Is there anything better than cheese + bread? I’d have to say “no” and that’s why you need to try this Easy Herb Quick Bread Recipe. Bursting with flavor from fresh herbs like thyme and parsley + the salty bite of parmesan, this quick bread is as easy as it is delicious. And the texture is moist with a bit of crunch from baked parmesan cheese on top.
I know it can be intimidating to make homemade bread but this savory bread recipe without yeast is so very easy! It’s a better-for-you option that’s perfect for snacking, as a side to dinner, or even to make mini sandwiches with.
Just imagine, a steaming bowl of soup with a slice of this on the side … now I’m hungry! And if that sounds like a combo for you, check out these creamy and easy soups to get started. Vegan Broccoli Soup with bits of broccoli and a “cheesy” flavor from nutritional yeast. Or for something a bit more traditional, try this Easy Vegan Tomato Soup that’s perfect for dipping bread into.
Ingredients
Eggs – Gives structure to the bread and helps it hold shape.
Olive Oil – A great subtle flavored oil to add moisture and bind this bread.
Almond Milk – Make sure to use unsweetened almond milk otherwise you’ll go from a savory bread to something slightly sweet!
Fresh Herbs – I chose to use parsley, thyme, and scallions for this herb bread recipe but get creative with what you have. The parsley and thyme pair well together while the scallions elevate the flavor of everything else with their zingy bite.
Vinegar – Helps this savory quick bread rise without yeast and improves the texture of gluten free baked goods. I used apple cider vinegar because that’s what I have in my cupboards but you can try other types if needed.
Almond Flour – They key to great texture is to use super fine blanched almond flour! It’s my favorite gluten-free flour because of how fine and delicate it is which makes for great texture in this herb bread.
Gluten Free Flour – My favorite gluten free flour blend is the 1:1 GF flour by Bob’s Red Mill because it creates the best texture and is so easy!
Baking Powder + Soda – Helps this quick bread rise without needing any yeast.
Parmesan – The salty bite of parmesan is the perfect compliment to this herb bread. You can always sub for another cheese or even a dairy free/vegan option.
How to Make this Easy Herb Quick Bread Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs. Add olive oil, almond milk, parsley, scallions, and thyme. and stir until combined. Lastly, whisk in vinegar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: almond flour, gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper , and shredded parmesan.
- Add dry ingredients to bowl of wet and stir until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Spread in your parchment lined 9” x 5” loaf pan and sprinkle some shredded parmesan over the top.
- Move to the oven and bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean/with a few moist crumbs. Serve warm & enjoy!
What is Quick Bread?
The best part about a quick bread is that there’s no yeast involved and it’s perfect for when you’re low on time or just don’t feel like spending a lot of effort in the kitchen. The basis of a quick bread is that it’s leavened with baking powder and baking soda instead of yeast. That’s where the “quick” comes in because there’s no need to let the batter rise. You simply prepare the batter then bake it right away!
Now some say there are two types of quick breads depending on the mixture consistency before baking. If it’s something like muffins, cornbread, or a quick bread (like this) then it’s actually called a batter. Whereas something like scones or biscuits are made with a dough. And not that it really matters but at least now you have a fun baking fact haha!
Gluten Free Flour Options
When it comes to baking I always suggest a gluten free flour mix to make things easier. Usually the mixes are optimized for leavening and texture with the specific flours they use! My favorite is Bob Red’s Mill because it’s a 1-to-1 blend that makes baking gluten free so easy. Another option you could try is this King’s Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour or this Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour blend! As with anything though, try it for yourself and see what works best.
The reason that gluten free flour mixes work so well is because they’re specifically formulated for baking. For instance, the Bob’s Red Mill gluten free blend includes various flours, starch, and gums that bind and bake like a normal glutenous flour would. That’s why I don’t recommend just subbing a gluten free flour blend with something like almond or oat flour because it will effect the final product!
What Herbs Go Well With this Easy Quick Bread Recipe?
This is where you can get real creative and truly make this bread your own. I suggest testing out different herbs or spices that you know you like then maybe experiment with something new along the way. These can be fresh herbs from your garden or the store, dried ones, or a combination of both. Just experiment on your own with this then comment below if you make a great combination!
Some ideas and suggestions to try include:
- Dill
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Sage
- Caraway
- Chives
- Fennel Seeds
Remember that herbs can be very strong so watch how much you use and how you prepare them. And a general guideline for swapping fresh herbs with dried herbs is to use 1/4 tsp dried for 1 tbsp fresh. Now get creative with this!
How to Store This Easy Quick Bread
There’s nothing better than fresh baked bread but unless you plan on having a feast with this, you’re going to have leftovers. The key is to store any extra bread just right so that it stays fresh and delicious.
After baking, store any extras of the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature with a paper towel inside (to absorb excess moisture) for up to five days. You can also keep it in the fridge, it might just dry out a bit quicker than at room temperature.
Another great option is to freeze pre-sliced pieces of this parmesan bread for a quick re-heat later on. That way when you have a busy week or long day, you can count on the freezer stash of tasty herb bread for a stress free snack, side dish, or as part of dinner! Simply slice the loaf then store slices in an air tight container with parchment paper between slices so that they don’t freeze together. Reheat individual slices in the oven, on stovetop, or by thawing in the fridge overnight.
If you’re looking for more quick breads that are on the sweeter side, check out these seasonal favorites! For the excess of zucchini in summer or as an all time treat, my Gluten Free Orange Zucchini Bread is a classic. Then for a more fall and winter forward bread, this Apple Cinnamon Streusel Bread is warm and delicious, perfect for cozy weather.
If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment and rating in the boxes below! I always love to hear from you, and it also helps other people find this recipe when they search online for the BEST Savory Parmesan & Herb Quick Bread 🙂
Ingredients
- 2 Ea Large Eggs
- ¼ Cup Olive oil
- ½ Cup Almond milk unsweetened
- ¼ Cup Chopped parsley
- ¼ Cup Chopped scallions ~3 medium scallions
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves stripped from stems
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar I used apple cider vinegar
- 2 Cups Super fine blanched almond flour
- 1 Cup 1:1 Gluten free flour
- 2 Tsp Baking powder
- 1 Tsp Baking soda
- ¼ Tsp Salt
- ¼ Tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 Cup Shredded parmesan plus extra for sprinkling over top of bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs. Add olive oil, almond milk, parsley, scallions, and thyme. and stir until combined. Lastly, whisk in vinegar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: almond flour, gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper , and shredded parmesan.
- Add dry ingredients to bowl of wet and stir until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Spread in your parchment lined 9” x 5” loaf pan and sprinkle some shredded parmesan over the top.
- Move to the oven and bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean/with a few moist crumbs. Serve warm & enjoy!
Cecilia says
Hi, I am a bit worried at the cheese as I have issued with dairy — any thoughts on a) if I can reduce the cheese – up to how much less that it wouldn’t affect the recipe or b) remove it entirely and substitute with nutritional yeast? maybe? how much?
Thanks!
Casey Colodny says
Hi Cecilia, I haven’t tested this recipe without cheese so not sure how it would turn out! Would love to know how it does if you try making any modifications! – Casey
Allaire says
I had to make a handful of substitutions and this still turned out great. I think it’s an awesome base recipe for any savory flavors and I can’t wait to try more…jalapeño-cheddar, anyone?
Casey Colodny says
So glad to hear this recipe still came out great with some substitutions. Jalapeño cheddar sounds AMAZING!!! Definitely need to get that tested!!! 😀
– Casey
Kaylee says
Looks delish! Am allergic to almonds unfortunately so wanted to get your thoughts on an almond flour substitute?
Casey Colodny says
Hi Kaylee! Unfortunately I haven’t tried this recipe with a substitute for almond flour so I don’t have any good recommendations and would hate for you to waste any ingredients if something didn’t work out. If you need a baked goods recipe without almond flour I love my GF pumpkin oat muffins 🙂
– Casey
runnermh says
Holy cannoli, bakers! This bread is the real deal. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I had my first bite. First, NO ONE would suspect this to be a gluten-free bread. It’s moist, but not overly so, and the cheese gives it an unforgivably delicious crumb. I’ve made this bread twice now, and the second time, I got adventurous and used one of those ‘fancy pants’ oils from a local shop: an Italian herb-infused olive oil. This little change made the bread absolutely off-the-charts good. (Yes, it also made it a little more pricey, but you can’t get that kind of flavor on the cheap.) Even without it, though, the bread is great. You need to make it. Now.
Casey Colodny says
Wowowowowow!!! Thank you for taking time to leave such an incredible review. SO HAPPY YOU LOVED THIS BREAD AS MUCH AS I DID!! &Thanks for leaving the tip about the high-quality olive oil! Definitely sounds like a worth-while sub 😛
– Casey