These delicious homemade Parmesan bread bites are a perfect copycat of the famous Dominos side dish. Soft on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside, and packed with cheesy garlic flavor, these bite-sized treats are impossible to resist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll fall in love with these Parmesan bread bites because they’re incredibly easy to make yet taste like they came straight from your favorite pizza shop. Using just a handful of pantry staples, you can create these addictive little morsels in under 30 minutes. They’re perfect as an appetizer, side dish for pasta, or game day snack. The combination of Parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings creates that unmistakable flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more. Plus, they’re more economical than delivery and you can customize the seasonings to your preference!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Pizza dough serves as the foundation for these bread bites. You can use store-bought refrigerated pizza dough for convenience, or make your own from scratch if you prefer. Either way, you’ll get delicious results. Just make sure the dough is at room temperature for easier handling.
Parmesan cheese provides that distinctive savory, nutty flavor that makes these bites irresistible. Freshly grated Parmesan works best as it melts more evenly and has a superior flavor to pre-grated varieties. The cheese creates a beautiful golden crust on the outside of each bite.
Garlic powder infuses the bread bites with that classic aromatic flavor. It distributes more evenly than fresh garlic would in this recipe, ensuring every bite has that perfect garlicky taste without any harsh bits or burning.
Olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the dough and contributes to the bread bites’ golden-brown exterior. It also adds a subtle fruity note that complements the other flavors. Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
Italian seasoning brings a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that elevates these bread bites from simple to spectacular. This herb mixture adds complexity and authentic Italian flavors that pair perfectly with the cheese and garlic.
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take your pizza dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut or tear the dough into approximately 2-inch bite-sized pieces. You can use a knife, pizza cutter, or simply pinch off small portions with your fingers.
- In a small bowl, combine the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until all seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Brush each piece of dough with olive oil on all sides. This will help the seasoning mixture stick and create a crisp exterior.
- Roll each oiled dough piece in the Parmesan mixture, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
- Arrange the coated dough pieces on your parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one to allow for expansion.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bread bites are puffed up and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings of bread bites, with each serving containing about 80 calories. The preparation takes about 15 minutes, and the cooking time is another 15 minutes, for a total time of 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a quick and easy recipe that delivers big on flavor without a significant time investment.
Variations
Cheesy Herb Bites: Add 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese to the Parmesan mixture for extra cheesiness.
Spicy Bread Bites: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix for a spicy kick.
Pesto Parmesan Bites: Brush the dough with pesto instead of olive oil before rolling in the cheese mixture.
Everything Bagel Bites: Replace the Italian seasoning with everything bagel seasoning for a different flavor profile.
Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Bites: For a dessert version, omit the garlic and Italian seasonings, and instead roll the oiled dough in a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and a touch of nutmeg.
Stuffed Bread Bites: Before rolling in the seasoning, press a small cube of mozzarella or cheddar cheese into the center of each dough piece and seal well.
Storage/Reheating
These Parmesan bread bites are best enjoyed fresh from the oven when they’re still warm and the texture is perfect. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To reheat, place the bread bites on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving as this can make them tough and chewy.
You can also freeze the baked bread bites for up to 3 months. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag after they’ve cooled completely. To reheat from frozen, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until warmed through.
If you want to prepare ahead, you can roll and coat the dough pieces, then freeze them unbaked. When ready to serve, bake from frozen at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-18 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use pre-made dough from the store?
Yes, store-bought pizza dough works perfectly for this recipe. Look for it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. You can also use refrigerated biscuit dough or even bread dough as alternatives.
How do I know when the bread bites are done baking?
The bread bites should be puffed up and golden brown on the outside. If you’re unsure, you can carefully break one open – the inside should be fully cooked and no longer doughy.
Can I make these bread bites ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the bread bites up to the point of baking and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time since they’ll be starting cold.
What dipping sauces work best with these Parmesan bread bites?
Marinara sauce and ranch dressing are classic choices, but garlic butter, pizza sauce, alfredo sauce, or even a balsamic glaze also pair wonderfully with these bread bites.
Can I make these bread bites without cheese for a dairy-free version?
Yes, you can omit the Parmesan and instead focus on the garlic and herbs for flavor. You might want to add a bit more seasoning to compensate for the missing cheese flavor. Nutritional yeast makes a good dairy-free alternative that provides a similar cheesy flavor.
Why are my bread bites dense instead of light and fluffy?
This could be due to overworking the dough. Try to handle the dough as little as possible when cutting and rolling it. Also, make sure your dough has come to room temperature before working with it.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?
While fresh garlic provides great flavor, it can burn during baking. If you prefer fresh garlic, mince it very finely and mix it with the olive oil before brushing it on the dough to distribute it more evenly.
How small should I cut the dough pieces?
Aim for approximately 2-inch pieces before rolling. Remember that the dough will expand during baking, so they should be quite small to start with—about the size of a large marble or small walnut.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! Prepare the bread bites as directed, then air fry at 350°F (175°C) for about 6-8 minutes, checking frequently as air fryer temperatures can vary.
How can I prevent the cheese from burning?
If you notice the cheese browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the bread bites with aluminum foil for part of the baking time. Also, make sure your oven isn’t running too hot, as oven temperatures can sometimes be inaccurate.
Conclusion
These homemade Parmesan bread bites deliver all the flavor and satisfaction of the restaurant version but with the pride and customization options of making them yourself. They’re versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, side dish, or snack, and they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends. The combination of soft, pillowy dough with the savory punch of Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs creates an irresistible bite that’s hard to stop eating. Whether you’re serving them alongside pasta, as part of a game day spread, or simply enjoying them on their own, these bread bites are bound to become a regular in your recipe rotation. With minimal ingredients and prep time, there’s no reason not to whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes!
Print
Homemade Parmesan Bread Bites
Homemade Dominos-style Parmesan Bread Bites seasoned with garlic, Parmesan, and Italian herbs, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough into 2-inch bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, mix grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Brush each dough piece with olive oil and roll them in the cheese mixture.
- Place the coated dough pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving with marinara or ranch sauce.
Notes
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
- Pair with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara or ranch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
