Description
These Parmesan Bread Bites are irresistible little pieces of soft, garlicky dough brushed with herb-infused butter and sprinkled with sharp Parmesan cheese. Perfectly golden and fluffy, they’re a fantastic appetizer or snack when served warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- ⅓ recipe of Classic Pizza Dough
For the Garlic Butter
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, heaping
For the Topping and Serving
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: If using refrigerated pizza dough, let it sit at room temperature in its bag for one hour to take off the chill, which helps with easier rolling and better rising.
- Shape the Bread Bites: On parchment paper, divide the dough into four equal parts. Roll one piece into a 10-inch rope, then cut it into 10 one-inch pieces using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Repeat this for all four pieces, arranging the small dough bites evenly on a rimmed baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and ensure the baking sheet is generously sprayed to prevent sticking.
- Make Garlic Butter: Melt butter in the microwave until just melted. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt to create a flavorful garlic butter.
- Brush Before Baking: Brush half of the garlic butter mixture onto the tops of the risen dough bites to infuse them with flavor before baking.
- Bake Bread Bites: Bake the bites in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. They should appear very lightly golden—avoid overbaking to keep them soft and tender instead of hard.
- Add Final Touches: Remove from the oven and immediately brush half the bites with half the remaining garlic butter, then sprinkle grated Parmesan while the butter is still wet to ensure it sticks. Repeat with the remaining bites using the rest of the butter and cheese.
- Serve: Enjoy the Parmesan Bread Bites warm, served alongside marinara sauce or olive oil for dipping.
Notes
- Using fresh pizza dough helps achieve the best texture, but store-bought dough can substitute if necessary.
- Do not overbake the bites as they can become too hard; lightly golden is ideal.
- The garlic butter can be adjusted in seasoning to taste, adding more garlic or herbs if preferred.
- These bites are best served immediately for optimal softness but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 bread bites
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
