Bacon Gorgonzola Pull Aparts are soft bread bites packed with crispy bacon and tangy Gorgonzola cheese. Perfect for snacking or as a fun appetizer!
You can’t go wrong with bacon AND cheese! I love pulling these apart and enjoying the gooey goodness. They’re great for sharing, or not—no judgment here! 😉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bread: A round loaf of crusty bread is essential. Sourdough adds a tangy flavor, while Italian bread is soft and delicious. If you’re gluten-free, look for gluten-free bread options that have a nice crust.
Bacon: The bacon adds a smoky crunch. Turkey bacon is a lighter alternative, or you can use diced pancetta for a similar flavor. I recommend cooking it until it’s crispy for the best texture.
Gorgonzola cheese: This cheese gives a nice sharpness. If you want a milder flavor, blue cheese works well too. Creamy goat cheese can also make a tasty substitute.
Butter: Unsalted is best to control the saltiness. You can swap it for olive oil or even melted margarine for a dairy-free option.
How Do You Cut the Bread Properly for Pull Aparts?
Cutting the bread correctly is crucial to getting those pull-apart pieces just right! Start with a round loaf and use a sharp knife. Here’s a simple guide:
- Place the loaf on a cutting board.
- Cut deep into the bread in a crisscross pattern, spacing about 1 to 1.5 inches apart.
- Be careful not to cut through the bottom; keep the loaf intact.
- This technique allows the flavors to seep in while keeping the bread together.
Enjoy pulling apart the pieces later—it’s all about making it easy to share and tasty! It also ensures they hold the buttery, cheesy goodness.
Bacon Gorgonzola Pull Aparts
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pull Aparts:
- 1 round loaf of crusty bread (such as sourdough or Italian bread)
- 6-8 slices of bacon
- 4 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or about 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes of prep time, plus around 30 minutes for baking. In total, you’ll spend about 40 minutes to get these delicious pull-aparts ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your pull-aparts bake evenly and get nice and crispy!
2. Cook the Bacon:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy. Once done, place it on paper towels to drain any excess grease. After it cools down a bit, crumble the bacon into small pieces. Yum!
3. Prepare the Bread:
Next, take your round loaf of crusty bread and carefully cut it in a crisscross pattern—about 1 to 1.5 inches apart. Make sure you don’t cut all the way through to the bottom; you want the loaf to stay intact so the pieces can still hold together!
4. Make the Garlic Butter:
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the minced garlic and fresh thyme. This will add a ton of delicious flavor.
5. Add the Garlic Butter:
Now, gently pull apart the slices of bread from those cuts you made earlier, and drizzle some of that yummy garlic butter mixture in between the pieces. Get it in there good!
6. Stuff with Bacon and Cheese:
Time to get cheesy! Stuff the crisscross cuts with your crumbled bacon, followed by the Gorgonzola and then the mozzarella cheese. Distribute everything evenly so each piece gets a bit of goodness.
7. Final Touches:
Drizzle any remaining garlic butter over the top of the loaf and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper for an extra flavor kick.
8. Bake It Up:
Tightly wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake it in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Then, uncover it and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the bread are crispy.
9. Garnish and Serve:
Once out of the oven, let it cool for a brief moment. If you like, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pretty finish. Tear apart the soft bread pieces and enjoy the melty, cheesy, bacon-filled center!
This recipe makes a delicious, gooey, savory snack or appetizer perfect for sharing. Enjoy the burst of flavors and cheesy goodness with every pull-apart bite!
Can I Use Different Cheeses?
Absolutely! If Gorgonzola isn’t your favorite, you can use blue cheese for a similar flavor or even mozzarella and cheddar for a milder taste. Experimenting with different cheeses can change the flavor profile delightfully!
How Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and replace it with sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added texture and flavor. You could also include more cheese or some roasted red peppers for extra taste!
Can I Make These Pull Aparts Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the bread and stuff it with the ingredients, then cover and refrigerate for up to a day. When ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, as it will bake more evenly.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and cheese is melty again.