Homemade Cheddar Jalapeno Bread
This Homemade Cheddar Jalapeno Bread is it! It’s bakery-style bread that’s soft, cheesy, and has a little kick. The smell alone will make your whole kitchen feel cozy and inviting. It’s loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños for the perfect blend of spice and savory goodness.
Be sure to try this Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread and this Hot Water Cornbread too!
Cheddar Jalapeno Bread
This homemade bread is made with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and jalapeños. This loaf bakes up golden, fluffy, and full of bold flavor. Whether you’re using a bread machine or baking it in the oven, this recipe guarantees the perfect loaf every single time.
This bread makes the perfect base for my Scooby-Doo Sandwich, or enjoy it warm with butter, soup, or chili.
Ingredients you need for the bread
- Liquids: you will need warm water and milk
- Flour: all purpose flour or bread flour are best
- Yeast: use Instant yeast
- Jalapenos and cheese: the inclusions for this bread are cheese and jalapenos
Make Jalapeno Cheddar Bread: bread maker
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Here are the instructions for making the homemade bread in a bread maker.
Add your liquids and butter to the basket
Then add your dry ingredients
Let the bread maker do its thing
Add cheese and jalapenos to the top of the dough
It will rise and bake in the bread maker
Remove the loaf of bread and let it cool before slicing
Substitutions and Variations
Cheese: Try Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or smoked cheddar for fun flavor twists.
Add-ins: Mix in cooked bacon bits, green onions, or roasted garlic for extra flair.
Flour: Swap half of the bread flour for whole wheat for a nuttier taste.
Spice level: Add more jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick!
How to make Jalapeno Cheddar Bread without a Bread Maker
Start by Activating the yeast:
In a large bowl, combine warm water, milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Mix the dough:
Add the butter, salt, and flour. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Incorporate mix-ins:
Gently knead in the shredded cheddar and diced jalapeños until evenly distributed.
First rise:
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape and second rise:
Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover again and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and it sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool:
Let the bread cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to keep that perfect soft interior.
Storage
Store the cooled and sliced bread in an airtight container or plastic bread bag that ties up.
Keep it wrapped up at room temperature and store for up to 3 days.
FAQ
Why did my homemade bread come out so dense?
Make sure your yeast is fresh and that your water isn’t too hot — it should be around 110°F. Over-kneading or adding too much flour can also cause dense bread.
Can I use fresh jalapenos instead of pickled for cheddar jalapeno bread?
Yes you can. Remove the stems and seeds so that it is not overly spicy.
How spicy is cheddar jalapeno bread?
It’s mild-to-medium heat. Leave in some jalapeño seeds if you want it spicier, or use only one pepper for a gentle flavor.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Warm water about 110°F
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons Salt
- 3 cups Bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Instant yeast
- 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese shredded or cubed
- 2 Jalapeños fresh or jarred, seeded and finely diced (leave some seeds for extra heat)
Optional topping:
- extra cheddar cheese + a few jalapeño slices for garnish before baking
Instructions
- In your bread maker pan, add water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Top with flour, then make a small well and add the yeast. Make sure you add the ingredients in this order! This layering helps the dough mix evenly.
- Once the machine starts kneading (after a few minutes), sprinkle in the shredded cheddar and diced jalapeños.
- Choose the Basic/White Bread setting and a medium crust color. For most machines, this will take about 3 hours.
- About 10 minutes before the baking cycle ends, sprinkle extra cheese and sliced jalapeños on top of the dough and slightly press it in, to get that bakery-style look.
- After the machine beeps and completes the baking process, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. And enjoy!
Be sure to check the post above for making the bread without a bread machine.
Nutrition
After you try this Jalapeno Cheddar Bread recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
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