There’s something truly irresistible about warm, cheesy bread bursting with garlic and fresh herbs. This Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe combines all those flavors into a quick bread that’s perfect for any occasion – your kitchen will smell amazing, and your guests will definitely ask for seconds.

The image shows a sliced loaf of savory herb bread on a white marbled surface. The bread has a golden-brown crust with visible ridges and a slightly shiny texture. The inside layers are light beige with green herb bits evenly spread, giving a speckled look. The top layer has a mix of melted cheese and herbs in stripes, creating a textured pattern of melted orange cheese and dark green herbs. To the left side of the loaf, there is a small clear bowl filled with a green sauce. Some sprigs of fresh herbs are placed on the white marble near the bread, adding a natural touch. 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 Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. What’s better than a quick bread that takes about an hour to whip up but delivers that fresh-from-the-oven, ooey-gooey goodness? It’s simple, versatile, and perfect for sharing — or sneaking slices when no one’s looking!

Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together fast without the wait for yeast to rise.
Layered Flavor: The garlic and herb swirl throughout creates bursts of flavor in every bite.
Cheese Ribbons: Slices of cheese snuggled inside make each slice melty and satisfying.
Customizable: You can swap herbs and cheeses to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

The image shows a rectangular loaf in a baking tray lined with parchment paper, resting on a white marbled surface. The loaf has five main visible layers on top: three wide, golden brown baked cheese layers with a slightly crispy texture, alternating with two green herb layers that have a finely chopped, leafy texture. The loaf surface is slightly cracked with a mix of glossy and matte areas, giving it a rustic look. At the front corner of the tray, there is a fresh green rosemary sprig placed on the loaf, adding a touch of freshness to the warm, baked colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe lies in the balance of fresh herbs, garlic, cheese, and that tender quick bread base. Each ingredient plays a role, whether it’s adding flavor, moisture, or helping the bread rise without yeast.

Flat lay of a block of cheddar cheese sliced into thin ribbons of varying widths, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs, fresh parsley leaves scattered loosely, two whole fresh garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a small white ceramic bowl of full-fat milk, a small white ceramic bowl of plain all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of dried oregano and dried thyme mixed together, and a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, all arranged in 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 cheddar or tasty cheese sliced about 3mm thick to create delicious melty ribbons that peek through the bread.
Fresh Rosemary and Parsley: These fresh herbs bring brightness and a fragrant kick that dried herbs can’t quite match.
Dried Oregano and Thyme: Adding depth and earthiness to complement the fresh herbs.
Garlic: Both in the swirl and the batter, it gives a gentle but noticeable punch of garlic flavor.
Plain Flour and Baking Soda: Together, they create the perfect structure to hold this quick bread without yeast.
Plain Yogurt and Milk: These keep the bread moist and tender — the yogurt adds slight tang and richness.
Eggs and Butter: Bind everything together and bring richness and softness.
Olive Oil: Used in the swirl and the batter for moisture and that lovely fruity note.

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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

I’ve experimented with this recipe over the years, and I love how flexible it is. Feel free to tweak the herbs or cheese based on what’s freshest or your mood — it’s fun to make it your own!

Variation: One time, I swapped half the plain flour for whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor — still delicious and a bit heartier, just watch the baking time.
Cheese Switch-Up: I’ve used colby and tasty cheese, but I steer clear of mozzarella because it melts too softly and lacks the salt punch.
Herb Substitution: When I don’t have fresh herbs, I use dried oregano and thyme, but I halve the amounts since dried herbs are more potent.
Make it Pesto Swirl: Instead of fresh herbs, swirling in about ⅓ cup of pesto creates a vibrant, extra-flavorful twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Herb-Garlic Swirl

Start by greasing your loaf pan lightly with butter or oil spray, then line it with baking paper for easy removal. Next, mix the herb and garlic swirl ingredients in a small bowl — it should be thick enough to dollop onto the bread batter without running. This step sets up all those beautiful flavor ribbons you’ll love in the baked bread.

Step 2: Whisk Dry and Wet Ingredients Separately

Whisk together your plain flour, baking soda, and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients — yogurt, milk, eggs, melted butter, olive oil, and the crushed garlic. Separating them helps you mix everything evenly without overworking the batter.

Step 3: Combine and Layer with Cheese and Herb Swirl

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined — don’t overmix or your bread might turn dense. Now, pour in a third of the batter into your loaf pan. Dollop on a third of your herb and garlic swirl, then use a knife to create pretty swirls, folding it gently through. Next, push a third of your cheese slices into the batter at random angles — some poking out is a good thing! Repeat these layers twice more, embracing the rustic look with cheese and herbs peeking through.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake the bread for 30 minutes uncovered until golden on top. Then cover it loosely with foil and bake another 20 minutes to ensure the center is cooked through. Test it with a skewer — it should come out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool at least 10 minutes before slicing. I always find that waiting those extra minutes makes the bread slice a whole lot prettier and less crumbly.

Top Tip

Based on my many tries with this Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe, a few tips really make it shine and help avoid pitfalls.

Don’t Overmix Batter: Stir until just combined to keep the bread tender and not tough.
Slice Cheese Thickly: Cutting your own cheese into 3-4mm thick slices creates those lovely ribbons; pre-sliced cheese doesn’t give the same visual or melty impact.
Swirl Gently: Use a light hand when swirling the herb mixture so it blends but doesn’t completely disappear.
Check Loaf Size: Your loaf pan doesn't have to be exact; if larger, bread will be flatter but still delicious.

How to Serve Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe

garlic herb cheese bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a few fresh parsley leaves or a dusting of finely grated parmesan over the warm bread for a pretty and tasty finish. Sometimes I brush the top lightly with extra olive oil just as it comes out of the oven for extra shine and flavor.

Side Dishes

This bread is a perfect companion to soups — my go-to is tomato basil soup or creamy mushroom soup. It also pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or alongside a charcuterie board for casual gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I’ve served this bread sliced thick and arranged in a fan shape around a bowl of roasted garlic butter or pesto for dipping. Tying herb sprigs on slices with kitchen twine also makes a charming touch for holiday tables.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools completely, I store leftover Garlic Herb Cheese Bread in an airtight container at room temperature. It keeps beautifully for up to 4 days without drying out. If you know you won’t finish it fast, refrigeration is better to keep it fresh longer.

Freezing

This bread freezes well! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or pop slices in freezer bags. When I’m ready for a snack, I thaw slices on the counter and reheat in a toaster or oven.

Reheating

I find reheating in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few minutes brings back the crispy edges and melty cheese flavor. You can also warm in a conventional oven wrapped in foil if you want it softer but still warm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use shredded cheese instead of sliced cheese?

Absolutely! If you prefer shredded cheese, use about 2 cups (200g) tightly packed. Mix it into the batter after combining the wet and dry ingredients, just before pouring into the loaf tin. It will give more of an even cheesy flavor throughout but won’t have those distinct melty ribbons I love with slices.

Can I make this bread dairy-free?

Yes, with some adjustments: replace the butter with a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or vegan margarine, use a plant-based yogurt and milk (almond or oat milk works well). Keep in mind the texture might be slightly different, but the herbs and garlic flavor will still shine beautifully.

What type of herbs work best in the Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe?

I find the combination of fresh rosemary and parsley with dried oregano and thyme creates the most balanced and fresh flavor profile. But you can experiment—basil, chives, or even dill can be lovely. Just remember to adjust quantities when swapping fresh with dried herbs (generally 1 tablespoon fresh equals 1 teaspoon dried).

Can I bake this bread in a different size pan?

Yes! If you use a larger pan, your bread will be flatter but still delicious. Just keep an eye on the baking time — it might cook faster, so check for doneness with a skewer starting around 40 minutes. The recipe’s loaf pan size (about 21 x 11 x 7 cm) gives a nice tall loaf that’s easy to slice.

Final Thoughts

I always feel a little proud when I pull this Garlic Herb Cheese Bread Recipe from the oven. It’s an easy way to make something taste special without fuss, and the fresh herb and cheesy ribbons make every bite a little celebration. Trust me — once you try it, this bread will become your go-to when you want to impress with minimal effort. Go ahead, get a loaf baking, and enjoy that cozy, herby goodness!