Italian Cheese and Herb Bread Recipe

Name: Italian Cheese and Herb Bread Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 190 min
Ingredients: 1⅓ cups (315mls) warm water; 2¼ teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast; 2 teaspoons honey; 3¼ cups (400 grams) bread flour; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 teaspoons salt; ½ cup (55 grams) Parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated; ⅓ cup (37 grams) Pecorino romano cheese, grated; 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano; 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (extra)

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There’s nothing like freshly baked bread and my Italian Cheese and Herb Bread ticks all the boxes!

This homemade treat is loaded with two varieties of Italian cheese, seasonings, and aromatic garlic. It’s ideal served alongside a hearty soup, a fresh salad, or simply enjoyed on its own!

Italian cheese and herb bread loaves piled up on a wire rack. — You can’t beat homemade bread!

If you know me well, you know I love bread! Take for example my Semolina Bread, Focaccia Genovese, or Pesto Bread. But this Italian Cheese and Herb Bread is another level of deliciousness!

These soft and tender homemade bread loaves are flavored with Parmesan cheese, Pecorino cheese, Italian herbs, and fragrant garlic. By following my simple steps and useful tips, even novice bakers can successfully recreate this delicious Italian treat at home.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Simple ingredients – my homemade cheese bread recipe is made using basic pantry ingredients that are staples of an Italian kitchen. You likely won’t have to pop to the shops to make this recipe!
Flavor combination – just like the classic Subway bread recipe, this homemade bread is loaded with familiar Italian seasonings and cheesy goodness!
Versatile – whether you’re making a delicious Italian sandwich, serving it alongside cheeses and deli meats, or as a side to your next pasta dish, this Italian Cheese and Herb Bread is a must-make.
Homemade satisfaction – there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread! While making this bread takes a few hours to prove, its delicious taste and texture are worth the effort.

For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients

Warm water: ensure it is just warm and not hot. If the water is too hot it will kill the yeast. It should be the same temperature as body temperature, so simply dip your fingers in to check (it should be neither hot nor cold).
Active dry yeast: you can easily purchase it at supermarkets and it is very easy to use. This yeast usually comes in premeasured sachets which is very convenient.
Honey: the sugars in honey give the yeast something to feed on and begin the rising.
Bread flour: available in most grocery stores. The higher gluten content in this flour creates a dough that is more elastic and produces a lighter, fluffier texture.
Olive oil: my preference is extra virgin olive oil, but you could easily use regular olive oil instead.
Salt: nothing fancy here but very important in bread recipes. Salt does a couple of jobs in bread making. It flavors the bread, improves the color of the crust, strengthens the gluten, and controls the yeast so don’t skip it!
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese: also known as Parmesan cheese. I prefer to buy a block and grate it as I need.
Pecorino romano cheese: as with the Parmesan, I prefer to buy a block and grate it as I need.
Dried oregano: for me, dried oregano is the quintessential Italian herb in this Italian Cheese and Herb Bread.
Dried thyme: works so well with the oregano.
Garlic powder: I love having this on hand for adding garlic flavor to recipes.

Instructions

Yeast proofing in a stainless steel bowl.

In the stand mixer bowl, stir warm water, active dry yeast, and honey. Allow to stand for approximately 10 minutes until frothy.

Adding salt to dough in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Use the stand mixer paddle to combine flour into water/yeast mixture until the dough forms. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Then add oil and salt and mix with dough hook until smooth.

Risen bread dough in a stainless steel bowl.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, shape it into a ball, cover it, and let it rise until doubled.

Place the dough on an oiled surface, stretch the far edge toward you, and fold it to the center. Rotate 90 degrees and repeat until a full rotation is done. Repeat another full rotation.

Flatten the dough into a rectangle, roll it up, and pinch the seam closed. Cover and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Sprinkling cheese and herb mixture on flattened bread dough.

Combine cheeses, herbs, and garlic. Divide dough into 4 pieces, flatten one piece, brush with oil, and sprinkle with cheese mixture.

Pinching edges of rolled up bread dough together.

Roll the dough tightly into a log, pinch to seal the seam, and place seam-side down. Repeat for each piece.

Sprinkling cheese and herb mixture on bread dough loaves.

Place the loaves on the parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and herbs. Let it rise until puffy and almost doubled in size.

In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400°F (200ºC). When the bread is rise, bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and fully cooked

Marcellina’s Hint: The dough will seem sticky but try not to add more flour. Fold as instructed in the recipe. Folding the dough will strengthen it and make it less sticky. Use oil on your fingers to stop the dough sticking.

Substitutions

Bread flour: You can substitute all-purpose flour in this recipe if you don’t have bread flour. The result will be slightly different but it will still be delicious.
Honey: A teaspoon of white sugar can be dissolved in warm water instead of honey.
Olive oil: You can use regular olive oil instead of extra virgin olive if that’s what you have.

Variations

Cheese: Why don’t you try adding another cheese to the mix? A little Monterey Jack cheese, Spanish manchego, or even mature cheddar make great additions!
Italian herb seasoning: Save yourself the trouble of buying individual herbs and garlic powder, use your favorite Italian herb seasoning to replace these.
Spicy: Love a little hit of warmth? Add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes to the cheese and herb mix.

Equipment

You can certainly make this recipe by hand, but I find it much easier with a stand mixer. If you’re using a stand mixer, be sure to use the dough hook.

If you plan on baking bread and pizza regularly, you really should invest in a dough scrapper. It is so useful (but not essential) for this recipe.

Storage

As with most bread recipes, this homemade Cheese and Herb Bread is best enjoyed fresh. Or better yet, still warm from the oven!

However, it will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container. If you plan on storing it longer than 2 days, wrap it in plastic wrap, pop it into a zip lock bag or airtight container, and store it in the freezer where it will keep for a month or so. When you want to enjoy it, simply thaw it at room temperature or reheat it in the oven.

Top tips

Take care not to use hot when activating the yeast. It should be warm, similar to body temperature.
When handling the dough, oil any surfaces it will touch and also your hands. This will help you work the dough while it’s a little sticky.
The dough will be a bit sticky but don’t panic. The folding will strengthen the bread and make it less sticky.
While the dough is rising, leave it in a warm spot in your kitchen or house. If your house is too cold, the dough will rise much slower but that will still work. In fact, a slower rise will impart more flavor to the bread.

FAQ

Is Italian herb and cheese bread healthy?

I am a big believer that everything in moderation is healthy. This homemade bread contains only good quality ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives. For this reason, I consider it a healthier alternative to any store-bought bread.

What is the most popular Italian bread?

There are so many popular Italian breads! One of the most popular would have to be a classic Focaccia Genovese which is soft on the inside, but perfectly crispy on the outside. But you certainly can’t pass up this cheesy bread which is loaded with classic Italian flavors.

What kind of breads do Italians eat for breakfast?

Italians generally enjoy a sweet breakfast, consisting of croissants, pastries, or cookies! However, this homemade bread would make a delicious breakfast sandwich when stuffed with fresh provolone and slices of prosciutto.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve a loaf of my Italian Cheese and Herb Bread alongside my Mediterranean Lentil Soup or my Instant Pot Bean Soup. It also makes a delicious Italian sandwich when stuffed with one of my Italian Chicken Cutlets and fresh arugula leaves.

Made this recipe?
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