Sourdough Monkey Bread with Garlic & Cheese

There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling apart warm, cheesy monkey bread and watching gooey strands of cheese stretch with each bite. Now imagine that indulgent experience leveled up with sourdough tang, savory garlic, and golden-brown buttery crusts. That’s what you get with this homemade Sourdough Monkey Bread with Garlic & Cheese—a tear-and-share bread that’s perfect for dinner parties, weekend indulgences, game days, and cozy nights in.

Whether you’re a seasoned sourdough enthusiast or just looking for a fun, delicious way to use up your active starter, this recipe is going to steal the show. It’s tender on the inside, crispy on the edges, and laced with garlicky cheese flavor in every bite. Even better, it’s baked in a bundt pan, which gives it a gorgeous presentation with minimal effort.

This blog post will walk you through every step of making this savory masterpiece, from building the dough to layering the buttery garlic and cheese mixture, baking, serving, and storing. Plus, we’ll dive into creative variations and expert tips so you can make it your own.

Let’s start with the heart of this recipe: the dough.

Ingredients for Sourdough Monkey Bread with Garlic & Cheese

For the Dough:

• 200 g active sourdough starter

• 500 g King Arthur all-purpose flour

• 10 g salt

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 60 g melted butter

• 250 g warm water

Garlic Cheese Coating:

• 4 tbsp butter, melted

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

Step 1: Make the Dough

Combine sourdough starter, warm water, sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl. Stir until mostly combined. Add the flour and salt. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

Knead the dough by hand for 8–10 minutes or use a stand mixer with a dough hook on low for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Cover the dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 4–6 hours or until puffy. You can also place it in the refrigerator overnight for a slow, cold ferment that adds deeper sourdough flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter and Cheese

In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. This cheesy duo will melt beautifully and infuse your monkey bread with irresistible flavor.

Step 3: Assemble the Monkey Bread

Once your dough is risen and puffy, punch it down gently and divide it into small pieces—about the size of a ping-pong ball.

Grease a bundt pan generously with butter or nonstick spray.

Dip each dough ball into the garlic butter mixture, then roll it in the cheese mixture. Begin layering the coated dough balls into the pan, making sure to distribute them evenly. Continue until all dough is used.

Pour any remaining garlic butter and cheese over the top.

Cover and let the assembled monkey bread rise again for about 1 hour or until puffy.

Step 4: Bake the Monkey Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the monkey bread for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the final 10–15 minutes.

Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the monkey bread warm, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. It’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or centerpiece for a meal.

Pair it with a warm marinara sauce for dipping or serve alongside a big green salad and soup. You’ll find it’s impossible to eat just one piece—this bread is meant for pulling, sharing, and savoring.

Why Use Sourdough for Monkey Bread?

Using sourdough starter in your monkey bread not only adds amazing flavor, but it also improves the texture and structure of the dough. The natural fermentation process enhances digestibility and brings complexity that you just can’t get from commercial yeast alone.

This recipe uses active sourdough starter to give your bread that subtle tang that balances the richness of cheese and garlic. If you’ve been looking for a new way to bake with your starter, this is it.

Variations to Try

• Spicy Jalapeño Cheddar: Add diced pickled jalapeños to the cheese mixture and swap mozzarella for sharp cheddar.

• Herb & Feta: Use crumbled feta and a mix of fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil.

• Bacon & Cheddar: Mix crispy bacon bits into the garlic butter and top with shredded cheddar.

• Sun-Dried Tomato & Mozzarella: Chop sun-dried tomatoes and add to each dough ball for a burst of umami flavor.

• Pesto Monkey Bread: Mix pesto into the butter and use fresh mozzarella pearls for a Mediterranean twist.

Tips for Perfect Sourdough Monkey Bread

• Make sure your starter is active and bubbly before using.

• Don’t skimp on the garlic butter—it’s what gives every bite that savory punch.

• Grease your pan well to ensure an easy release.

• Let the bread rest before removing it from the pan to avoid collapsing.

• This bread reheats well in the oven wrapped in foil at 300°F for about 10–15 minutes.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 20–30 seconds.

Monkey bread can also be frozen. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Final Thoughts

Sourdough Monkey Bread with Garlic & Cheese isn’t just a recipe—it’s an experience. It brings people together over comfort food that’s interactive, fun to eat, and absolutely delicious.

Whether you serve it as an appetizer, game-day snack, or a side dish to soup or pasta, this monkey bread will earn you rave reviews and requests for the recipe. It’s proof that sourdough isn’t just for artisan loaves—it’s for flavor-packed comfort bakes too.

So go ahead. Pull, dip, repeat—and savor every cheesy, garlicky, golden bite.