Gluten-Free Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread features balls of gluten-free pizza dough stuffed with melty cheese and arranged in a festive Christmas tree shape. Baked until puffy and golden and topped with a rich garlic butter mixture, it’s served warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping for a fun, crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer, snack, or side dish!
This post is sponsored by our friends at DeLallo and their gluten-free pizza dough mix made with simple ingredients for a homemade pizza dough that couldn’t be easier to make. Thank you for supporting the brands that help us create delicious gluten-free recipes like this one for you! Full disclosure and privacy terms here.
Personal Note: This is one of those recipes that looks time-consuming and fancy, but it’s actually so easy to make! I’m so glad I discovered DeLallo’s new gluten-free pizza dough mix because it’s incredibly versatile and makes recipes like this festive pull-apart Christmas tree bread totally doable. I can’t wait to share this with you—it’s definitely going to be a go-to for holiday appetizers and parties!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this gluten-free pull apart bread recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details including prep time, cook time, total time, calories, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, sodium, etc.!
- Gluten-Free Pizza Dough Mix – We use DeLallo’s gluten-free pizza dough mix or even use the gluten-free biscuits you like best. DeLallo’s gluten-free pizza dough mix, made with a blend of rice flour and chickpea flour, is a fantastic alternative for those avoiding gluten or wheat. The kit includes everything you need – a gluten-free flour blend and a packet of yeast – so you can easily mix it with water and let the dough rise.
- Cheese – I stuff the dough bites with mozzarella cheese cubes or sliced cheese sticks. Then, I add parmesan cheese on top for extra savory flavor.
Ingredient Swap: If preferred, you can substitute provolone cheese for mozzarella. It’s just as tasty and melts well!
- Melted Butter – This coats the baked bread bites, adding rich flavor and helping the cheese and seasonings stick.
- Minced Garlic – Feel free to substitute garlic powder if preferred.
- Fresh Herbs – Chopped basil and parsley add a refreshing touch and enhance the pizza flavor.
- Sea Salt – Adjust to taste.
- Pizza Sauce or Marinara Sauce – This is dolloped on top and used as a dipping sauce.
Quick-Tip: For a super quick and easy topping, skip the butter mixture, and use DeLallo’s pesto instead. Just warm it up slightly, and brush it over the bread.
Tips for Success
- Choosing the right Gluten-Free Pizza Dough Mix – Not all gluten-free pizza dough mixes are created equal for this recipe! We tested a couple of other gluten-free pizza dough mixes but found it too wet to work with.
- For best results, you need a gluten-free pizza dough mix that’s not tacky or sticky and can be easily rolled into a ball. This is why we love Delallo’s Gluten-Free Pizza Dough Mix. It’s incredibly versatile and I’ve used it to make not just pizzas, but also pizza muffins, dessert pizzas, garlic knots, and more—all gluten-free, of course!
- Make this recipe dairy-free. If needed, feel free to use plant-based mozzarella and parmesan cheese options. Then, swap the dairy butter with plant-based butter to keep this Christmas tree pull apart bread dairy-free. Make sure the dough you use is dairy-free, too!
- Finishing touches. I like to include an egg wash, brushing it over the bread before baking to help it become golden brown in the oven. It’s optional but adds a nice finishing touch!
- Enjoy right away. This recipe is best served fresh while it’s still warm and melty! The cheese tends to harden as it cools.
- My Personal Tip: Double batch the dough and freeze some for later. It’s perfect for making a larger tree or having on hand for other recipes when you need something quick and easy!
How to Make Gluten-Free Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
Prep Note Before You Begin: If using Delallo pizza dough, follow the directions on the package to make one 9-12 inch pizza, and allow 45 minutes for the dough to rise before beginning this pull apart bread recipe.
- Prepare. Preheat your oven, and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Or, lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray. Then, prepare the pizza dough according to the package instructions.
- Roll the dough. Divide the dough into two equal-sized balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a long rectangle. Then, cut each rectangle into 30 squares roughly 2 inches wide.
- Stuff. Place a piece of mozzarella in the center of each dough square. Then, gather, and pinch the edges together to form a ball. Gently roll each dough ball between your hands to smooth and seal the dough. Place them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Shape the Christmas Tree. Arrange the dough balls in the shape of a Christmas tree, starting with seven balls at the base. Then, add a layer of 6, a layer of 5, etc. ending with one dough ball on top. Add 2-4 balls at the bottom to form a trunk, if desired. This is optional, but super cute!
- Bake. Brush the dough balls with egg wash, if desired. This helps create a golden finish! Then, bake until the dough is puffy and lightly golden. This recipe bakes fairly quickly. So, keep a close eye on the oven, and remove the bread as soon as it’s golden brown!
Note: The exact baking time will vary depending on the type of dough used. So, be sure to keep a close eye on your oven, checking for doneness after 15 minutes.
- Prepare the topping. While the bread bakes, whisk the melted butter, garlic, Parmesan, and herbs in a small bowl.
- Garnish. Brush the butter mixture over the baked bread, and garnish with dollops of marinara or pizza sauce, chopped parsley, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of sea salt, if desired. Enjoy by pulling bites from the tree, no pizza cutter or sharp knife required!
Note: As the pull apart Christmas tree bread cools, it may harden slightly. To refresh it, simply add more topping (like melted butter or garlic butter), and reheat in the oven until warmed through and softened. It’ll taste as good as new!
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Common Questions
Stored in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap, leftover bread pieces will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I don’t recommend it! The dairy doesn’t tend to thaw well, and the bread pieces are likely to become soggy. However, you can prepare the pizza dough, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Then, just thaw it out when you’re ready to bake.
Shape the dough into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Freezing in ball form works best with dough that’s not overly tacky. To thaw, move the frozen dough ball to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, let the dough rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before shaping and using.
I love to serve this recipe with our favorite marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping! It’s perfect as an appetizer or snack to add to your holiday table.
Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread (Gluten-Free)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9–11 servings (2–3 bread balls/person) 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Prepare this easy Christmas tree pull apart bread with gluten-free pizza dough mix for a quick, cheesy, savory appetizer or snack perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
Dough
- Gluten free pizza dough mix (1 lb package) such as Delallo pizza dough (see instruction prep note)
Topping/Fillings (see notes for premade topping options)
- 1 cup diced mozzarella cheese (not fresh) or 6-7 mozzarella sticks, chopped into 1 inch pieces (see notes for substitutes)
- Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 Tablespoon water) – optional
- 4 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 Tablespoon chopped basil
- 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
- Pinch sea salt, optional
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce, warmed (for topping and serving)
Instructions
Prep Note – If using Delallo pizza dough, following the directions on the package to make one 9-12 inch pizza and allow 45 minutes for the dough to rise before starting the recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray lightly with non-stick spray.
- Prepare the pizza dough according to package or recipe instructions. Once ready, divide the dough into two equal balls for easier rolling.
- On a floured surface, roll each pizza dough ball into a long rectangle. Cut the dough into 30 squares, each approximately 2 inches wide.
- Place a piece of diced mozzarella in the center of each dough square, then gather and pinch the edges together to form a ball. Gently roll the ball between your hands to smooth and seal. Place the seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Arrange the dough balls in the shape of a Christmas tree, starting with 7 balls at the base, then 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and finishing with 1 at the top and 2 to 4 at the bottom for the trunk (trunk is optional)
- Brush the dough balls with egg wash for a golden finish (optional) then bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dough balls are golden brown. Note – Depending on the type of gluten-free pizza dough used, baking times may vary. Check for doneness at 15 minutes, though it may require longer.
- While baking, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, ⅓ cup of the Parmesan, and herbs to create the topping.
- Brush the baked tree bread with the prepared topping. Decorate (garnish) the “tree” with dollops of marinara sauce or pizza sauce,chopped fresh parsley, the remaining parmesan, and optional sea salt.
- Serve right away warm with extra sauce on the side for dipping. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
Substitutes Tips – For a quick parmesan herb topping, use DeLallo pesto, warmed. Provolone cheese may be substituted for the mozzarella, if desired.
Serving Tip – As the Christmas tree bread cools, it may harden slightly. To refresh it, simply add more topping (like melted butter or garlic butter) and reheat in the oven until warmed through and softened.
Recipe Note – Not all gluten-free pizza dough mixes are created equal for this recipe! We tested King Arthur’s mix, but found it too wet to work with—it didn’t hold up for shaping or rolling. For best results, you need a pizza dough mix that’s not tacky or sticky and can be easily rolled into a ball. This is why we use Delallo’s Gluten-Free Pizza Dough Mix—it’s incredibly versatile.
Freezing Tips Pizza Dough – Shape the dough into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Freezing in ball form works best with dough that’s not overly tacky. To thaw, move the frozen dough ball to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, let the dough rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before shaping and using.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: appetizer
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza ball bread
- Calories: 79
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 211 mg
- Fat: 4.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 19.6 mg
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