Asiago Cheese Bread Recipe
Crusty on the outside, tender within, and luxuriously packed with pockets of deeply savory cheese, this Asiago Cheese Bread is a home-baked masterpiece that transforms your kitchen into an artisanal bakery. With its fragrant Italian herbs, a touch of garlic, and that unmistakable sharp nuttiness from Asiago, this bread is perfect for sharing at family dinners or elevating a simple bowl of soup. Crafters of comfort food and carb-lovers alike will fall in love with each slice, and you’ll be amazed at how easily this bakery-worthy loaf comes together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Asiago Cheese Bread recipe has a special job, coming together for maximum flavor and perfect texture. Nothing fancy here—just simple, honest staples you probably already have. The Asiago, obviously, stars in the show, but every supporting ingredient helps create a loaf with craveable golden crust and fluffy crumb.
- Bread flour: Provides the strong structure and chewy yet soft crumb that makes homemade bread irresistible.
- Instant yeast: Ensures a reliable, quick rise for a consistent and airy loaf every time.
- Salt: Brings out the cheesy flavors while balancing and enhancing every other ingredient.
- Warm water (110°F/43°C): Activates the yeast, keeps the dough smooth, and helps everything come together beautifully.
- Olive oil: Adds a hint of richness and helps create that golden-brown, slightly crispy crust.
- Asiago cheese (divided): This pungent, nutty cheese is the star ingredient, delivering bursts of flavor in every bite.
- Garlic powder (optional): For an extra aromatic kick that plays so well with Asiago and herbs.
- Dried Italian herbs (optional): Use these for a herby lift and subtle complexity throughout the loaf.
How to Make Asiago Cheese Bread
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your bread flour, instant yeast, and salt. A quick, even mix at this stage makes sure your bread rises evenly and avoids any salty spots. It’s the perfect base for a flavorful dough.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Pour in the warm water and olive oil, stirring until a rough dough starts to form. Don’t worry if it looks a little shaggy—that’s exactly what you want at this point. A sturdy spoon or your hands will bring everything together nicely.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes. It should feel smooth, elastic, and a little tacky—not sticky. This is when the gluten magic happens, giving your Asiago Cheese Bread its signature structure.
Step 4: First Rise
Drop the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm, cozy spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size. This is where patience pays off—watching the dough puff up, you’ll know a great loaf is ahead!
Step 5: Shape and Fill with Cheese
Punch down the dough, flatten it into a rectangle, and sprinkle evenly with 1 cup of your glorious Asiago cheese (along with garlic powder and Italian herbs if you like). Roll it up into a loaf shape, making sure to pinch the seam on the bottom so it stays sealed during baking.
Step 6: Second Rise
Transfer your filled and rolled loaf into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and give it another 30 to 40 minutes to rise—a short wait for serious reward!
Step 7: Add a Cheesy Topping
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Right before baking, shower the top of your loaf with the remaining 1/2 cup Asiago cheese. This creates an irresistible, golden, bubbly crust that nobody can resist.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Slide your bread into the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. It’s ready when deeply golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack—you’ll want to slice it, but just give it a few minutes first for the crumb to set. Then, enjoy every cheesy, aromatic bite of your freshly baked Asiago Cheese Bread.
How to Serve Asiago Cheese Bread
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra Asiago, a little chopped fresh parsley, or even a dusting of cracked black pepper delivers that over-the-top finish. A drizzle of olive oil or touch of sea salt as soon as the bread comes out of the oven really wakes up all the flavors, too.
Side Dishes
This loaf was crafted for dunking into tomato soup or serving with hearty pasta dishes. It also shines alongside robust salads, antipasto spreads, or as the base for a gourmet sandwich loaded with roasted veggies and more cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing your Asiago Cheese Bread while warm and serving it with herbed butter or a garlic-infused olive oil dip at the table. For parties, cube the bread and arrange it on a rustic board with meats, fruits, and more cheeses—you’ll be the host everyone remembers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any remaining Asiago Cheese Bread tightly in foil or plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to a week, though be aware it may dry out a touch compared to day one.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully! Cool the loaf completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and pop into a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Slice before freezing if you want to enjoy a piece or two at a time.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked magic, reheat slices in a toaster or a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. If reheating a whole loaf from frozen, keep it wrapped in foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through and fragrant.
FAQs
Can I use pre-shredded Asiago cheese?
Yes! Pre-shredded Asiago will save you time, but freshly shredded Asiago melts just a bit better and delivers a more pronounced flavor and aroma in your bread. Either works beautifully though.
Can I substitute another cheese?
While Asiago really is the star here, feel free to experiment. Romano, Parmesan, or a sharp white cheddar make delicious substitutes if needed. Just keep the total cheese quantity the same for best results.
Why didn’t my bread rise?
If your Asiago Cheese Bread didn’t get that lovely lift, check that your yeast is fresh and the water wasn’t too hot or too cold. Also, make sure the bread has a cozy, draft-free spot for both rises—yeast thrives in warmth!
How can I make the loaf crustier?
For a crunchy, bakery-style crust, place a shallow pan of hot water in the oven on the rack below your bread as it bakes. This extra steam works wonders for color and texture.
Is this Asiago Cheese Bread vegetarian?
It is! The recipe uses only plant-based ingredients and cheese, so it fits a vegetarian lifestyle. If you’re strictly vegetarian, be sure your Asiago is made with vegetarian rennet (some imported versions use animal rennet).
Final Thoughts
If you’re even a little curious, I truly hope you’ll give this Asiago Cheese Bread a try. There’s nothing quite like the pride (and the gorgeous smell) of pulling a bubbling, cheesy golden loaf from your oven. Enjoy sharing it with loved ones—or keeping every last crumb for yourself!
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Asiago Cheese Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus rising time
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the savory goodness of homemade Asiago Cheese Bread, a delightful artisan loaf that’s perfect for pairing with soups or pasta dishes. This recipe yields a golden, cheesy bread with a hint of garlic and Italian herbs.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Asiago cheese (divided)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dough: Combine bread flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, knead until smooth.
- Rise: Let dough rise until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: Flatten dough, add 1 cup Asiago cheese, herbs, and garlic. Roll into a loaf.
- Second Rise: Let the loaf rise again.
- Bake: Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake until golden.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool before slicing.
Notes
- For a crustier loaf, add a pan of hot water in the oven while baking.
- You can substitute some bread flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
