Savory Quick Bread With Cheese And Olives Recipe
This Savory Quick Bread with Cheese and Olives is an easy-to-make, flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a side for soups and salads. Combining a blend of shredded cheese, tangy olives, and optional fresh thyme, this moist and tender bread delivers a delightful savory taste with a hint of spice. Ready in under an hour, it’s an excellent snack for cheese lovers looking for a quick homemade bread option.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 large eggs
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 1 cup pitted olives (green, black, or a mix), drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted, or non-stick cooking spray (for greasing the loaf pan)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly with melted butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices throughout the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk the whole milk, olive oil, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and homogenous. This will create the liquid base for the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently and just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and prevent it from becoming tough.
- Incorporate Cheese, Olives, and Thyme: Fold in the shredded cheese, drained olives, and thyme leaves (if using) evenly into the batter, distributing them throughout without over-stirring.
- Transfer Batter to Pan and Bake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes to set. Then, remove it from the loaf pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents sogginess and helps achieve the best texture.
Notes
- You can use any combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheese for a nice melt and flavor blend.
- Choose your favorite olives—green, black, or a mix—to customize the bread’s taste.
- The cayenne pepper adds subtle heat; adjust or omit according to preference.
- Fresh thyme enhances aroma and flavor but is optional; dried thyme works well as a substitute.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This bread freezes well; slice before freezing and toast slices as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/10th of loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: savory quick bread, cheese bread, olive bread, easy homemade bread, snack bread, Mediterranean bread, quick bake, cheese and olives loaf