If you’re craving ultra-cheesy, bakery-quality bread but want to skip the arm workout, this Cheese Bread (No Knead!) will make you ridiculously happy. It delivers a golden, crusty artisan loaf bursting with pockets of melty cheese—and all you have to do is stir, fold, and bake! Trust me, your kitchen is about to smell amazing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Magic: You can truly “set it and forget it”—no kneading, no stress, just a little mixing and some cheese tucking.
- Show-Stopping Cheese Factor: With cheese both inside and on top, every slice is dreamy and gooey, while the crust is gorgeously golden and crunchy.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Serve Cheese Bread (No Knead!) with soup, at brunch, or just by itself for the best snack ever.
- Beginner-Friendly: Even if you’ve never baked bread before, this recipe is approachable and practically foolproof.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Cheese Bread (No Knead!) lies in a handful of humble ingredients that transform into something truly special. Each element brings flavor, texture, or that irresistible cheesy pull—so let’s take a peek at what makes this loaf so crave-worthy.
- Bread Flour: Gives your loaf a beautiful chewy texture, just like the best bakery artisan bread.
- Instant Yeast: The shortcut hero—mixes directly with dry ingredients for a speedy rise, zero blooming required.
- Cooking or Kosher Salt: Not just for flavor—essential for that well-balanced, savory bite that highlights the cheese.
- Very Warm Tap Water: The right temperature helps your bread rise perfectly and gives it an airy crumb.
- Colby Cheese (or cheese of your choice): Melty, rich, and wonderfully gooey—Colby adds just the right melt and moisture without getting greasy, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère are fantastic, too.
Variations
Cheese Bread (No Knead!) is one of the most flexible breads you’ll ever bake. Feel free to play around with cheeses and flavors—this is the perfect base for getting creative and suiting it to your mood or whatever’s in your fridge.
- Garlic & Herb Cheese Bread: Add a teaspoon of garlic powder and your favorite dried herbs to the flour for a savory, aromatic twist.
- Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Bread: Fold in some chopped pickled or fresh jalapeños along with the cheese for a kick of heat.
- Mix-the-Cheeses: Use a combination of cheddar, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack for layers of flavor in every bite.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute a high-quality gluten-free bread flour blend 1:1 for a bread everyone can enjoy.
How to Make Cheese Bread (No Knead!)
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a big mixing bowl, stir together the bread flour, instant yeast, and salt. Pour in the very warm tap water and, using the end of a spatula, mix everything until you get a shaggy, sticky dough. Don’t worry if it looks honestly a little messy—no kneading means a very loose, sticky dough is exactly what you want!
Step 2: Let It Rise, No Kneading Required!
Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it hang out in a warm spot for 2–3 hours. You’ll know your dough is ready when it’s doubled in size, has a golden bubbly surface, and jiggles if you gently shake the bowl. The anticipation is real, but trust me—it’s worth it!
Step 3: Preheat Your Pot and Prep the Dough
About 30 minutes before the dough’s done rising, pop your heavy Dutch oven (or a sturdy lidded pot) into the oven and preheat to 240°C/450°F. Meanwhile, dust your countertop generously with flour and gently scrape the dough out. Sprinkle it with a bit of flour and pat into a rough 8-inch disc—it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Step 4: Stuff with Cheese and Shape
Reserve a third of your shredded cheese for topping later, then spread half the rest over your dough. Fold the sides inward four times, tucking more cheese between the folds. Flip the whole dough onto a piece of parchment paper so the seam is underneath. Tidy up the shape if you like, then pile your reserved cheese high on top—this is key for that “cheese crown.”
Step 5: Bake and Enjoy the Magic
Carefully transfer the dough (on its parchment) into the hot pot—this can feel like a circus trick, just go quickly and confidently! Cover and bake for 35 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 10 minutes so the cheese turns gloriously golden. Let your masterpiece cool on a rack at least 10 minutes before diving in; this wait helps set the crumb perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Cheese Bread (No Knead!)
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Grating your own cheese ensures the cheese melts evenly into the loaf and keeps the texture fabulously light—store-bought shreds can weigh the dough down due to anti-caking agents.
- Warm Spot Rising Trick: If your kitchen is chilly, try rising your dough in a turned-off dryer (yep!) that’s still warm—this creates the perfect draft-free environment for great lift and those signature cheese bread bubbles.
- Don’t Stress Shaping: The Dutch oven shapes your loaf for you in the oven, so even if your dough looks rustic or uneven, it’ll bake up beautifully!
- Steam for Crust Without a Dutch Oven: No heavy pot? Add a pan of boiling water underneath your baking tray in the oven—this mimics the iconic artisan crust.
How to Serve Cheese Bread (No Knead!)
Garnishes
This cheese bread is already a bit of a star, but a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives, parsley, or a dusting of extra grated Parmesan over the top makes it look bakery-perfect. For a rustic finish, a tiny flake of sea salt right after baking takes each cheesy bite to a new level.
Side Dishes
Cheese Bread (No Knead!) is wonderful alongside creamy tomato soup, dunked into hearty chili, or next to a crisp green salad. It’s also fabulous with eggs at brunch, or partnered with a charcuterie board for a cozy gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice thick and fan out on a wooden board with little bowls of flavored butters or olive oil for dipping. For parties, cube the bread and serve it fondue-style—guests will go wild over those gooey, cheese-stuffed bites!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The bread is at its peak the day you make it, but leftovers keep beautifully at room temperature in a bread bag or airtight container for 24–36 hours. After that, slices can be toasted and slathered with butter—truly irresistible.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap slices (or the whole loaf) tightly in plastic wrap and pop into a freezer bag or airtight container. Cheese Bread (No Knead!) will keep in the freezer for up to two months and revives deliciously in the toaster or oven.
Reheating
Gently warm slices in the oven at 350°F/175°C for five to eight minutes, or use a toaster for single slices. You can even pop individual pieces under the broiler for a minute or two to re-crisp the cheesy crust!
FAQs
-
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Absolutely! All-purpose flour works well in this recipe and will still give you wonderful, soft cheese bread. Bread flour simply delivers a chewier texture, while all-purpose brings a softer crumb—so use whichever you have on hand.
-
What kind of cheese is best for Cheese Bread (No Knead!)?
Colby, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère are all fantastic choices because they melt smoothly and pack flavor. Avoid too much mozzarella, as it doesn’t add much taste, but feel free to mix different cheeses for a fun flavor twist!
-
Do I really need a Dutch oven to bake this bread?
While a Dutch oven creates that iconic artisan crust, you can mimic the effect using a heavy pan and a tray of boiling water in your oven—just make sure you use a metal (not glass) pan for the water. Your cheese bread will still rise and crisp beautifully!
-
Can I make the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight?
A longer, slow rise in the fridge works beautifully with many no-knead breads. While Cheese Bread (No Knead!) has not been 100% tested overnight due to its high cheese content, you can try refrigerating the dough after mixing for enhanced flavor—just allow it to come back to room temp before shaping and baking.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, once you realize how easy (and wildly delicious) this Cheese Bread (No Knead!) is, you’ll find any excuse to bake it again and again. I can’t wait for you to pull your own golden, cheesy loaf from the oven—don’t forget to savor that first warm, gooey bite!
Print
Cheese Bread (No Knead!) Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cheese Bread recipe creates a delicious loaf filled with gooey cheese, perfect for sharing with family and friends. The no-knead method makes it easy to prepare, and the result is a crusty, flavorful bread that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups very warm tap water
Cheese Filling:
- 2 1/2 cups Colby cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, salt, and yeast. Add water and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Rise: Let the dough double in size over 2-3 hours.
- Preheat pot: Heat a heavy-based pot in the oven.
- Shape loaf: Pat dough into a disc, add cheese, fold, and transfer to a parchment-lined pot.
- Bake: Bake covered, then uncovered, until golden brown.
- Cool: Rest before slicing and enjoying!
Notes
- Bread flour gives a chewier texture.
- Instant yeast can be mixed directly into dry ingredients.
- Water should be warm but not hot.
- Freshly shredded cheese is recommended for better meltability.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
