There’s something so comforting about the smell of fresh-baked bread, especially when it’s bursting with flavor. This Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe is exactly that—moist, fluffy, and packed with cheesy ribbons and fragrant herbs that make every bite a delight. I promise, this one’s a keeper for busy days or when you want a simple but impressive snack.

The image shows a loaf of herb and cheese bread sliced into about seven thick pieces. The bread has a golden brown crust with visible melted, slightly browned cheese layers on top, mixed with green herbs scattered throughout each slice. The inside of the bread is light yellow with specks of herbs and a soft, airy texture. The slices rest on a white marbled surface, and to the left side, there is a small clear glass bowl with a green herb sauce or pesto. Some green herbs are also placed on the background around the bread. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe countless times, and every time it comes out perfectly moist with just the right amount of cheesy goodness and herbal freshness. It’s ridiculously easy to pull together and always impresses guests or family without needing much fuss.

Quick to make: Unlike yeast breads that take hours, this quick bread comes together in about an hour total, including baking.
Flavor-packed: The combo of fresh rosemary, parsley, and garlic with cheddar cheese creates an irresistible savory punch.
Versatile: Use it for breakfast, a side with soup, or as an on-the-go snack—it’s surprisingly adaptable.
Beautiful swirls and ribbons: The way the cheese and herbs twist through the bread looks stunning and tastes even better.

The image shows a baked loaf with a golden-brown crust that has deep, browned lines running lengthwise, revealing layers of green herb filling and melted cheese inside. The top is glossy with a firm texture, and the herb filling appears finely chopped and mixed, with a fresh rosemary sprig placed on top for garnish. The loaf sits in a silver metal baking tray lined with white parchment paper, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right ingredients really makes a difference in this Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe. The balance of the cheese’s saltiness, fresh herbs, and subtle tang from the yogurt creates that perfect moist texture and flavor complexity that you’ll want to recreate again and again.

Flat lay of a block of orange cheddar cheese cut into thin random-width slices, two garlic cloves with papery skin, fresh rosemary sprigs with needle-like green leaves, fresh parsley leaves bright and leafy, small handful of dried oregano leaves, small pile of dried thyme leaves, three small white ceramic bowls containing golden extra virgin olive oil, creamy plain Greek yogurt, and full-fat milk, a small white ceramic bowl with fine kosher salt, smooth white ceramic bowl holding two whole uncracked brown eggs, a mound of plain all-purpose flour, a small heap of baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl with melted unsalted butter glowing yellow, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cheese: I love using a block of cheddar or tasty cheese sliced into thin ribbons for a great "cheesy streak" effect, but shredded works too if you’re short on time.
Fresh herbs: Rosemary and parsley bring a fresh, earthy vibrancy, while dried oregano and thyme round out the flavor with a subtle depth.
Garlic: Two forms here—crushed and grated—which both add a nice pungency without overpowering the bread.
Plain flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly, providing structure without heaviness.
Baking soda: This quick bread lifts beautifully with baking soda, ensuring a soft crumb and a nice rise.
Plain yogurt: Adds moisture and a hint of tang that makes the bread tender.
Milk and eggs: Combine to give richness and help bind everything together.
Butter and olive oil: Fat content here adds flavor and keeps the bread wonderfully moist.
Salt: Essential to enhance the overall flavors without being too salty.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts of this Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap in different herbs depending on what I have fresh or craving—sometimes basil or thyme takes the lead! And you can even try mixing in some sun-dried tomatoes or olives for a Mediterranean twist.

Variation: I once added spicy chili flakes with the herbs for a subtle kick that my family adored. It’s a fun way to shake things up if you have adventurous eaters.
Dairy-free option: Using a plant-based yogurt and vegan cheese works surprisingly well if you need a dairy-free loaf.
Herb pesto twist: Swap the chopped herbs for about ⅓ cup of your favorite pesto for a different flavor profile that’s just as delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep and preheat with care

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease your 21 x 11 x 7 cm loaf pan lightly with butter or oil spray, then line it with parchment paper. This make sure the bread releases easily and keeps its shape nicely. I always double-check my oven temperature because an oven that’s too hot or cool can affect the baking time and texture.

Step 2: Make your herb and garlic swirl

Take the fresh rosemary, parsley, dried oregano, thyme, crushed garlic, olive oil, and salt, and mix them into a thick, dollop-able mixture in a small bowl. This herb and garlic swirl is what creates those beautiful ribbons of flavour inside the bread, so don’t skip this step!

Step 3: Mix dry and wet ingredients separately

Whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and salt in one bowl. In another, whisk the yogurt, milk, eggs, melted butter, olive oil, and the extra crushed garlic. Keeping these separate helps you not over-mix when you combine later!

Step 4: Combine and layer with cheese and herbs

Make a well in your dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined – a few lumps are okay! Pour one-third of the batter into the loaf pan, dollop one-third of the herb mixture on top, and swirl it gently using a knife. Then add one-third of the cheese slices throughout the layer, pushing some into the batter and leaving some poking out. Repeat this layering two more times.

Step 5: Bake to golden, then cover and finish

Bake for 30 minutes until the top turns beautifully golden. Then, cover the bread with foil to prevent over-browning, and bake a further 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing thick, satisfying pieces.

Top Tip

After making this Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make it foolproof and extra tasty for you!

Cheese thickness: Cutting the cheese into varied widths (some wider, some thinner) helps create those lovely cheesy ribbons that peek through the loaf—it makes the bread look as good as it tastes.
Don’t overmix: Stir the batter just until combined; overmixing leads to dense bread. A few lumps are perfect.
Swirling technique: Use a butter knife to drag the herb mixture gently into the batter in up-and-down and turning motions. This creates those delicate layers rather than mixing everything flat.
Check your baking time: Every oven is a bit different. If your loaf gets too brown early, loosely cover with foil. That keeps it pretty without burning.

How to Serve Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe

Garnishes

I love to serve this bread with a little extra cracked black pepper and a pat of butter that melts right over the warm slices. Sometimes, I sprinkle a few fresh parsley leaves or even a tiny drizzle of good-quality olive oil for an extra touch.

Side Dishes

This cheddar and herb quick bread pairs beautifully with soups like tomato basil, creamy pumpkin, or even a light garden salad. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside roasted veggies or charcuterie boards for a cozy appetizer spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch or a party, I’ve cut the bread into bite-sized cubes and served with flavored butters or herb-infused olive oil dips — it’s a crowd-pleaser every time. Wrapping slices in parchment paper tied with twine makes a charming homemade gift as well.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover quick bread wrapped in foil inside an airtight container at room temperature—it stays fresh for about four days. After that, I pop it in the fridge and toast slices when ready to serve to revive that fresh-out-of-the-oven texture.

Freezing

This bread freezes wonderfully. I slice it first, place parchment between slices, and store in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a slice, just toast or warm it gently from frozen for a quick snack any time.

Reheating

To reheat, I like using a toaster for single slices or an oven at 160°C (320°F) wrapped in foil for a few minutes if I’m warming several slices. This keeps the bread moist and brings back that lovely crust without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of cheese in the Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe?

Absolutely! Cheddar, tasty, or colby cheeses work best for their flavor and saltiness, but avoid mozzarella since it’s mild and doesn’t add enough flavor here. You can mix types too for fun variation.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs on hand?

If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can substitute with about 1 tablespoon of dried mixed herbs. The flavor will be a little different but still delicious. You could also try using ⅓ to ½ cup of pesto instead of the herb mixture for a tasty alternative.

Can I make this bread vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! To make a dairy-free or vegan version of this Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe, use plant-based yogurt, vegan cheese, and substitute the butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative. The bread might have a slightly different texture but still tastes great.

How do I know when the quick bread is fully baked?

Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. If batter sticks, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking regularly as ovens vary. Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly.

Final Thoughts

This Cheese and Herb Quick Bread Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the perfect combination of comforting and flavorful while being so quick to whip up. I love how it fills the house with that garlicky, herbaceous aroma, and how each slice gives you those gooey cheese bursts. I really can’t recommend it enough—give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll be making it again and again, just like I do!