Dinner

Bold and Crusty Jalapeño Cheddar Bread Recipe

ByMarina Montclair November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

Introduction

Bold and Crusty is a flavorful jalapeno cheddar bread with a crispy crust and a tender, cheesy interior. This homemade loaf is perfect for those who enjoy a little heat and a lot of cheesy goodness in their bread. It’s surprisingly easy to make and bakes beautifully in a Dutch oven.

A loaf of savory bread is shown on a white marbled surface, with one thick slice cut and lying next to it. The bread has a golden-brown crust with a slightly rough, baked texture. Inside, the bread is light yellow with green pea pieces evenly spread throughout. The slice reveals a soft, airy crumb with occasional little holes, and a layer of melted orange cheese visible near the middle. In the background, there is a blurred white bowl with cubes of butter. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (480 ml) warm water
2¼ tsp (7 g) active dry or instant yeast
1 tbsp (12 g) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil or other cooking oil
2 tsp (12 g) salt
2 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into rings for topping
1½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup (57 g) shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, oil, and yeast. Let sit until frothy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, chopped jalapenos, salt, and 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 3: Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir to form a sticky dough. Add more flour if the dough is too wet to handle.
Step 4: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
Step 5: Using a spatula, fold the edges of the dough toward the center. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 425ºF (220ºC) and place a Dutch oven inside to heat for 30 minutes.
Step 7: Lightly flour a surface and shape the dough into a ball on a piece of parchment paper.
Step 8: Sprinkle the dough ball with the remaining shredded cheddar and top with jalapeno rings.
Step 9: Carefully transfer the dough on the parchment paper into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 10: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
Step 11: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

For milder heat, reduce the amount of jalapenos or remove all the seeds before chopping.
Add herbs like rosemary or thyme for an extra layer of flavor.
Use smoked cheddar to give the bread a smoky depth.
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, bake the bread on a preheated baking stone or heavy baking sheet, covering it with an oven-safe bowl for the first half of baking.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the loaf wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven at 350ºF (175ºC) for 10 minutes to refresh the crust.

How to Serve

The image shows a loaf of savory bread with two slices cut in front of it. The bread has a golden-brown crust with some melted cheese spots on top. Inside, the bread is light-colored with visible green peas and bits of orange cheese baked throughout, creating a colorful and textured look. The bread rests on a white marbled surface with a white cloth underneath. A small block of pale cheese is out of focus in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute fresh yeast for dry yeast by using about three times the amount. Be sure to dissolve the fresh yeast in the warm water before mixing it into the flour.