Description
Soft Cheesy Onion Bread is a warm, flavorful loaf featuring the savory sweetness of caramelized onions and melted cheese inside a tender, soft bread. Perfect for snacks, family dinners, or pairing with soups and salads, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a delicious homemade bread experience with customizable options for various tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or half whole wheat flour for variation)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Filling Ingredients
- 2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or your favorite melting cheese)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or parsley), chopped (optional)
- Oil or butter for caramelizing onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel and thinly slice the onions. Heat a pan with a bit of oil or butter over medium-low heat and cook the onions slowly for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelize, releasing a sweet, rich flavor.
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the surface and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture along with olive oil or melted butter. Stir and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Incorporate Cheese and Onions: Gently punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle. Evenly spread the caramelized onions over the surface and sprinkle generously with shredded cheese. Optionally, add garlic powder and fresh herbs for additional flavor.
- Shape and Second Rise: Roll the dough tightly from one edge to the other like a jelly roll, pinch the seams to seal, and place seam-side down in a greased loaf pan or shape into a freeform loaf on a baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil during baking.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before slicing to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- Slowly caramelize onions at low heat to bring out natural sweetness without burning.
- Use warm water (105°F to 115°F) to effectively activate yeast without killing it.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten for a soft yet sturdy texture.
- Do not skip the second rise for a lighter crumb and better loaf shape.
- Use good-quality melting cheese for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of loaf)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: soft cheesy onion bread, caramelized onion bread, homemade cheesy bread, easy bread recipe, savory bread, cheesy snacks, family dinner bread