Mediterranean Pull Apart Bread (Printer-friendly)
Soft, golden bread with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta, and fresh herbs. Perfect sharing appetizer for gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant dry yeast
03 - 1 tsp sugar
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup warm water (110°F)
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Mediterranean Filling
07 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
08 - 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
09 - 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For Brushing
16 - 1 tbsp olive oil
17 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
02 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in volume.
04 - Mix sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta, basil, parsley, garlic, melted butter, oregano, and black pepper in a bowl.
05 - Punch down risen dough and roll into a 12x16 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread filling evenly over dough.
06 - Cut dough vertically into 4 equal strips, stack strips on top of each other, then cut stack into 6 equal pieces.
07 - Arrange stacks upright in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
08 - Brush top with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, tenting with foil if browning too quickly.
09 - Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way warm feta melts into crevices creating salty pockets throughout
- Fresh herbs transform simple dough into something that feels like an event
- Pulling apart pieces feels almost ceremonial especially when friends reach in simultaneously
02 -
- Warm water should feel like bath temperature never hot enough to kill yeast
- Stacking strips creates those signature pull apart layers so do not skip this step
- Tenting foil after 20 minutes prevents burning while ensuring center cooks through
03 -
- Sprinkle a little coarse salt over the top before baking for texture contrast
- Let the bread cool for exactly 10 minutes in the pan before removing