This Gluten-Free Cheese & Garlic Tear ‘n’ Share Bread is a soft and fluffy recipe, which is made with a homemade gluten-free dough and a rich three-cheese and roasted garlic butter. It’s the ultimate savory side dish for sharing, ready after a couple of hours of rising time.
Gluten-Free Cheese & Garlic Bread Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 450g gluten-free white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 2 teaspoon fast-action yeast
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 large free-range egg
- 1 large free-range egg white
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
For the Filling:
- 2 bulbs of garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 80g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 25g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 x 125g ball of mozzarella, torn up
- 50g Stilton or other blue cheese, crumbled
- ½ a bunch of fresh basil (15g), leaves picked and torn
How To Make Gluten-Free Cheese & Garlic Tear ‘n’ Share Bread
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400°F/gas 6. Cut the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and wrap them in a square of tin foil. Place on a baking tray and roast for 45 minutes, until the cloves are very soft. Let them cool slightly, then squeeze the soft, roasted garlic out of its skins.
- Make the Cheese Butter: While the garlic roasts, make the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter with all but 1 tablespoon of each cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, and Stilton). Add the torn basil leaves and a pinch of salt and pepper. Once the garlic is cool, add it to the bowl and mix everything together.
- Make the Gluten-Free Dough: In a large bowl, add the flour, yeast, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In another bowl, beat the whole egg and egg white with the vinegar. Pour the egg mixture and 325ml of warm water over the flour mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon until it forms a soft dough.
- Assemble the Loaf: Shape the dough into a smooth ball, using a little extra flour if needed, then let it rest for 20 minutes to firm up. Divide the dough into four equal pieces. On a well-floured surface, roll or press each piece into a rectangle about 20x10cm.
- Layer the Dough: Place one rectangle of dough down and dot it with one-third of the cheesy butter mixture. Carefully place another piece of dough on top and repeat the process, layering the dough and cheese butter. Finish with the last layer of dough on top.
- Shape and Second Rise: Cut the layered dough widthways into four equal stacks. Turn each stack cut-side-up and place them side by side in a greased and lined 1.2-litre loaf tin. Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour, until well risen and pillowy.
- Bake and Serve: Preheat the oven to 220C/425°F/gas 7. Scatter the loaf with the rest of the reserved cheeses and drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake for 45 minutes, or until deep golden brown and sizzling. Let it cool in the tin for a few minutes before serving warm on the day it’s made.

Recipe Tips
- How to handle gluten-free dough? Gluten-free dough is naturally stickier than wheat-based dough. As the recipe notes, don’t be afraid to use plenty of flour on your work surface and on your hands to prevent it from sticking.
- Why roast the garlic first? Roasting garlic is a secret weapon for flavor! It transforms the garlic’s sharp, pungent bite into a sweet, mild, and nutty paste that infuses the entire bread without being overpowering.
- How to get a good rise? The key is to use lukewarm water (around 110°F), not hot, to activate the yeast. A warm, draft-free spot is also essential for the dough to rise properly.
- What’s the best way to get a cheesy, gooey result? The layering technique is key. Placing the dough stacks cut-side-up in the loaf tin is what creates all the nooks and crannies for the cheese to melt into, making it the perfect “tear ‘n’ share” bread.
What To Serve With This Bread
This is a rich and savory sharing bread that is a fantastic side dish or appetizer. It is perfect for:
- Dipping into a hearty tomato soup or a beef stew.
- Serving alongside a classic lasagna or spaghetti bolognese.
- As a standalone appetizer for a party or gathering.
How To Store Tear ‘n’ Share Bread
- Best Eaten Fresh: This bread is at its absolute best when it is served warm and fresh from the oven, when the cheese is gooey and the bread is soft.
- Refrigerate: If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: For the best results, wrap the bread in foil and reheat it in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to restore its softness and re-melt the cheese.
Cheese & Garlic Bread Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/8th of loaf
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of flour?
This recipe is specifically designed to be gluten-free and is balanced for a gluten-free bread flour blend. Substituting with regular all-purpose or bread flour would require significant changes to the liquid ratios and would result in a very different texture.
Can I use a different mix of cheeses?
Absolutely! The combination of Parmesan, mozzarella, and a blue cheese is fantastic, but feel free to use your favorite melting cheeses. A sharp cheddar, provolone, or fontina would all be delicious.
Why is my gluten-free dough so dense?
Gluten-free breads are naturally denser than their wheat-based counterparts. However, a very dense result could be from overmixing the dough or from the yeast not activating properly. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your water is the correct lukewarm temperature.
Try More Recipes:
Gluten-Free Cheese & Garlic Tear ‘n’ Share Bread Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: EuropeanDifficulty: Easy10
30
minutes45
minutes550
kcalA soft, savory, and cheesy gluten-free pull-apart bread, layered with a rich filling of roasted garlic, three cheeses, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Dough: 450g gluten-free white bread flour, 2 tsp yeast, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 egg + 1 egg white, 1 tsp vinegar.
Filling: 2 bulbs of garlic, 80g butter, 25g Parmesan, 125g mozzarella, 50g blue cheese, fresh basil.
Directions
- Roast the garlic bulbs in a 200ºC/gas 6 oven for 45 minutes until soft.
- Make the cheese butter by mixing the softened butter, the three cheeses, fresh basil, and the squeezed-out roasted garlic.
- Make the dough by combining all the dough ingredients with 325ml of warm water. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Divide the dough into four rectangles. Layer them up with the cheese butter mixture in between each layer.
- Cut the layered stack into four pieces and place them, cut-side up, into a lined loaf tin.
- Let the loaf rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until pillowy.
- Preheat oven to 220C/gas 7. Top with reserved cheese and bake for 45 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Let it cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to roast the garlic first; this creates a sweet, mellow flavor that makes the bread irresistible.
- Don’t be afraid to use a generous amount of flour when rolling out the gluten-free dough, as it will be sticky.
- The layering and stacking method is the secret to creating the perfect “tear ‘n’ share” effect.
- This bread is best served warm on the day it is made for the ultimate cheesy, gooey experience.