Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe

Why you’ll love this recipe

• They’re fun & easy to make, using store-bought pizza dough instead of homemade pizza dough – but you can make your own too!
• Delicious finger food
• Love copycat recipes? These little nuggets are easy appetizers that taste delicious dipped in your favorite dipping sauce. Like Domino’s parmesan bread bites, you can’t have just one! Dip them in heated pizza sauce or marinara sauce.

If you love this recipe, you will want to try my cheese stuffed garlic bread too!

What are parmesan bread bites?

Pizza dough is cut into bite-sized pieces, drizzled with a garlic-herb butter, then baked until light golden brown. They’re delicious as an appetizer, snack or to accompany a main course.

Ingredients & substitutions for parmesan bites

This recipe uses basic ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores. I’ve provided a list below and a few suggestions for substitutions.

• Refrigerated pizza dough (store-bought) – you can also use your own homemade recipe for pizza dough.
• Freshy grated Parmesan cheese – good quality Parmesan cheese that you can find in the cheese section of the grocery store. You can also use the ready-made Parmesan cheese that you find in a shaker bottle, usually in the pasta aisle of the grocery store. A suitable substitute for Parmesan would be asiago cheese.
• Butter – melted butter is used in the garlic butter. You can use salted or unsalted.
• Garlic powder – out of garlic powder or prefer to use fresh garlic? Substitute with minced garlic. One to two finely grated cloves or garlic.
• Salt – If you’re using salted butter, reduce the amount of salt.
• Italian seasoning – you could also substitute fresh herbs.
• Red pepper flakes – optional to kick up the heat a little!

Can I use mozzarella cheese instead of Parmesan cheese?

I do not recommend substituting mozzarella cheese for the Parmesan, simply because it is not as firm as Parmesan and would melt all over the baking sheet.

Step by step instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Alternatively, you can spray a thin coat of cooking spray on the baking sheet.

These simple parmesan bread bites will take about five to ten minutes max to prepare.

SHAPE THE DOUGH INTO LOGS: Open the package of pizza dough and cut it into four pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 1-inch thick.

Use a pizza cutter or clean scissors to cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. They should be bite-sized and you can make them a little bigger if you like.

Place the pieces on prepared baking sheet.

MAKE THE GARLIC BUTTER

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter a few seconds at a time just until melted. Whisk in the garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning.

Use a pastry brush to brush each of the bread bites with a light coat of garlic butter. (You will need more later and shouldn’t use up all the butter for this step).

Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan. Save a little Parmesan to sprinkle on the baked bread bites.

Bake in 375°F oven for 15 to 17 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the bread bites. They should be light golden brown and will overbake quickly, so keep a close eye on them!

Brush again with the garlic butter and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Transfer to serving dish and serve with marinara sauce, pizza sauce or alfredo dip.

My top tips for making this recipe

Leave the refrigerated pizza dough in the fridge until you’re ready to open it and use it. Allowing it to come to room temperature will make it softer and more difficult to work with.

Keep a close eye on the bread bites during the last few minutes of cooking. They can brown quickly.

How to store parmesan bread bites

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to 2 to 3 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven until heated through. You can also place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

To freeze, place cooled bread bites in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw in refrigerator, then reheat in 325°F oven until heated through.