Get ready to meet your new favorite obsession: these unbelievably easy garlic cheese bombs. Imagine pulling apart a warm, golden-brown bread roll to reveal a molten, gooey center of melted mozzarella cheese, all soaked in a rich, savory garlic butter sauce. They are the ultimate appetizer, snack, or side dish, and they come together in just about 20 minutes with only a handful of simple ingredients. If you’re looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this is it.
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. We use refrigerated biscuit dough as a genius shortcut, which means no time is wasted on making dough from scratch. Just wrap, bake, and brush with a decadent garlic butter. It’s the perfect recipe for game day, parties, or just a cozy night in.
Why This Garlic Cheese Bombs Recipe Works
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for so many reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly simple. With canned biscuit dough as the base, the hardest part is just unwrapping the cheese! It’s a fantastic recipe for getting kids involved in the kitchen. Second, the flavor payoff is huge. The combination of rich butter, savory garlic, and stringy mozzarella is simply irresistible. Finally, these cheesy garlic bombs are endlessly versatile and a guaranteed hit with everyone who tries them.
The 5 Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts of this recipe is the short and simple ingredient list. You likely have most of these on hand already!
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: A large can of refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands!) is the key. Each biscuit will form one perfect bomb.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella string cheese sticks are the easiest to use and provide the best cheese pull. You can also use mozzarella cubes.
- Butter: This is the base of our delicious garlic butter sauce. I recommend using salted butter for the best flavor.
- Garlic & Herbs: A combination of garlic powder and dried parsley gives the butter sauce its signature flavor. Feel free to use fresh if you have it!
- Parmesan Cheese: A little bit of grated Parmesan cheese adds a final salty, savory kick.
How to Make Garlic Cheese Bombs (Step-by-Step)
Making these cheesy garlic bombs is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Separate the biscuit dough and flatten each biscuit into a 3-4 inch circle with your fingers.
- Stuff with Cheese: Cut each mozzarella stick into three equal pieces. Place one piece of cheese in the center of a flattened biscuit.
- Seal the Bombs: Carefully stretch the dough up and around the cheese, pinching the seams together tightly to form a ball. It’s very important to ensure it’s fully sealed to prevent any cheese from leaking out during baking.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sealed dough balls seam-side down in a greased 9-inch round baking pan or pie dish. Bake for 13-17 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
- Make the Garlic Butter: While the cheese bombs are baking, melt the butter in a small bowl. Stir in the garlic powder, parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
A view of the garlic cheese bombs arranged in a baking dish before going into the oven.
- Brush with Butter: As soon as the garlic cheese bombs come out of the oven, brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the hot rolls. Serve immediately for the best, gooiest cheese pull!
Freshly baked garlic cheese bombs being brushed with a savory garlic butter sauce.
Tips for the Absolute BEST Cheesy Garlic Bombs
Want to make sure your biscuit cheese bombs are absolutely perfect? Follow these simple pro tips.
- Seal Them Tight: This is the most critical step. If you don’t pinch the seams of the dough together very securely, the melting cheese will leak out while baking. Double-check each one!
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on them in the oven. They bake quickly, and you want them to be just golden brown on top to ensure the inside is soft and the cheese is perfectly melted, not hardened.
- Use Low-Moisture Mozzarella: Whether you use string cheese or a block, opt for low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella contains too much water and can make the dough soggy.
- Brush While Hot: Apply the garlic butter sauce the moment they come out of the oven. The hot rolls will absorb the butter beautifully, making them extra flavorful and delicious. For another cheesy favorite, check out this Philly cheesesteak casserole recipe.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, it’s also a great canvas for creativity. Here are a few fun variations for your next batch of garlic cheese bombs.
- Spicy Jalapeño Popper: Add a slice of pickled jalapeño and a dab of cream cheese along with the mozzarella.
- Bacon Cheddar: Swap the mozzarella for a cube of sharp cheddar cheese and add some crumbled, cooked bacon inside.
- Pepperoni Pizza: Tuck a few slices of mini pepperoni in with the mozzarella and serve with a side of pizza sauce. This reminds me of our popular low-carb pizza bowl.
- Herbaceous Herb Bomb: Add a pinch of Italian seasoning or some fresh chopped rosemary to the garlic butter for an extra layer of flavor. For another garlic-forward dish, try our garlic parmesan crusted halibut.
What to Serve with Your Cheese Bombs
These cheesy garlic bombs are fantastic on their own, but they are even better with a dipping sauce! We love serving them with a bowl of warm marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or even our favorite white garlic pizza sauce. They also make an incredible side dish for comforting meals like pasta, soup, or a Mississippi pot roast.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
These are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but you can easily prepare them ahead of time.
- To Make Ahead: Assemble the cheese bombs completely but do not bake them. Cover them tightly and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: For the best results, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes, until they are warmed through and the cheese is melty again. Microwaving can make them a bit tough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Cheese Bombs
Yes! To make them in an air fryer, place the assembled bombs in a single layer in the basket. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
The key is to create a very tight seal. After placing the cheese in the center, stretch the dough up and around it, firmly pinching all the seams together. Place them in the baking pan seam-side down to help keep them sealed.
Store leftover garlic cheese bombs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes until warm and the cheese is melty again.
The easiest and most popular dough is refrigerated canned biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands!. Its fluffy texture is perfect for this recipe. You can also use canned pizza dough or crescent roll dough, though the texture and baking time may vary slightly.
Low-moisture mozzarella is the best choice for that classic, gooey cheese pull. You can use string cheese sticks cut into pieces or cubes from a block. Cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack also work well for different flavor profiles.
Share Your Creations!
I hope you love this easy garlic cheese bombs recipe as much as we do! If you give it a try, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! And don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Easy Garlic Cheese Bombs Recipe
Garlic Cheese Bombs (The Easiest 20-Minute Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round baking pan or pie dish.
- Separate the 8 biscuits. Flatten each one with your fingers into a circle about 3-4 inches wide.
- Cut the mozzarella string cheese sticks into 8 equal-sized pieces. Place one piece of cheese in the center of each flattened biscuit.
- Fold the dough up and around the cheese. Pinch the seams together firmly to seal the cheese completely inside. This is crucial to prevent leaks.
- Place the cheese bombs seam-side down in the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 13-17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- While baking, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- As soon as the cheese bombs come out of the oven, brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the tops. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Serve with marinara sauce or ranch for dipping for an extra delicious treat.
