Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb Recipe

If you are dreaming of an indulgent, gooey, and savory treat to wow your family or guests, the Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb is exactly what you need. This heavenly creation is essentially a giant pillow of golden pizza dough loaded with melty mozzarella and cream cheese, all wrapped in a crispy, buttery garlic coat that will ignite your taste buds from the very first bite. It’s fun, festive, and utterly irresistible, making it a perfect show-stopping appetizer or a snack to elevate any gathering. Prepare to get messy with cheese pulls and savor every buttery, garlicky morsel of this crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting your hands on the right ingredients is the first step to nailing this recipe, and fortunately, they’re simple pantry staples that wonderfully complement each other. Every component, from the stretchy mozzarella to the fragrant garlic butter, plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in your Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb.

• Pizza dough (1 lb): The foundation of your bomb, choose store-bought for convenience or homemade for that extra touch of love and freshness.
• Shredded mozzarella (2½ cups): Offers that ooey-gooey melt everyone craves; a blend of mozzarella and provolone works beautifully for a rich, flavorful cheese pull.
• Cream cheese (½ cup, optional): Adds an indulgently creamy center and boosts gooeyness, but feel free to skip if you prefer a firmer cheese core.
• Butter, melted (4 tbsp): The magic ingredient to get a perfectly golden, crispy exterior that tastes divine.
• Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Fresh garlic infuses every bite with aromatic warmth that’s totally unforgettable.
• Italian seasoning (1 tsp): Brings herby, savory notes that complement the cheesy filling and garlic butter crust beautifully.
• Garlic powder (½ tsp): Enhances that garlic flavor with subtle depth and complexity.
• Grated Parmesan (2 tbsp): Sprinkled on top for a sharp, salty finish and added texture contrast.
• Fresh parsley, chopped: Adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness for balance.
• Marinara sauce: Essential for dipping—warm, tangy marinara perfectly cuts through the rich cheese and buttery crust.

How to Make Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (205°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your dough bomb doesn’t stick and bakes evenly, setting you up for golden, crispy success.

Step 2: Shape the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll your pizza dough into a large, even circle. Aim for about 12 inches in diameter to give yourself enough room for the filling while leaving plenty of border to seal your dough bomb securely.

Step 3: Fill It with Cheese

Now comes the best part: heap the shredded mozzarella (and cream cheese if you’re using it) right in the center of your dough circle. Leave about 2 inches around the edges free from filling—that dough border is critical for sealing in all that glorious cheese.

Step 4: Seal the Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb

Carefully pull the edges of the dough up around the cheese filling and pinch them tightly together to form a sealed ball. Make sure there are no gaps or holes or you might have a cheesy explosion in the oven. Place your dough bomb seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet to keep it perfectly round while baking.

Step 5: Coat with Garlic Butter

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to create a heavenly garlic butter sauce. Brush this mixture generously all over the surface of your dough bomb, coating every inch. This step guarantees a crisp, flavorful crust that’s packed with garlic goodness.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pop your Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb into the oven and bake for 22 to 26 minutes. You want it deeply golden and puffed up with that beautifully baked crust that promises a satisfying crunch with each bite.

Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches

Once out of the oven, brush the top again with any remaining garlic butter and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley. This final flourish adds both flavor and a lovely visual appeal that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

How to Serve Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley, a dusting of Parmesan, and a drizzle of garlic butter create that classic look and elevate the dish’s aroma. If you want to add a touch of heat, crushed red pepper flakes also make a delightful garnish.

Side Dishes

Serve your pizza dough bomb alongside warm marinara sauce for dipping, maybe a side salad with crisp greens and tangy vinaigrette to balance the indulgence, or roasted veggies to round out the meal. The tanginess of marinara expertly cuts through the richness, adding perfect harmony.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb into wedges, just like a pizza, or pull it apart piece by piece for a casual, shareable experience. You can also serve it as a dramatic centerpiece for game day or a cozy movie night that everyone will talk about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover dough bombs tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the dough fresh and the cheese from drying out, allowing you to enjoy the deliciousness later without compromise.

Freezing

If you want to prep in advance, freeze the sealed but unbaked dough bomb on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then wrap it in foil or place it in a freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months and can be baked straight from frozen, just add extra baking time.

Reheating

To reheat, place leftovers in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again on the outside. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the dough chewy instead of beautifully crusty.

FAQs

Can I use different types of cheese in the Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb?

Absolutely! While mozzarella and provolone offer the perfect melt and stretch, feel free to experiment with cheddar, fontina, or even a spicy pepper jack to customize the flavor to your liking.

Is it necessary to use cream cheese inside the dough bomb?

Cream cheese is optional but highly recommended if you love a super creamy, gooey center. If you prefer a more traditional melty cheese center, just stick to shredded cheeses.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, with a gluten-free pizza dough substitute, you can enjoy the Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb without gluten. Just be sure to handle the dough gently as gluten-free doughs tend to be more delicate.

What’s the best way to prevent the dough from bursting during baking?

Make sure you seal the edges pinched tight and leave enough border around the filling so the cheese doesn’t ooze out. Also, avoid overfilling and check for any small holes before baking.

Can I prepare the garlic butter in advance?

Yes, you can mix and store the garlic butter in the fridge for a day or two before using. Bring it back to room temperature or warm slightly before brushing it over the dough.

Final Thoughts

The Giant Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Butter Pizza Dough Bomb is one of those magical recipes that turns an ordinary night into a celebration of comfort food at its best. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or indulging in your own cheesy cravings, this dish never fails to deliver that perfect combination of crispy, buttery, garlicky, and melty deliciousness. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try making it yourself—you’re going to love every luscious bite and the smiles it brings to your table.