There’s something truly comforting about the aroma of fresh bread mingled with garlic, herbs, and melting cheese—this Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe brings all that home in less than an hour. It’s an easy, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for any meal or just snacking on its own.

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 Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I became obsessed with this Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe the first time I baked it. The way the cheese melts into gooey ribbons and the herb-garlic swirl perfumes your kitchen? Absolute magic. Plus, it’s fast enough to whip up even on weeknights.

Speedy comfort: Quick bread means no waiting on yeast or rises—perfect for when you want fresh bread, like, yesterday.
Flavor-packed: Garlic and herbs aren’t just sprinkled; they’re swirled right through for every bite to burst with taste.
Cheesy goodness: I love slicing the cheese thicker so you get gooey ribbons through the loaf—makes it feel extra special.
Super adaptable: You can easily swap herbs or cheeses, making it your own creation every time you bake it.

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

This recipe balances creamy cheese, fragrant herbs, and garlic with a quick bread base that’s rich from yogurt and butter. Each ingredient plays a perfect supporting role to keep the bread moist but structured, cheesy but savory, and bursting with herb flavor.

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

Cheddar or Tasty Cheese: Cutting slices thicker helps create those beautiful cheese ribbons embedded in the bread when baked.
Fresh Rosemary & Parsley: Fresh herbs bring brightness and an earthy aroma that dried ones can’t quite match.
Dried Oregano & Thyme: Adding depth and classic Mediterranean warmth to the herb mix.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic pressed or grated infuses the swirl with a punch without overpowering it.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Incorporated into the herb swirl, it carries flavors and keeps everything moist.
Plain Flour & Baking Soda: The quick bread combo for a tender crumb and slight rise without yeast.
Cooking Salt: Enhances flavors overall—remember to adjust if using finer table salt.
Plain Yogurt: Adds moisture, richness, and a subtle tang that keeps the bread from feeling heavy.
Milk & Eggs: Provide structure and tenderness while enriching the dough.
Unsalted Butter & Olive Oil: Combining both adds richness and helps keep the crumb soft and flavorful.

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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 love how flexible this Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with herb blends and cheese choices, and you’ll definitely enjoy personalizing it to whatever you have in the fridge or garden.

Go cheesy: Once, I swapped the sliced cheese for shredded cheddar mixed through the batter, and it made the entire loaf ooze cheesy goodness instead of ribbons. Totally delicious!
Herb swaps: Basil and thyme make a lovely combo here if you want something a little different. Or try adding a dollop of pesto into the swirl instead of fresh herbs for a vibrant pop.
Garlic lovers: Double the garlic in the swirl if you’re craving garlic bread vibes. Just be ready for some extra savory punch.
Gluten-free twist: I haven’t tested it extensively, but a gluten-free baking mix swap might work—just adjust liquids as needed for texture.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). I lightly butter my loaf pan, then line it with parchment paper to make sure the loaf releases easily after baking. This little step saves me from any frustration with sticking later.

Step 2: Make the Herb Garlic Swirl

Mix the finely chopped rosemary, parsley, oregano, thyme, crushed garlic, olive oil, and salt until you have a thick, dollop-able paste. If you want it smoother, a quick blitz with a stick blender works wonders—but I like the texture when it’s hand-chopped.

Step 3: Whisk Dry and Wet Ingredients Separately

In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat the yogurt, milk, eggs, melted butter, olive oil, and extra garlic until blended. Keeping these separate avoids overmixing when combined, which keeps the bread tender.

Step 4: Combine and Layer

Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the wet mix, and gently fold until just combined. Overmixing can toughen the bread, so stop as soon as no dry flour remains.

Pour one-third of the batter into the pan, dollop a third of the herb mixture evenly across, then use a knife to swirl the herbs into the batter up and down and around. Next, press one-third of the sliced cheese randomly into batter—some slices poking out creates gorgeous cheese ribbons.

Repeat this layering two more times until all ingredients are used. The surface may look rustic with herbs and cheese exposed—that’s exactly what you want for maximum flavor and texture.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for 30 minutes until golden on top, then cover loosely with foil and bake for another 20 minutes to cook through. Test with a skewer in the center—it should come out clean when done.

Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack for at least 10 more minutes. I usually sneak a slice while it’s warm, slathered with butter—irresistible!

Top Tip

This recipe might seem straightforward, but I learned a few tricks that make it incredibly tasty and foolproof.

Cheese Thickness: Cutting the cheese into uneven ribbons (some wider, some narrower) creates delightful pockets of gooey cheese instead of it melting uniformly.
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the batter just until the dry ingredients disappear keeps the bread soft and tender; overmixing can make it dense.
Swirling Technique: When swirling herbs into the batter, be gentle but persistent—this makes the herbs beautifully distributed and visually enticing.
Foil Covering: Cover the bread with foil after 30 minutes to prevent over-browning while allowing it to cook through perfectly.

How to Serve Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe

cheese herb garlic bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Fresh parsley sprinkled on top right after baking adds a pop of color and freshness. For extra decadence, a brush of melted herb butter on warm slices is heavenly. Sometimes, I even spread a little cream cheese mixed with chopped chives—it’s a winner every time.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this bread with soups—tomato basil or creamy pumpkin are favorites. It also goes well alongside a simple salad or with a charcuterie board for grazing. It’s versatile enough to be a snack or part of a full meal.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had great fun presenting this bread as mini pull-apart loaves using muffin tins, perfect for parties. You can also slice it thick, toast it lightly, and top with avocado or smoked salmon for a fancy brunch. Floating fresh herb sprigs on the plate instantly amps up the presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days. After that, I move the bread to the fridge to keep it fresh longer but recommend reheating or toasting to bring back that fresh-baked texture.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully. I slice it before freezing, then pop slices into zip-lock bags. When you’re ready, just toast or warm them up straight from the freezer for an easy snack or side.

Reheating

For best results, I reheat slices in a toaster oven or under a grill for a few minutes to crisp the edges and warm the cheese back to melty perfection. Microwave works in a pinch but can make the bread a bit soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of sliced?

Yes, you can substitute shredded cheese for the sliced cheese by mixing about 2 cups tightly packed (around 200g) into the batter right after combining the wet and dry ingredients. It will melt throughout the bread, giving a consistent cheesy flavor but without the visible ribbons that the slices create.

What if I only have dried herbs?

You can substitute fresh herbs with about 1 tablespoon of dried herbs for this recipe. The flavor won’t be quite as vibrant but still delicious. Alternatively, a dollop of pesto (around ⅓ to ½ cup) can be mixed into the herb swirl for an easy swap with great flavor.

Do I need to cover with foil during baking?

Yes, covering the bread with foil after the initial 30 minutes prevents the top from over-browning while allowing the inside to continue baking thoroughly. It keeps the crust tender and the loaf moist.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

I haven’t tested a gluten-free version extensively, but you could try swapping in a gluten-free all-purpose baking flour blend. You might need to adjust the liquid amounts slightly to get the right batter consistency. It’s worth experimenting if gluten-free bread is your goal!

Final Thoughts

This Cheese and Herb Garlic Quick Bread Recipe is one of those recipes I keep returning to because it makes my kitchen smell amazing and my family smile with every bite. It’s deceptively simple but packed with flavor, and the customization options make it feel like your own signature loaf. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever did without it!