Garlic Quick Bread with Herb & Cheese Swirl

This garlic quick bread is everything you want in a homemade loaf: fluffy, cheesy, herb-infused, and baked to perfection without the hassle of yeast. Ready in under an hour, it’s layered with fresh herbs, garlic, and gooey cheese, making it the perfect side for soups, pasta, or simply enjoyed warm on its own.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 5

Servings: 10 slices

Course: bread, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 220

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Cheese

200 g cheddar or tasty cheese, sliced into thin ribbons around 3 mm (0.1 in) thick for cheesy pockets

For the Herb & Garlic Swirl

2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
0.5 tsp dried thyme
2 cloves garlic, pressed or finely grated
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
0.5 tsp kosher salt reduce if using table salt

Dry Ingredients

2.25 cups all-purpose flour (plain flour)
1 tsp baking soda (or 3.5 tsp baking powder)
0.75 tsp kosher salt halve if using table salt

Wet Ingredients

0.5 cup plain yogurt, full-fat
0.75 cup whole milk full-fat recommended
2 large eggs, room temperature
3.5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp olive oil
2 small cloves garlic, crushed or grated

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F (fan or conventional).
Grease a 21 x 11 x 7 cm loaf pan with butter or spray. Line with parchment paper.
Mix rosemary, parsley, oregano, thyme, garlic, olive oil, and salt in a bowl to form a paste.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
In another bowl, whisk yogurt, milk, eggs, butter, olive oil, and garlic until smooth.
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—do not overmix.
Layer batter, herb mixture, and cheese in thirds inside the loaf pan, swirling lightly with a knife each time.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil and bake 20 minutes more (total 50 minutes). Check with a skewer for doneness.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Swap herbs for basil, dill, or chives. Try mozzarella for gooey texture or parmesan for sharpness. Brush the loaf with garlic butter after baking for extra flavor. Muffin tins or mini loaf pans work too—just reduce bake time to 18–22 minutes.