Cheese, Garlic, and Herb No-Yeast Quick Bread Recipe
This Cheese, Garlic and Herb Quick Bread is a flavorful no-yeast bread that combines fresh herbs, garlic, and cheese swirled into a tender loaf. Perfect for a savory snack or accompaniment to meals, this quick bread uses baking soda for leavening, making it fast and easy to prepare. With its golden crust and cheesy-herb swirls, it’s a delicious and aromatic bread that requires no rising time.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cheese and Herb Mixture
- 7 oz / 200g block of cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed using garlic press or finely grated
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for fine table salt)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 1 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate soda, substitute 3 1/2 tsp baking powder)
- 3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (Greek or regular, full fat, unsweetened)
- 3/4 cup milk (full fat preferred, low fat acceptable)
- 2 large eggs (~50-55g/2oz each)
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter, melted
Garlic Oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 small garlic cloves, crushed with garlic crusher or grated
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), suitable for both fan and standard ovens to ensure even baking.
- Prepare Loaf Tin: Lightly grease a 21 x 11 x 7 cm (8.3 x 4.5 x 2.75 inch) loaf pan with butter or oil spray, then line it with baking paper (parchment paper) to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Make Herb and Garlic Swirl: In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the herb and garlic mixture until you achieve a thick, dollop-able consistency perfect for swirling into the batter.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and salt evenly to distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, milk, eggs, and melted butter until fully combined and smooth for a uniform batter texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Gently mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Layer Batter and Herbs – Layer 1: Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Drop one-third of the herb and garlic mixture as dollops over the batter, then use a knife to swirl it throughout by moving up, down, and turning the batter over. Add one-third of the sliced cheese pieces by pushing some fully into the batter and leaving some partially exposed.
- Repeat Layers 2 and 3: Repeat the layering process twice more with the remaining batter, herb mixture, and cheese slices. Don’t worry if some herb mixture and cheese slices are visible on the surface; this will create an appealing look after baking.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the top turns golden brown. Then cover the bread loosely with foil to prevent overbrowning and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes (total baking time 50 minutes). Check doneness by inserting a skewer in the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the loaf tin for 5 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack. Allow it to cool at least another 10 minutes before slicing thickly. Serve with butter if desired for extra richness.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if fresh aren’t available.
- For a different flavor profile, feel free to use different semi-hard cheeses like cheddar or gouda.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread texture light and fluffy.
- The garlic oil adds an extra layer of garlic aroma; don’t substitute or skip for best results.
- Check the bread’s doneness by inserting a skewer or toothpick into the center; it should come out clean without wet batter.
- You can halve the salt amount if using fine table salt instead of kosher salt.
- The bread is best eaten fresh but can be stored wrapped in foil or airtight container for up to 2 days.
Keywords: cheese bread, garlic bread, quick bread, herb bread, no yeast bread, rosemary bread, savory bread