Name: No-Knead Cheese Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups bread flour (or all-purpose in a pinch); 2 tsp instant yeast; 1½ tsp kosher salt; 1½ cups very warm water (~120°F); 2½ cups freshly shredded Colby Jack (or your favorite meltable cheese!)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a homemade loaf that’s absolutely impossible to resist, let me introduce you to the No-Knead Cheese Bread. Imagine a crispy, golden crust giving way to a pillowy-soft interior, streaked with gooey pockets of cheddar goodness—and all without ever tiring out your arms kneading. This bread is gloriously simple, rich with cheesy flavor, and rewards your patience with a bakery-worthy loaf every single time. Whether you’re a seasoned bread baker or a total newbie, you’ll fall hard for how easy and delicious this No-Knead Cheese Bread is!

No-Knead Cheese Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of pantry staples and your favorite meltable cheese to whip up this crave-worthy No-Knead Cheese Bread. Each ingredient matters—together, they ensure you get that signature soft crumb, punchy flavor, and tender, cheesy bite in every slice. Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:

Bread flour: Gives you the perfect chewy crumb and structure, but you can use all-purpose flour in a pinch for a slightly softer loaf.
Instant yeast: Ensures a reliable rise and airy texture, all without the need for proofing or kneading.
Kosher salt: Balances the richness of the cheese and brings out the bread’s full flavor.
Very warm water: Jumpstarts the yeast and helps create that irresistibly moist dough; make sure it’s around 120°F for the best results.
Freshly shredded Colby Jack: Melts beautifully for gooey cheese pockets in the crumb — feel free to swap with your favorite melty cheese!

How to Make No-Knead Cheese Bread

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Grab your biggest mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt—that’s the foundation. Pour in the very warm water while stirring everything together with a sturdy spatula, until you have a sticky, shaggy dough that’s just combined (no need to smooth it out). Add all that freshly shredded Colby Jack, folding it in gently—those cheesy bits will swirl through every bite when baked. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight lid and let your dough rise at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours, until beautifully puffed and doubled in size.

Step 2: Preheat Your Oven and Dutch Oven

About 30 minutes before your dough is ready, set your oven to preheat at 450°F (230°C) with your Dutch oven (and its lid) inside. This step is crucial—starting your No-Knead Cheese Bread in an extra-hot pot gives it that signature bakery-style, crackly crust and a quick, perfect rise. Don’t skip getting your vessel blazing-hot!

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Generously flour a large sheet of parchment paper, then gently scrape your dough onto it—it’ll be sticky, so don’t worry about perfection. With floured hands, quickly coax it into a rustic ball. The goal isn’t a smooth sphere but a loose, chubby mound; all those nooks and crags create more crispy crust later. The less you fuss with it, the better!

Step 4: Bake to Golden Cheesy Bliss

Using the parchment as a sling, carefully transfer the dough into your ripping-hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes; this traps in steam and helps the bread rise tall. Then uncover and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the top is a deep, caramelized golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. The cheese will be bubbling, the crust singing—get ready for the best kitchen smells ever!

Step 5: Cool, Slice, and Savor

Once your No-Knead Cheese Bread is baked to perfection, lift it from the pot and set on a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 15–20 minutes (we know, it’s tough!) so the crumb sets. Then slice it up, spread with a little butter if you’re feeling indulgent, and let the swooning begin. There’s nothing quite like that first, cheesy bite!

How to Serve No-Knead Cheese Bread

Garnishes

A loaf this gorgeous doesn’t need much, but if you want to take your No-Knead Cheese Bread over the top, consider brushing the warm crust with a bit of melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or fresh herbs. Chives, parsley, or even a dusting of garlic powder can transform each slice into a gourmet treat. For extra drama, serve with a swirl of hot honey or spicy chili crisp on the side!

Side Dishes

Pair this bread with just about anything! It’s the ultimate companion to piping-hot tomato soup, hearty stews, or even a big kale Caesar salad. Serve it as a crowd-pleasing base for open-faced sandwiches, alongside eggs at brunch, or plunk big hunks into a bread basket for a dinner party—they’ll disappear in minutes.

Creative Ways to Present

If you really want to impress, turn your No-Knead Cheese Bread into cheese toasties or grilled cheese sandwiches—yes, double the cheese! Slice thick and use it as the sturdy base for crostini with roasted veggies, or cube it for the ultimate homemade croutons. For a rustic look, serve the loaf on a wooden board with a small wheel of brie or a pot of whipped ricotta on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your No-Knead Cheese Bread tasting fresh, wrap the cooled loaf in foil or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is humid, stash it in the fridge, although the crumb may firm up a bit—don’t worry, a quick reheat brings it right back.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Once cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. For the best texture, slice before freezing; that way, you can simply pull out a slice or two whenever the craving hits and pop them straight in the toaster or oven.

Reheating

To refresh your No-Knead Cheese Bread, place slices or the whole loaf in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes, until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. For a super crisp crust, try toasting slices on a cast iron skillet with a touch of butter—pure bliss!

FAQs

Can I use different cheeses in this recipe?

Absolutely! While Colby Jack is a melty, mild classic, feel free to mix things up with sharp cheddar, fontina, gouda, or mozzarella. Just make sure you shred your cheese fresh, as pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents and won’t melt as nicely.

What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?

No worries! You can use any heavy lidded pot that’s oven safe at high temperatures. If you’re really in a pinch, bake the dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet with an inverted roasting pan or heatproof bowl to trap steam over the top for the first 30 minutes.

Can I make No-Knead Cheese Bread ahead of time?

Yes! You can let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight (8 to 12 hours). In the morning or next day, shape and bake as usual. This slow rise actually improves the flavor and gives even better structure.

Is it OK to use all-purpose flour if I don’t have bread flour?

Definitely. All-purpose flour makes a slightly softer, less chewy loaf, but it will still yield delicious results. Just keep the liquid the same and proceed as directed.

Why does fresh-shredded cheese matter so much?

Fresh-shredded cheese melts more evenly and creates those amazing cheesy rivers throughout your No-Knead Cheese Bread. Bagged, pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents and can make your bread greasy or prevent it from melting properly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a fuss-free showstopper that fills your kitchen with amazing smells and your table with smiling faces, No-Knead Cheese Bread is the recipe to try. One bowl, no fancy equipment, just craveable homemade bread that never fails to impress. Go on—bake yourself a loaf, and enjoy every cheesy bite!

No-Knead Cheese Bread Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 7 reviews

Author: Lily
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the cheesy goodness of this No-Knead Cheese Bread, a simple yet flavorful recipe that requires minimal effort for maximum satisfaction. With gooey Colby Jack cheese folded into a rustic bread dough, each bite is a delightful blend of chewy bread and melty cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread:

3 cups bread flour (or all-purpose in a pinch)
2 tsp instant yeast
1½ tsp kosher salt
1½ cups very warm water (~120°F)

Cheese:

2½ cups freshly shredded Colby Jack (or your favorite meltable cheese!)

Instructions

Mix: In a big bowl, whisk flour, yeast, and salt. Stir in warm water until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. Fold in shredded cheese. Cover and let rise at room temp for 1.5–2 hours until doubled.
Preheat: About 30 mins before rising ends, heat oven to 450°F (230°C) with Dutch oven inside (lid on).
Shape: Scrape dough onto floured parchment. Gently shape into a rough ball — it’s rustic!
Bake: Carefully lift dough (on parchment) into hot Dutch oven. Cover, bake 30 mins. Uncover, bake 10–15 more until deep golden and hollow when tapped.
Cool: Rest loaf on a rack 15–20 mins. Then slice, share, swoon!