Here’s how to make the most addictive dutch oven jalapeno cheddar bread (and it’s such an easy recipe!).
How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
- Prepare dough. In a stand mixer, combine water, yeast, and let sit for 5 minutes. Gradually add flour, 2 cups cheddar, diced jalapeños, and salt, mixing on low speed for 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1-2 hours, performing stretch and folds every 30 minutes.
- Shape dough. Preheat a Dutch oven at 500ºF for an hour. On a floured surface, turn out dough, fold edges toward the center, and form a ball. Score the dough, spray with oil, and top with cheddar and jalapeño slices.
- Bake. Transfer dough with parchment paper to the preheated Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, remove the lid, and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing.
What is a Dutch Oven?
A Dutch oven refers to a heavy, cast-iron pot with a tightly-fitting lid that has been used for centuries in both professional and home kitchens.
A Dutch oven is ideal for making all kinds of dishes, from soups and stews to roasts and casseroles. In particular, it’s known for its ability to bake bread to perfection, with a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior.
Its thick walls and lid ensure even heat distribution, resulting in wonderful dishes every time.
Why Use a Dutch Oven for Baking This Jalapeno Cheddar Bread?
The enclosed lid helps to create a steamy environment within the pot, which allows the Jalapeno Cheddar Bread to rise and develop a beautiful, golden brown crust on the outside and a fluffy texture on the inside.
Also, the heat is evenly throughout the bread, ensuring a perfectly-cooked loaf every time, even with minimal effort on your part.
What If I Don’t Have a Dutch Oven?
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can try to mimic the effect of one with these options.
The first is to use a large cast-iron pot with a tight-fitting lid. Another option is to use a deep baking dish or casserole dish with a lid, placed over a baking stone in the oven.
While these options may not exactly replicate the results of baking bread in a Dutch oven, they will work well in a pinch.
Can I Freeze Jalapeno Cheddar Bread?
Freezing this Jalapeno Cheddar Bread can be a convenient way to preserve its freshness in case you have some leftovers. You’ll want to wrap the cheese bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
When you’re ready to enjoy the Jalapeno Cheddar Bread, simply take it out from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Avoid thawing it in the microwave or oven, as this can cause the cheese to become rubbery and the bread to become soggy.
Once it has thawed, you can toast it in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until it’s warm.
Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 2 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large jalapeno, diced plus jalapeno slices for decoration
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
Instructions
- Add the flour, 2 cups of cheddar, diced jalapeño and salt to a bowl and stir to combine.
- In a bowl of stand mixer fitted with a dough hook combine the water and yeast.
- Let stand for 5 minutes.
- While the mixer is running, add the flour mixture slowly.
- Beat on low speed for 10 minutes.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil.
- Transfer the dough into the bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- After one hour, perform stretch and folds every 30 minutes over the next 1 ½ hours.
- Meanwhile, add your Dutch oven, with the lid on, to your oven.
- Preheat the oven to 500ºF. An hour of preheating is recommended.
- Gently turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Fold the corners of the dough in towards the center, about 6-8 times, until a rough ball is formed. Flip the dough over onto the piece of parchment paper.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully score the dough.
- Spray the dough with cooking oil.
- Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.
- Top with jalapeno slices.
- Carefully, using oven mitts, remove the hot Dutch oven from your oven and remove the lid.
- Transfer the dough with parchment paper to the Dutch oven.
- Put the lid on, and return to the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove the lid and continue baking another 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven.
- Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.
