Name: Italian Dunkers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients: 5-6 tablespoons butter, softened (regular or plant-based); 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped; 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped; 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped; 1 teaspoon garlic, minced; pinch of kosher salt; 8 hot dog buns; 8oz block of mozzarella cheese, shredded; marinara sauce for dunking

Published on 03/07/25

by Erin Jensen

It is time to bring back this childhood favorite recipe – Italian Dunkers! This classic school lunch is fully of flavor and cheesy goodness. Our whole family loves this super simple weeknight dinner!

The best recipe for classic Italian dunkers.

The Best Italian Dunkers

For years, we enjoyed the best cheese dunkers school lunch during our elementary school days! How they are made has quickly become a hot debate around here – hot dog buns vs. large loaf of Italian bread. How did you grow-up eating these traditional dunkers? If you also have fond memories of this favorite hot lunch, we have included both versions in the recipe card below. Just be sure to enjoy with a marinara dipping sauce!

Looking for More Family Friendly Recipes?

Then you definitely need to try our Pizza Pot Pie!

What You Will Need

unsalted butter – option to swap out with plant-based butter, just make sure it is nice and soft.
fresh thyme, oregano, & rosemary – fresh herbs that bring so much great flavor!
fresh garlic – everything is always better with some garlic in the mix.
kosher salt – a simple seasoning that is always a must.
hot dog buns – just pick-up a pack from your local grocery store!
shredded cheese – we used mozzarella cheese, but you could also mix in some parmesan cheese.
marinara sauce – love our easy pasta sauce or keep it simple with a store-bought version!

How To Make Italian Dunkers

The first steps to making this easy recipe are to gather all of the ingredients and decide which bread option you will make.

Two images showing the ingredients for Italian dunkers.

Put all of the Herby Garlic Butter ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine. Separate all of the hot dog buns and spread this butter mixture on top. Place these buttered buns on a baking sheet. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each one.

Two images showing the separated hot dog buns on a baking sheet with the garlic butter on top and then with cheese on top of that.

Move the entire cookie sheet to the oven to bake under the broiler on the high setting for 3-5 minutes.

Perfectly browned Italian dunkers on a white plate with a side of marinara sauce.

Can I Use Another Bread for Italian Dunkers?

Absolutely! We grew-up with the classic hot dog bun version, but some people are used to slices of a long loaf of bread. The notes section of the recipe card also includes this version. Simply cut a large loaf of french bread in half, lengthwise, spread the garlic butter on, add the cheese, and broil in the oven. Cut into thick slices and dunk!

Two images showing Italian dunkers made with a large loaf of Italian bread and then being dunked in sauce.

Best Ways To Serve Italian Dunkers

When serving cheesy Italian Dunkers they must be enjoyed with a dipping sauce. Dunk is in the name after all! Option to enjoy with a simple marinara sauce or brown ground beef to make a delicious meat sauce. They could also be enjoyed as a type of garlic bread with any pasta or soup recipe!

Made these Italian dunkers with meat sauce and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!

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