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Serve them as a side dish alongside pasta dishes, soups, or salads Recipe

Serve them as a side dish alongside pasta dishes, soups, or salads Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 28 reviews

These Parmesan Bread Bites are soft, chewy, and bursting with savory garlic butter and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a delicious snack, they are best served warm with a side of tangy marinara sauce for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

Homemade Pizza Dough

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Garlic Butter

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic salt as substitute)
  • 3/8 teaspoon salt (1/4 + 1/8 tsp)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely minced)

Toppings and Serving

  • 4 to 6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Marinara sauce, warm, for dipping
  • Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray for greasing baking sheet

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Generously grease a large baking sheet with olive oil or use non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the Pizza Dough: Combine flour, warm water, yeast, olive oil, and salt. Knead until smooth and elastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Gently punch down to release some air and transfer to a floured surface.
  3. Cut the Dough into Bite-Sized Pieces: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into approximately 1-inch pieces, aiming for uniform size for even baking.
  4. Arrange Dough Bites and Rest: Place dough bites in a single layer spaced about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let rest in the warmest area of your kitchen for 30 minutes to proof and rise slightly.
  5. Prepare Garlic Butter and Preheat Oven: In a small bowl, mix room temperature unsalted butter with minced garlic (or garlic salt), salt, Italian seasoning, and parsley until creamy and well combined. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  6. Brush with Garlic Butter and Bake: Remove towel and brush dough pieces generously with garlic butter, reserving some for after baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
  7. Second Butter Brush and Parmesan Sprinkle: Immediately after baking, brush the hot bread bites with remaining garlic butter. If thickened, melt butter slightly before brushing. Sprinkle generously with freshly grated parmesan cheese to melt slightly from the heat.
  8. Serve Hot: Serve immediately while warm with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy the perfect blend of garlicky, buttery, cheesy flavors.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter to ensure a creamy and evenly spread garlic butter mixture.
  • Do not overbake to keep the bites soft and tender inside.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and offers superior flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • Adjust garlic amount according to taste preference for more or milder flavor.
  • Warm marinara sauce enhances the dipping experience with a comforting contrast.
  • Leftovers can be stored airtight at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated up to 4 days, reheating in a low oven for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Parmesan bread bites, garlic bread bites, pizza dough appetizer, cheesy bread snacks, Italian appetizer, party finger food

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/serve-them-as-a-side-dish-alongside-pasta-dishes-soups-or-salads-recipe/