If you’re looking for a snack or appetizer that will win over everyone at the table, look no further than easy garlic butter cheese bombs. These little bites are warm, golden, and bursting with gooey melted cheese inside. Each one is brushed with a savory garlic butter topping and finished with a sprinkle of herbs for a flavor-packed treat that disappears fast. They’re perfect for game nights, family gatherings, or simply as a comfort food indulgence any day of the week.
Garlic butter cheese bombs are essentially soft bread rolls with a cheesy surprise in the middle. The best part? They’re quick and easy to make — especially if you use store-bought biscuit or pizza dough. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can have them ready in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cheese bombs are incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them as a snack, serve them alongside soup or salad, or offer them as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer. They’re cheesy, buttery, garlicky, and addictive in the best way possible. They’re also highly customizable — you can switch up the cheese, experiment with herbs, or add extras like pepperoni or jalapeños for a different twist.
Another bonus is that they’re budget-friendly. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples or easy to find at any grocery store, and you can make a large batch without much effort.
Ingredients
For the cheese bombs:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough or pizza dough
- 8–10 small cubes of mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, pepper jack, or your favorite)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dusting your work surface)
For the garlic butter:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional toppings:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour your work surface and separate the biscuit or pizza dough into individual portions. If using biscuit dough, you can gently flatten each piece with your hands to make wrapping easier.
Step 2: Add the Cheese
Place a cube of cheese in the center of each dough piece. Carefully wrap the dough around the cheese, pinching the seams to seal completely. Roll each filled piece gently between your hands to form a smooth ball.
Step 3: Arrange for Baking
Place the prepared cheese bombs seam-side down on the baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for expansion. This helps them bake evenly and prevents sticking.
Step 4: Prepare the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well to ensure the garlic is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Brush and Bake
Brush each dough ball generously with the garlic butter mixture. Reserve a little for after baking if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Once out of the oven, brush with any remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh parsley. Serve immediately while the cheese inside is hot and melty.
Tips for the Best Cheese Bombs
Use a cheese that melts smoothly, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack. Make sure to pinch the dough tightly around the cheese to prevent leaks during baking. If you want extra garlicky flavor, roast the garlic beforehand for a sweeter, more mellow taste. For a crispier bottom, bake on a preheated pizza stone instead of a baking sheet.
Variations
Cheese bombs are endlessly adaptable. You can use different fillings like cream cheese mixed with chives, shredded cooked chicken with BBQ sauce, or even small pieces of cooked bacon. For a spicy version, add sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter. You can also make them sweet by swapping the garlic butter for cinnamon sugar and filling them with cream cheese and fruit preserves.
Make-Ahead and Storage
If you want to prepare cheese bombs ahead of time, assemble them but don’t bake. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then bake just before serving. Baked cheese bombs can be stored in the fridge for 2–3 days and reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. They can also be frozen after baking — just thaw and reheat before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic butter cheese bombs pair beautifully with marinara sauce for dipping. They also make a great side dish for pasta, lasagna, or soup. For a party platter, arrange them in a circle on a serving board with multiple dipping sauces like ranch, pesto, and spicy sriracha mayo.
Nutritional Benefits
While cheese bombs are a comfort food treat, they do offer some nutritional value. Cheese provides calcium and protein, and herbs like parsley and oregano bring antioxidants and flavor without added calories. To make them a little lighter, use reduced-fat cheese and whole-wheat pizza dough.
Making Them Extra Special
If you’re serving these for a special occasion, you can shape the dough balls into themed designs. Arrange them in the shape of a Christmas tree for the holidays, a heart for Valentine’s Day, or a football for game day. Brush with garlic butter and bake as usual, then garnish for a show-stopping centerpiece.
Troubleshooting
If the cheese leaks out during baking, it’s usually because the dough wasn’t sealed tightly. Make sure to pinch the seams well and roll the dough ball so it’s smooth before baking. If the tops brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
Final Thoughts
Easy garlic butter cheese bombs are the kind of recipe that quickly becomes a go-to favorite. They’re simple, fast, and incredibly satisfying — the combination of warm bread, melted cheese, and buttery garlic is hard to resist. Whether you make them as a snack, a side, or a party appetizer, you’ll find that they disappear quickly. Keep a can of biscuit or pizza dough in the fridge and some cheese on hand, and you’ll always be ready to whip up a batch when the craving strikes.