If you love warm, homemade bread but don’t want to wait for yeast to rise, this Cheesy Herb Quick Bread is the perfect recipe to try. It’s soft and tender inside, lightly crisp around the edges, and packed with melted cheese and fragrant herbs.
This easy bread comes together with simple pantry ingredients and requires no yeast or lengthy kneading. Serve it alongside soups, pasta, roasted chicken, grilled meats, or enjoy a warm slice with a little butter.
Ingredients
For the Quick Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
For the Garlic Herb Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make Cheesy Herb Quick Bread
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang to make removing the bread easier.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, and garlic powder.
Mix well so the leavening agents and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
3. Add the Cheese and Herbs
Add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and chopped parsley to the dry ingredients.
Toss everything together until the cheese is lightly coated with flour. This helps prevent the cheese from sinking toward the bottom of the loaf while baking.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and honey or sugar.
Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before adding it to the eggs.
5. Combine the Mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
Gently fold everything together with a spatula until just combined.
Don’t overmix the batter. A few small streaks of flour are fine. Overmixing can make the finished bread dense instead of soft and tender.
6. Fill the Loaf Pan
Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.
Spread the top evenly with a spatula.
For an extra cheesy crust, sprinkle a little additional shredded cheddar or Parmesan over the top before baking.
7. Bake
Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the final part of baking.
8. Make the Herb Butter
While the bread is baking, combine the melted butter, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese.
As soon as the bread comes out of the oven, brush the warm top generously with the herb butter.
9. Cool Before Slicing
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes.
Remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack.
Let it cool for another 10–15 minutes before slicing. This gives the cheese and crumb time to set.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Herb Bread
Don’t overmix: Quick breads become tough when the batter is mixed too much. Fold just until the ingredients come together.
Use freshly shredded cheese: Freshly grated cheese generally melts more smoothly than some pre-shredded varieties.
Don’t skip the buttermilk: Its acidity works with the baking soda to help create a tender texture.
Check the center: Baking times can vary between ovens and loaf pans. The center should be fully baked before removing the loaf.
Let it rest: Cutting the bread immediately can cause the warm cheese and crumb to seem gummy.
Add cheese on top: A little extra cheese before baking creates a delicious golden crust.
Best Cheese Options
Cheddar gives this bread a sharp, savory flavor, while mozzarella adds extra stretchiness.
You can also experiment with:
- Monterey Jack
- Colby Jack
- Gruyère
- Pepper Jack
- Gouda
- Parmesan
- Provolone
For the best flavor, try combining one strongly flavored cheese with one good melting cheese.
Easy Herb Variations
You can easily change the flavor by using different herbs.
Garlic and Rosemary
Add finely chopped fresh rosemary along with the garlic powder.
Cheddar and Chive
Replace the oregano with chopped fresh chives and add extra cheddar.
Italian Herb
Use basil, oregano, parsley, and Italian seasoning.
Jalapeño Cheddar
Add finely diced fresh or pickled jalapeños for a spicy version.
Parmesan Herb
Increase the Parmesan and add fresh parsley, basil, and oregano.
How to Serve Cheesy Herb Quick Bread
This bread is incredibly versatile and works with many meals.
Serve warm slices alongside:
- Tomato soup
- Creamy chicken soup
- Beef stew
- Pasta
- Spaghetti
- Grilled chicken
- Roast beef
- Baked chicken
- Chili
- Garden salad
- Roasted vegetables
It’s also delicious toasted and served with butter.
How to Store It
Allow the bread to cool completely before storing.
Keep it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly and store at room temperature for about 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate it for several days or freeze individual slices for convenient serving.
How to Reheat
For the best texture, warm slices in a toaster oven or conventional oven.
You can also microwave a slice for approximately 15–20 seconds, although the crust will be softer.
If reheating from frozen, allow the slice to thaw slightly before warming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this bread without buttermilk?
Yes. If you don’t have buttermilk, combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it stand for about 5 minutes before using.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can replace part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Start by replacing about ½ cup to maintain a relatively tender texture.
Can I add cooked bacon?
Absolutely. Cooked, crumbled bacon makes an excellent addition. About ½ cup is enough to add plenty of savory flavor.
Why did my bread turn out dense?
The most common reason is overmixing. Quick bread batter should be mixed gently and only until the ingredients are combined.
Can I make muffins instead of a loaf?
Yes. Divide the batter among greased or lined muffin cups and reduce the baking time. Begin checking them around 18–22 minutes.
Can I freeze Cheesy Herb Quick Bread?
Yes. Slice the cooled bread, wrap the slices individually, and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw and reheat as needed.
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Herb Quick Bread is an easy way to enjoy homemade savory bread without yeast, proofing, or complicated bread-making techniques. The combination of sharp cheddar, creamy mozzarella, garlic, and fragrant herbs creates a flavorful loaf with a tender center and golden crust.
Serve it warm alongside your favorite soup or dinner, or simply toast a slice and enjoy it with butter. It’s an easy homemade side that can turn an everyday meal into something special.
SEO Details
SEO Title: Cheesy Herb Quick Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Savory Bread
Meta Description: Make this easy Cheesy Herb Quick Bread with cheddar, mozzarella, garlic, and herbs. No yeast or rising time required for this flavorful homemade bread.
Focus Keyword: cheesy herb quick bread
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Category: Bread Recipes
Tags: cheesy herb bread, quick bread, savory bread, cheese bread, garlic herb bread, easy bread recipe, homemade bread, no yeast bread