If you are a carb lover like me, this Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe is just what you need for snacking. One bite and you are going to be hooked!! These little bread nuggets are simply irresistible. These simple bites are one of those copycat recipes, that are made even better since they are homemade. If you love Domino's parmesan bread bites, you are going to be obsessed with them!
For a little added spice, how about dipping them in a habanero ranch? Or if you want a lighter dip, maybe a beet hummus is more in line?
If you're looking for more easy appetizer ideas, try these whole wheat pretzels and my asparagus and puff pastry bites! They're so good.
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What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- The Flavor! It's what sells these little bites. Isn't there just something so good about parmesan and herbs together? Especially if it is a little brushed generously with BUTTER!!
- Size Matters Here. These little bite-sized pieces are perfect for snacking. Each little bread bite is a party on its own. They make the perfect appetizer.
- Easy recipe. I will share a favorite pizza dough recipe for making these from scratch, but you can also use store-bought refrigerated dough too, which will save you time on prep work.
Ingredients
Here's a list of the ingredients you need to make these homemade bread bites!
- Bread flour: This flour is ideal for making pizza dough. It has a higher protein level giving the dough the best texture for pizza.
- Salt: I like to use kosher salt in mine but sea salt also works.
- Yeast: I used active dry yeast, but you can also use instant yeast which will save you a little time.
- Butter: Brushing melted butter on the bites infuses them with a rich, salty flavor.
- Olive oil: Added to the butter to give these bites for the best flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: You can buy it grated but I like to grate my own for maximum freshness.
- Garlic powder: For a touch of flavor! In this recipe, the garlic powder works better than minced garlic for a slightly milder flavor, and also the minced garlic burns easily.
- Italian seasoning: The perfect seasoning blend for your bread bites. You can buy it premixed or check the recipe card for the individual herbs needed to make it.
Substitutions and Variations
- Pizza dough: You can use store-bought dough like this Jus-Rol pizza dough. They come in a roll-out pizza dough or a dough ball. The dough ball is a little easier to use if you can find it.
- Use a different cheese: I find a hard cheese works rather than one that gets too melted. Asiago and Pecorino Romano make other options that will work well.
- More intense garlic flavor. If you like garlic, you can add lots of garlic flavor by using minced garlic in place of garlic powder.
- For a bit of spice. Add about ½-1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with your spices.
- Shape into garlic knots. Roll the dough into 1-inch ropes that are about 4 inches long. Twist into a knot and brush with the butter mixture.
- Use fresh herbs: You can also chop up and add fresh herbs to the butter sauce as well. I like using oregano, basil, and thyme.
How to Make Parmesan Bread Bites
- Make the Pizza Dough. Mix all ingredients for 6-8 minutes until you have a smooth dough.
PRO TIP: You can make the dough in your stand mixer or knead by hand as I show in the video. If you are mixing this in your stand mixer, use the dough hook, not the beaters. Mix the dough on low speed at the start and then increase to medium speed.
- Cover the dough ball with plastic wrap and allow it to rise until it has doubled in size.
- Roll the dough into logs that are about 1 inch thick. If you have the roll-out pizza dough, I like to cut it into 1-inch strips with a pizza cutter.
- Cut the strips into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife. Set all the pieces on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
- Melt the butter in the microwave or you can also use a small saucepan if you prefer. Add the spices and half of the parmesan cheese and mix.
- Coat the bites in the butter mixture. Place them in the garlic butter mix and gently turn them over the cover. Place them on the baking sheet. Save any extra butter for brushing on them after they're baked.
- Bake the pieces for about 10-15 minutes until they are golden brown. Brush them with the remaining butter and sprinkle with the last of the parmesan cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ideas for serving these tasty treats!
- The simplest way to serve these cheesy bread bites is just like they are fresh from the oven. They can make a great appetizer all on their own! You can easily snack on these during a game or movie.
- Dip them in warm marinara sauce. You can make it yourself or buy it canned and warm it up on the stove.
- Serve them as a side for soups and stews. They're perfect bite-size pieces for dipping into a bowl of chicken gnocchi soup or sausage farro soup.
- These are also fun to munch with any Italian dishes you might be serving. Enjoy them with sausage and ravioli soup, pan-fried gnocchi, or this easy one-pot chicken skillet.
How to Store
These are best enjoyed freshly baked while still warm. But don't waste them because they will reheat too!
- Leftovers: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheat: Return them to a baking tray and bake in a 350° F oven until heated through about 8-10 minutes. Brush with more butter after baking if they seem a bit dry.
Expert Tips
- Cheese Recommendation. I like to use a blend of parmesan and asiago cheese for my bites. I love the combo. You do not have to do this though, they are still really delicious with just the parmesan.
- Use a Pastry Brush. It is easiest to brush the bites with the butter mixture using a pastry brush.
- No Parchment Paper. You can also use a greased baking sheet.
- Cook in an Air Fryer. I do not own one so can't give you the specifics but it can be used.
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Homemade Parmesan Bread Bites (Domino’s Copycat Recipe)
If you are a carb lover like me, this Parmesan Bread Bites Recipe is just what you need for snacking. One bite and you are going to be hooked!! These little bread nuggets are simply irresistible. These simple bites are one of those copycat recipes, that are made even better since they are homemade. If you love Domino's parmesan bread bites, you are going to be obsessed with them!
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ½-3 ½ cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
Optional Store Bought Pizza Dough
- 1 package pizza dough This is used in place of above ingredients if you don't want to make the pizza dough.
Butter garlic parmesan
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- If you are making the pizza dough, follow the next 4 steps. If you are using store-bought pizza dough, skip the next couple steps.
Make the Pizza Dough
- Combine the water and yeast in a bowl. Mix gently and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Add in the olive oil, salt, and 2 ½ cups of flour. Mix for 2 minutes. If you need to, add in more flour. I used about 3 cups in mine, but this will depend on humidity in your area, flour, etc.
- Once the dough has enough water in it, mix for 6 minutes until it is smooth. If you are kneading by hand, this may take a little longer.
- Cover and let it rise until it is doubled.
Roll and Cut Bread Bites
- Roll into 1-inch ropes. If you are using premade dough, cut it into 1-inch strips.
- Then cut each rope into 1-inch pieces. Place on a baking sheet. Spray first or use parchment paper. Combine the butter mixture. Working in batches add the bites to the butter and turn over to coat. Place them on the baking sheet.
- Let them rise for at least 20 minutes in a warm place. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees while they are rising.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining butter mixture and sprinkle with the last of the parmesan. I also sprinkled them with a touch of finely chopped parsley, this is optional though.
- That is it! They are done and ready to serve.
Notes
Be sure to check the full post above for more tips, serving ideas, variations and more!
- I like to use a blend of parmesan and asiago cheese for my bites. I love the combo. You do not have to do this though, they are still really delicious with just the parmesan.
- If you like really like garlic, you can add lots of garlic flavor by using minced garlic in place of garlic powder. I usually use the powder as the minced garlic sometimes will burn a bit when you cook it at high temps like this. But, it is up to you!
- if you want a little spice, you can always mix in about ½-1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with your spices.
- It is easiest to brush the bites with the butter mixture using a pastry brush.
- If you want, you can also use a greased baking sheet instead of a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- This recipe will also work for garlic knots as well. Roll the dough into 1-inch ropes that are about 4 inches long. Twist into a knot and brush with the butter mixture.
- You can also chop up and add fresh herbs to the butter sauce as well. I like using oregano, basil, and thyme.
- An air fryer can also be used to cook these. I do not own one, so can't give you the specifics, but they can be used.
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