Who knew that making bread could be so easy? Well I didn’t until just this year actually, but I’m so glad that I did find out that bread making can be very simple. Also, simplicity certainly helps, especially if you have two under two, like me! In fact, this jalapeno cheddar no knead bread has only 7 ingredients, 5 of which you probably already have in your pantry right now.
One of the things that I like most about jalapeno cheddar bread is that not only does it make incredible sandwich bread; but also, it makes a delicious snack on its own as well. I really like eating this bread with fontina cheese, ham, and honey mustard. My husband has tried it with salmon too, and he has said that it also tastes very good!
Additionally, this bread is the type of food to impress others too. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that this would be a hit at a party or social gathering or even as a gift.
Lastly, this bread is beautiful. In fact, it looks like a professionally done, artisan loaf. Therefore, this bread is so easy to put together and bake and looks beautiful. It’s a win, win for sure!
How does Jalapeno Cheddar No Knead Bread Taste?
The jalapenos provide a slight kick, while the cheddar gives a delicious savory touch to the bread. Also, don’t worry if you’re someone who doesn’t like spicy foods. If you use standard fresh jalapenos, you’ll find that this recipe isn’t really spicy at all making it perfect for just about anyone who likes savory foods.
How is this Bread No Knead?
This blog post from Bake with Jack, perfectly describes how you don’t need to knead, no pun intended. However, to sum things up, by allowing the jalapeno bread dough to sit and rest, the moisture and time enables the gluten to develop, and that’s how your bread effortlessly comes together!
What if I don’t have a Dutch Oven to Make Jalapeno Cheddar No Knead Bread?
There are a few different ways to still get good results without a Dutch Oven. The reason I use a Dutch Oven is because the lid provides steam that helps the bread to develop a nice, airy crumb.
Farmhouse on Boone has an excellent blog post on what you could use if you don’t have a Dutch Oven. Even though it’s written for someone who is baking sourdough bread, it should still be applicable to regular yeast bread as well. But again, a Dutch Oven just makes the process a lot easier, so I recommend using one if you can!
Equipment Needed
Mixing Bowl (Medium or Large)
Saran Wrap or Tea Towel
Whisk (Balloon or Dough Whisk will do)
Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
2-3 Medium Sized Jalapenos Diced (+ a few slices for the topping- optional)
1 Cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese (+ about 1/4 for the topping- optional)
3 Cups of All-Purpose Flour (+ more for shaping)
1 Tablespoon of White Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Tablespoon of Yeast (Make sure that it’s instant yeast)
1 1/2 Cups of Warm Water
How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar No Knead Bread
First mix together the diced jalapeno, shredded cheese, flour, yeast, sugar, and salt with a balloon whisk, dough whisk, or even a fork. Once everything is thoroughly mixed together, add the warm water and continue to mix together with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Mix everything until you have a mostly uniform, but shaggy looking, dough. Cover the bowl with Saran Wrap or a damp tea towel and let rise for 1-2 hours.
Once the dough has doubled in size and has bubbles on top, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and place the Dutch Oven with the lid on it in the oven while it’s preheating.
Next, scrape the dough onto a flat, floured work surface. Then shape the dough into a circular or oval shape (whatever shape your Dutch Oven is) with the rubber spatula or your hands, adding flour as needed. While shaping the dough, stretch and fold the dough to the center of dough ball, rotating until you have done all four sides. The dough doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth, just manageable and not super sticky.
And then transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper with the seem side down when you have the desired shape. Add any sliced jalapeno or shredded cheese toppings and place the dough with the parchment paper into the Dutch Oven.
Bake
Now, place the Dutch Oven with the lid on it into the oven and cook covered for about 40 minutes. Once the 40 minutes is up, remove the Dutch Oven lid and bake the bread for another 10- 12 minutes. You will know when the jalapeno cheddar bread is done because it will look golden brown.
Next, take the bread out of the oven and let it rest for about an hour before slicing. Then enjoy your freshly baked jalapeno cheddar no knead bread!
How to Store
Store this bread for a few days by wrapping it in Saran Wrap or using a Ziplock Bag.
To save the bread for about a week, wrap the bread and put it into a container or Ziplock Bag and keep in the fridge.
For preservation for a couple months, wrap the bread and place in a Ziplock Bag. To thaw, let bread sit out at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Additional Notes
I have found that buying a block of cheddar cheese and shredding it myself, gives the bread a better flavor in my opinion.
If you aren’t sure if the jalapeno cheddar bread is done, you can also knock on the bottom of the loaf. If the loaf sounds hollow, then it should be done baking.
Good quality flour makes a difference! I really like King Arthur’s flour.
Jalapeno Cheddar No Knead Bread
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl (Medium or Large)
- Saran Wrap or Tea Towel
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk (Balloon or Dough Whisk will do)
- Rubber Spatula
- Bench Scraper
- Parchment Paper
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2-3 Medium Sized Jalapenos Diced + a few slices for the topping- optional
- 1 Cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese + about 1/4 for the topping- optional
- 3 Cups of All-Purpose Flour + more for shaping
- 1 Tablespoon of White Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon of Salt
- 1 Tablespoon of Yeast Make sure that it’s instant yeast
- 1 1/2 Cups of Warm Water
Instructions
- First mix together the diced jalapeno, shredded cheese, flour, yeast, sugar, and salt with a balloon whisk, dough whisk, or even a fork. Once everything is thoroughly mixed together, add the warm water and continue to mix together with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Mix everything until you have a mostly uniform, but shaggy looking, dough. Cover the bowl with Saran Wrap or a damp tea towel and let rise for 1-2 hours.
- Once the dough has doubled in size and has bubbles on top, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and place the Dutch Oven with the lid on it in the oven while it’s preheating.
- Next, scrape the dough onto a flat, floured work surface. Then shape the dough into a circular or oval shape (whatever shape your Dutch Oven is) with the rubber spatula or your hands, adding flour as needed. While shaping the dough, stretch and fold the dough to the center of dough ball, rotating until you have done all four sides. The dough doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth, just manageable and not super sticky.
- And then transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper with the seem side down when you have the desired shape. Add any sliced jalapeno or shredded cheese toppings and place the dough with the parchment paper into the Dutch Oven.
- Now, place the Dutch Oven with the lid on it into the oven and cook covered for about 40 minutes. Once the 40 minutes is up, remove the Dutch Oven lid and bake the bread for another 10- 12 minutes. You will know when the jalapeno cheddar bread is done because it will look golden brown.
- Next, take the bread out of the oven and let it rest for about an hour before slicing. Then enjoy your freshly baked jalapeno cheddar no knead bread!
Notes
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All of these products are some of my favorite tools that I use in the kitchen!
Beautiful copper measuring cups and spoons
Bench Scraper for dough
THIS bread looks freaking awesome!! Can’t wait to bake up a loaf!đ€©
I have always wanted to try this using my garden fresh jalapenos! Thank you for the recipe!
Yum! Looks easy to make!
Such a beautiful loaf!
This looks amazing! Bookmarking for later.
My husband would love that! I need to try to make it.