Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread Balls – Gooey Mozzarella, Buttery Garlic & Easy Party Appetizer
Samantha
These Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread Balls are the ultimate party appetizer—soft golden bread filled with gooey mozzarella, brushed with buttery garlic, and baked to perfection. Perfect for game nights, potlucks, or as a cheesy side to pasta and salad, this quick and budget-friendly recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 16 bread balls
Calories 130 kcal
- 1 lb pizza dough homemade or store-bought
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Prepare dough: Divide pizza dough into 16–18 small pieces.
Stuff with cheese: Place a cube of mozzarella in each dough piece, pinching to seal.
Arrange on tray: Place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet.
Brush with garlic butter: Mix butter, garlic, olive oil, and seasonings. Brush generously over each ball.
Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
Finish: Brush with extra garlic butter and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Secret Tips for Perfect Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread Balls
1. Use chilled mozzarella for stuffing: Cold or pre-shredded mozzarella is easier to handle when stuffing the dough balls. It helps the cheese hold its shape and ensures that each garlic bread ball melts into a gooey, cheesy center without leaking.
2. Brush generously with garlic butter: Don’t be shy with the garlic butter mixture of melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley. This not only makes the bread balls golden and aromatic but also enhances that classic cheesy garlic bread flavor.
3. Bake on high heat for extra gooeyness: Cooking these stuffed garlic bread balls at a slightly higher temperature allows the outside to crisp up while keeping the inside soft and filled with melted cheese. This technique locks in the buttery garlic aroma.
4. Add a sprinkle of parmesan on top: Before baking, sprinkle parmesan over the bread balls. This creates a savory, cheesy crust that pairs perfectly with the mozzarella filling and makes the appetizer even more irresistible.
5. Serve with a dipping sauce: Pair these gooey mozzarella bread balls with marinara, ranch, or even a spicy chipotle sauce for a fun party appetizer. The dipping sauce complements the buttery garlic bread flavor and makes them ideal for sharing.Keyword best stuffed garlic bread balls for game night, cheese stuffed garlic bread balls recipe, cheesy garlic bread balls with pizza dough, easy garlic cheese bread balls for party, homemade mozzarella stuffed garlic bread balls, how to make garlic bread balls with mozzarella, mini cheese stuffed garlic bread snacks, oven baked cheese stuffed garlic bread appetizer, pull apart cheese stuffed garlic bread rolls, quick garlic bread balls with gooey cheese
