Game Day Pull-Apart Pepperoni Cheese Bread: The Ultimate Cheesy, Savory Snack

This Game Day Pull-Apart Pepperoni Cheese Bread is the ultimate appetizer for football season or any gathering where you want to serve a fun, flavorful, and shareable snack. This recipe takes the classic combination of pizza flavors – dough, cheese, pepperoni, and marinara – and transforms it into an interactive, pull-apart bread shaped like a football. It’s easy to make, visually appealing, and utterly delicious. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the recipe, ensuring a perfect, cheesy, and savory result.

A Touchdown of a Snack (Optional Anecdote)

I’m always on the lookout for creative and crowd-pleasing appetizers for game day. This pull-apart bread was inspired by my love for both pizza and cheesy breadsticks. Shaping it like a football adds a festive touch that’s perfect for the season. It’s become a staple at my game-day gatherings, and it’s always a huge hit.

Ingredient Descriptions: Building Layers of Pizza Flavor

Each ingredient contributes to the bread’s overall flavor and texture, recreating the classic pizza experience:

• Refrigerated Pizza Dough (1 Tube): Provides the base for the bread. Using refrigerated dough is a convenient shortcut. Pillsbury is a popular brand, but any brand of refrigerated pizza dough will work.
• Marinara Sauce (For Dipping): Adds the classic tomato-based flavor of pizza. Use your favorite brand or make your own.
• Mozzarella Sticks (String Cheese): Provide the cheesy filling for each individual roll. Use regular string cheese, not the reduced-fat type, as it melts better.
• Butter (Melted): Creates a rich, flavorful garlic butter glaze. Unsalted butter is preferred, allowing you to control the salt level.
• Garlic (Minced): Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the garlic butter glaze. Use fresh garlic for the best results.
• Pepperoni Slices: Add a savory, slightly spicy flavor. Regular or mini pepperoni can be used.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional): Adds a salty, nutty flavor and a bit of extra cheesiness.

Equipment/Tools: Essential Gear for Pull-Apart Perfection

• Baking Sheet: For baking the pull-apart bread.
• Parchment Paper: For lining the baking sheet (prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy).
• Rolling Pin: For thinning out the pizza dough.
• Pizza Cutter or Sharp Knife: For cutting the dough into rectangles.
• Cutting Board
• Small Microwave-Safe Bowl: For melting the butter.
• Pastry Brush (or Silicone Brush): For brushing the bread with garlic butter.
• Small Serving Bowl: For the marinara sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurements.

Complete Recipe: Game Day Pull-Apart Pepperoni Cheese Bread

Ingredients with Measurements:

• 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (such as Pillsbury)
• 1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for dipping)
• 5 mozzarella sticks (string cheese – NOT the reduced-fat type!)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 24 pieces pepperoni
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for sprinkling)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Dough:

1. Open the tube of pizza dough and unroll it onto a large cutting board or clean work surface. Lightly flouring the surface can prevent sticking, but the original recipe doesn’t call for it. Use your judgment.
2. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the dough out to make it thinner, but not so thin that it breaks. Aim for a roughly rectangular shape.

3. Cut the Dough:

1. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into 24 rectangles. Make 3 cuts lengthwise and 5 cuts crosswise.

4. Prepare the Cheese Filling:

1. Unwrap 4 of the string cheese sticks (save the 5th one for later).
2. Cut each of the 4 string cheese sticks into 6 equal pieces, for a total of 24 cheese pieces.

5. Assemble the Rolls:

1. Place a piece of string cheese in the center of each dough rectangle.
2. Fold two opposite corners of the dough over the cheese and pinch them together to seal.
3. Continue pinching the dough together to seal the entire seam, forming a small, ball-shaped roll. Make sure the seams are well-sealed to prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking.

6. Arrange the Rolls on the Baking Sheet:

1. Place each cheese-filled roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
2. Arrange the rolls in a football shape:
   • Start with a middle row of 6 rolls.
   • Place a row of 5 rolls on either side of the middle row, offsetting them so they nestle in between the rolls in the first row.
   • Place a row of 4 rolls on each of the outside rows, again offsetting them.
   • You should have 5 rows total, forming a football shape.

7. Bake the Bread:

1. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly browned.

8. Prepare the Garlic Butter:

1. While the bread is baking, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and stir to combine.

9. Prepare the Marinara Sauce:

1. Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce into a small serving bowl for dipping.

10. Glaze and Garnish:

1. When the bread is lightly browned, remove it from the oven.
2. Immediately brush the tops of the rolls with the melted garlic butter.
3. Place a piece of pepperoni on top of each roll. The garlic butter will help the pepperoni stick.
4. Cut the remaining string cheese stick into one long strip and three shorter strips to resemble football laces.
5. Place the cheese laces on top of the pepperoni-topped rolls to create the football design.
6. Sprinkle the entire bread with grated Parmesan cheese.

11. Broil (Briefly):

1. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for about 1 minute, watching carefully to prevent burning. This step is just to melt the cheese laces slightly.

12. Serve:

1. Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and makes it easier to pull apart.
2. Serve warm with the marinara sauce for dipping.

Troubleshooting Common Problems:

• Cheese Leaked Out: Make sure to seal the dough seams very well. Use regular (not reduced-fat) string cheese, as it melts better.
• Rolls are Soggy: Make sure the oven is preheated to the correct temperature. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
• Rolls are Burning: Reduce the oven temperature slightly or bake for a shorter time. Keep a close eye on them during baking.
• Pepperoni isn’t sticking The garlic butter should make the pepperoni stick, but if not, add them before the final broil, so the heat helps bind them.

Tips and Variations:

• Different Cheeses: Use different types of cheese sticks, such as provolone or Colby Jack.
• Add Spices: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning to the dough or the garlic butter for extra flavor.
• Vegetable Additions: Add finely chopped vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms, to the filling (sauté them first).
• Different Meats: Use cooked sausage, crumbled bacon, or ham instead of pepperoni.
• Pizza Sauce Inside: Add a small amount of pizza sauce inside each roll along with the cheese. Be careful not to overfill.
• Individual Rolls: Instead of forming a football shape, bake the rolls separately for individual servings.
• Air Fryer: Cook in an air fryer at 350 for about 8-10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve warm as an appetizer or snack.
• Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter for dipping.
• Arrange on a platter with other game-day snacks, such as wings, nachos, or sliders.

Pairing Recommendations:

• Drinks: Beer, soda, iced tea, or lemonade.
• Side Dishes: Serve as part of a larger appetizer spread.

Nutritional Information (Approximate):

This is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 24 rolls). Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

• Calories: 150-200
• Fat: 8-12g
• Saturated Fat: 4-6g
• Cholesterol: 20-30mg
• Sodium: 300-400mg
• Carbohydrates: 10-15g
• Fiber: 0-1g
• Sugar: 1-2g
• Protein: 5-7g

Print

Comprehensive FAQ:

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: You can assemble the unbaked bread ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake it just before serving. You can also bake it ahead and reheat, though it’s best served fresh.

Q: How long does it last in the refrigerator?

A: Leftover cooked bread will last for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Q: Can I freeze this bread?

A: It’s best to freeze the unbaked bread. Assemble the rolls and arrange them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.

Q: Do I really need to use parchment paper?

A: Parchment paper prevents the bread from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup much easier. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet.

Q: Can I use homemade pizza dough?

A: Yes, you can use homemade pizza dough. Just make sure to roll it out thinly.

Q: My cheese is leaking out. What should I do?

A: Make sure to seal the dough seams very well. Use regular (not reduced-fat) string cheese, as it melts better. Don’t overfill the rolls.

Q: Can I use different toppings? A: Absolutely! This is easily customized.

Q: Can I double this recipe? A: Yes, but you may need to use two baking sheets and adjust baking time accordingly. Keep the football shape to one per sheet.