Cheesy Garlic Butter Bombs

This cheesy garlic butter biscuit bombs recipe transforms ordinary Pillsbury biscuits into extraordinary bite-sized treats oozing with melted mozzarella. They're perfect for game day snacking, casual gatherings, or whenever you need a quick comfort food fix.

I first made these for a last minute Super Bowl party when I needed something impressive with minimal effort. The entire tray disappeared before halftime, and now they're requested at every gathering I host.

Ingredients

• Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers biscuits: create the perfect golden exterior while maintaining a soft interior
• Mozzarella cheese cubes: deliver that perfect stretchy cheese pull when bitten into
• Unsalted butter: allows you to control the saltiness of the final product
• Fresh minced garlic: provides more vibrant flavor than garlic powder alone
• Dried Italian seasoning: adds aromatic herb notes that complement the cheese perfectly
• Parmesan cheese: creates a savory umami crust on the exterior
• Marinara sauce: for dipping adds brightness that cuts through the richness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Biscuits:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Open the Pillsbury biscuit can and separate into 8 biscuits, then cut each in half to make 16 pieces. The cold dough works best, so avoid letting it sit at room temperature too long.

Flatten and Fill:

Gently press each biscuit half into a 3 inch circle using your fingertips. Work from the center outward to maintain even thickness. Place a mozzarella cube directly in the center of each flattened piece.

Create the Bombs:

Fold the edges of each biscuit piece up and around the cheese, pinching firmly to seal completely. Roll between your palms to form a smooth ball. The tighter the seal, the less cheese will leak during baking.

Apply Garlic Butter:

Combine melted butter with minced garlic, herbs, salt and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush this mixture generously over each sealed ball, making sure to coat all surfaces. Reserve about a tablespoon for after baking.

Bake to Perfection:

Place the cheese bombs on your prepared baking sheet with the seam side down and at least 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they become golden brown and slightly puffy. The exterior should be firm but still yield to gentle pressure.

Finish and Serve:

Remove from the oven and immediately brush with remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Let cool for 3 to 5 minutes before serving to avoid mouth burns from the molten cheese center.

Save

These little cheese bombs take me back to Friday movie nights with my kids when they were younger. We would make a big batch together, each person customizing their own with different cheese combinations. The kitchen would fill with the smell of garlic and butter, creating memories as delicious as the food itself.

Make Ahead Options

These cheese bombs can be prepared up to the baking stage and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking. Simply assemble the bombs, place them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator, brush with the garlic butter mixture, and add about 2 minutes to the baking time since they'll be starting cold.

Flavor Variations

The basic recipe serves as an excellent foundation for countless variations. Try stuffing with pepper jack cheese and adding a pinch of cayenne to the butter mixture for a spicy version. For an Italian twist, use provolone cheese and add sun dried tomatoes or a small piece of pepperoni alongside the cheese. You can even go sweet by using cinnamon sugar instead of garlic butter and stuffing with cream cheese and a small spoonful of fruit preserves.

Serving Suggestions

While these are delicious on their own, pairing them with complementary foods elevates the experience. Serve alongside a hearty tomato soup for dipping, or as part of an antipasto platter with olives, cured meats, and roasted vegetables. For a complete meal, pair with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cheese bombs.

Troubleshooting Tips

If cheese leaks during baking, don't worry. The escaped cheese will create deliciously crispy edges on your baking sheet. Just be sure to use parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use different types of cheese for these Cheese Bombs?

Absolutely! While mozzarella provides that classic stretchy cheese pull, you can experiment with cheddar, pepper jack, or even a combination of cheeses. Just make sure to use cheese that melts well and cut it into appropriately sized cubes. Softer cheeses like brie or camembert can also work but may be messier when melted.

→ How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?

The key is to completely seal the biscuit dough around the cheese. Make sure to pinch the seams firmly and roll the ball gently between your palms to ensure there are no openings. Always place the bombs seam-side down on the baking sheet. If you're still having issues, you can try freezing the cheese cubes for 15 minutes before wrapping them in dough.

→ Can I make these Cheese Bombs ahead of time?

You can prepare these up to the point of baking and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. Keep them covered in the refrigerator and brush with the garlic butter just before baking. You may need to add 1-2 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator. For best results, serve them freshly baked when the cheese is still warm and gooey.

→ What are some variations I can try with this dish?

The possibilities are endless! Try adding chopped pepperoni or cooked bacon bits inside with the cheese for a meatier version. For herb variations, mix different herbs into the garlic butter like rosemary or thyme. You could also incorporate a teaspoon of pesto into the garlic butter, or sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top instead of Parmesan for a different flavor profile.

→ Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of Pillsbury?

Yes, homemade biscuit dough works well as a substitute. The key is using a dough that's pliable enough to wrap around the cheese and seal properly. If your homemade dough is too crumbly, it might not seal well. Aim for a dough with a texture similar to Pillsbury's - slightly elastic and easy to work with. The baking time might vary slightly with homemade dough, so watch them carefully.

→ How do I store and reheat leftover Cheese Bombs?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. Microwaving is possible but may make the biscuits slightly tough - if using a microwave, heat them on 50% power for 30-second intervals until warm. The texture is best when freshly baked, but reheating in an oven helps maintain some of the original crispy exterior.