dry out or become stale.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds, or in the air fryer to get them nice and crispy on the surface.
You can also pop the entire pan of pepperoni pull apart bread back into the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Pull Apart Bread Recipes
Pull Apart Pizza Bread (on Hawaiian Rolls!)
Ingredients
- 1 package Hawaiian rolls
- 2 cups of mozzarella cheese
- 48 slices of pepperoni
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons pizza seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine melted butter, garlic paste, pizza seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Evenly spread a thin layer across the bottom of a baking sheet, making sure to reserve ½ of the mixture.
- Using a paring knife, carefully cut twice across the top of the Hawaiian rolls without cutting all the way through the bread, and place on the baking sheet.
- Place two slices of pepperoni between each layer of bread.
- Sprinkle cheese between each layer of bread on top of the pepperoni.
- Drizzle leftover butter mixture over the tops of each roll.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2021, updated and republished January 2025
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Pull apart bread with cheese is so good, especially with this one because you get a nice cheese pull. These are awesome dipped in your marinara recipe too!