This Three Cheese Braid is packed with three melted cheeses, wrapped in homemade pizza dough, baked until golden, and finished with a buttery garlic topping.
Save this easy cheese braid recipe for later.
This Three Cheese Braid is one of those irresistible homemade appetizers that can easily turn into the main event. It is warm, cheesy, buttery, and full of garlic flavor, with a golden pizza dough crust wrapped around a rich filling of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. If you love cheesy bread, stuffed pizza, or garlic bread, this recipe brings all of those comforting flavors together in one beautiful braided loaf.
The best part is the texture. The outside bakes up golden and slightly crisp, while the inside stays soft, hot, and wonderfully gooey. Mozzarella gives the filling that classic stretchy cheese pull, cheddar adds a deeper flavor, and Parmesan brings a salty, savory finish. A little mayonnaise helps bind everything together and keeps the filling creamy as it bakes. Garlic, basil, and oregano give it that familiar pizza-inspired flavor without making the recipe complicated.
This cheese braid is especially good served warm with pizza sauce for dipping. It makes a great appetizer for parties, game day, family movie night, or casual dinners. You can also serve it alongside soup, salad, pasta, or a simple weeknight meal. It looks impressive on the table, but the process is much easier than it appears. The braid does not need to be perfect; once it bakes, the rustic shape looks homemade in the best way.
Although this recipe uses homemade pizza dough, do not let that make the recipe feel intimidating. The dough can be prepared ahead of time, which makes assembly much faster when you are ready to bake. You can also make the pizza sauce ahead if you plan to serve it as a dip. Having those components ready turns this into a simple fill, braid, bake, and serve recipe.
This Three Cheese Braid can also be baked in advance if needed. Once completely cooled, wrap it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months. To serve after freezing, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it briefly in the oven until the cheese melts again. While it is always best freshly baked, this make-ahead option is helpful when you are preparing food for guests or trying to save time.
For the freshest make-ahead result, prepare the pizza dough ahead and refrigerate or freeze it according to your dough recipe instructions. When you are ready to assemble the braid, let the dough come to room temperature, roll it out, add the cheese filling, braid, and bake. This gives you the convenience of advance prep while still delivering a freshly baked cheese braid with a soft crust and melted center.
If you are new to braiding dough, the method is simple. After placing the cheese filling down the center of the rolled dough, cut strips along both sides. Fold the ends over the filling, then alternate strips from each side over the center. The strips overlap and create a braided look as they seal in the filling. It does not have to look bakery-perfect to taste amazing. A rustic braid is part of the charm, and once the garlic butter is brushed over the top, it becomes beautifully golden and inviting.
Three Cheese Braid
Countryside Cravings
1 hr 30 mins
20 mins
1 hr 50 mins
Ingredients
- 1 recipe homemade pizza dough
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- TOPPING:
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
Instructions
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Prepare the pizza dough through step 3 of your dough recipe. Punch the dough down, then transfer it to a lightly floured or lightly oiled work surface. Roll it into a 15×11-inch rectangle and place it on a lightly greased large baking sheet.
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In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, mayonnaise, minced garlic, basil, and oregano. Spoon the cheese filling down the center of the dough rectangle, leaving space at both ends so the dough can be folded over the filling.
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Using a sharp knife, cut 1-inch strips along both sides of the filling. Fold each end of the dough over the filling first. To braid, cross one strip over the filling, then cross a strip from the opposite side over it. Continue alternating strips until the filling is covered. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and let the braid rest for 5 to 10 minutes before baking.
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Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the braid is golden brown. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic powder or minced garlic, and parsley. Brush the garlic butter over the warm braid. Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, preferably with pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
Recipes for the pizza crust and pizza sauce can be found on the Countryside Cravings website.
To make ahead: Bake the braid as directed, then let it cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the oven until the cheese inside melts again.
Another make-ahead option: Follow the refrigerating or freezing instructions for the homemade pizza dough. Let the dough come to room temperature before assembling and baking the Three Cheese Braid.
Use the photos below as a visual guide for braiding the dough.
