This savory Bacon Bread is the perfect side for any dinner. No kneading, no rising, just quick & easy with plenty of cheese and bacon & just the right amount of heat!
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Recipes for Bacon Lovers
If you're a bacon fan, indulging in recipes with bacon is a no-brainer. The delicious smoky flavor of bacon, its crisp texture, and its salty edge elevate any recipe to new heights. And brunch recipes with bacon shine a spotlight on this incredibly addictive ingredient.
From hearty breakfast dishes like Bacon Cheddar Scones, where everyone's favorite biscuits are filled with cheddar cheese and smoky bacon to Bacon Frittatas, where crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked eggs come together in creamy goodness. And a brunch wouldn't be complete without the perfect Bloody Mary with Bacon, perfectly candied for a sweet crunchy garnish. Believe me, these not-to-be-missed recipes will satisfy your bacon cravings with every bite.
Why You'll Love This Bacon Cheese Bread
Irresistible Flavor: This Bacon Loaf offers a heavenly combination of smoky, savory bacon and creamy and melted cheese. What could be better?!
Easy Quick Bread: There is no yeast, no kneading or rising required for this easy mix-and-bake bread.
Comfort Food: at its best! A warm, cheesy, satisfying treat that is perfect for a cozy meal or a comforting snack.
Versatility: Simple to change up and substitute different flavor combinations - see the Recipe Variations section below.
Crowd Pleaser: Bacon cheese bread is always a hit. Serve it as an appetizer for casual get-togethers, potlucks, or a side for family dinners.
Delicious Taste: The perfect balance of heat and savoryness. The heat comes from jalapeno pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper while the richness comes from buttermilk and cheese. And what could be better than the addition of bacon - after all, everything is better with bacon in it!
Ingredients
- Bacon
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Cayenne pepper - adapt the quantity for the amount of heat you prefer
- Salt
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Extra light olive oil
- Cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Green onions
- Jalapeno pepper
- Fresh thyme - or opt for dried thyme, about ¾ teaspoon
How to Make Bacon Bread
- Before mixing the bread batter, fry the bacon in a skillet until it is crisp and brown. Drain on a paper towel. Crumble when cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs then pour in buttermilk and olive oil.
- Whisk together.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.
- Mix just until combined.
- Fold the cheeses, crumbled bacon, chopped green onion, minced jalapeno pepper, and fresh thyme into the bread batter.
- Again, mix until just combined. The bread mixture will be thick.
- Spoon into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with an oil spray and the bottom lined with parchment paper.
- Baked the bread for 45 minutes at 350°F or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool for 10 minutes then turn the bacon cheese bread out onto a wooden board and slice. Serve warm with butter for dinner or snitch some for a hearty snack.
Recipe Tips
- Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh jalapenos and good-quality cheddar can really elevate the taste of your bread.
- If you want to keep the spiciness at a moderate level, deseed the jalapenos before chopping them. The seeds and membranes are where most of the heat is.
- Make sure your bacon is cooked crispy before adding it to your mixture. This will ensure that your bread has those delightful crunchy bits of bacon and prevents it from getting soggy.
- Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can impact how well it melts into the bread. Grate your own cheese for a smoother, meltier result.
- Overmixing the batter can result in dense and tough bread. Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
- Use a toothpick or a skewer inserted into the center of the bread to check for doneness. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it, the bread is done.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack to cool completely. This makes it easier to slice and enhances the flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Cheese - Substitute cheddar with Gouda, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Swiss
- Onion - Substitute green onion with ¼ cup of diced onions, either raw or sauteed.
- Jalapeno - Don't want the spicy heat? Substitute it with ¼ cup of diced bell pepper.
- Olive - Substitute the jalapeno pepper with up to ½ cup of kalamata or black olives.
- Zucchini - add up to 1 cup of shredded zucchini.
What to Serve with Bacon Bread
Butter, honey butter, and whipped cream cheese are great spreads to serve with this jalapeno bacon cheese bread. Some dishes it pairs well with are:
- Breakfast - Eggs, Omelete, or a Breakfast Casserole
- Charcuterie Board
- Chili - Regular Chili or White Chicken Chili
- Tomato Basil Soup
How to Store, Freeze, and Warm Leftovers
Storing: Allow the bread to cool completely. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Because of the meat and cheese in the bread, it should be stored in the refrigerator. It will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezing: Allow the bread to cool completely. Slice the bread and wrap each slice in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Warming: You can warm the bread slices in several ways:
- Toaster - Toast it as you would regular bread.
- Oven - Place the slices on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until it's warmed through.
- Pan Fry - Melt some bacon grease or butter in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Fry the bread for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and warmed.
More Savory Quick Bread Recipes
Love this savory flavor combo? Try my Bacon Cheddar Scones with spinach to enjoy for breakfast.
Find lots of easy bread recipes right here on 2CM!
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Bacon Cheese Bread
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup extra light olive oil
- 6 oz. cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 ⅓ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 6 green onion stalks, chopped fine
- 1 jalapeno pepper, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced (or ¾ teaspoon dried thyme)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick oil spray and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Spray again.
- In a medium skillet, fry the bacon until crisp and brown. Remove and set on a paper towel to drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper & salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs then add buttermilk and olive oil. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir until just. combined.
- Fold in the cheeses, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, minced jalapeno pepper, and fresh thyme into the bread batter. Batter will be thick.
- Pour into prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and make sure to push it into all the corners.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes then invert onto a wire rack and let cool completely.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and more useful information. It was first published on March 16, 2016.
