Cheddar Jalapeno Buttermilk Bread

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This cheddar jalapeno bread recipe is super moist and loaded with flavor. Buttermilk gives the bread a wonderful texture and delightful flavor. With a generous amount of sharp cheddar cheese and jalapenos, this bread will knock your socks off!

cheddar jalapeno buttermilk bread on a wire rack with a slice cut out

This jalapeno buttermilk bread recipe is so flavorful and will be great alongside your favorite soups. It smells just like jalapeno poppers while baking in the oven. YUM!

While I’m a huge fan of yeast bread, sometimes I just want a quick bread recipe that I can whip up in a flash. There’s no kneading or waiting for the dough to rise. You just mix it up in one single bowl then pop it in the oven to bake.

I prefer buttermilk bread because of how tender and moist it is. Buttermilk adds a very slight tang also which goes well with the sharp cheddar and jalapenos.

Cheddar jalapeno buttermilk bread is a great alternative to making drop biscuits as well. It’s much easier yet it can still be served on the side of your main dish. But, it is fabulous enough to enjoy on its own.

Why this recipe works

  • This bread is quick. It’s as simple as dumping the ingredients into a bowl and stirring. The longest time is the time it takes to bake – 50 minutes.
  • Buttermilk bread is light, soft, and crumbly. And this one is full of cheese. I mean packed full!
  • The quick bread batter is thick like biscuit dough but bakes up supremely soft.
sliced cheddar jalapeno buttermilk bread on a wire rack

Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make my homemade buttermilk bread are very simple. You, most likely, have several of them in the pantry already.

  • Flour – I use Bob’s Red Mill all-purpose flour. It always yields the best results and is my absolute favorite brand.
  • Sugar – This is completely optional but I find that it helps meld all the flavors together. The recipe calls for two tablespoons so it’s not a lot.
  • Baking powder – Needed to make the bread rise. This recipe uses 1 ½ tablespoons of baking powder so make sure you are using a quality brand like Rumford. It’s aluminum-free and double-acting.
  • Salt – Added to balance all the flavors.
  • White pepper – It’s milder than black pepper and goes so well with the flavor of the bread.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese – Use block cheese and grate it yourself. This will give you the very best results. However, packaged shredded cheese can be used if necessary.
  • Jalapenos – The recipe calls for three jalapenos. I find this is the perfect amount for just the right spice and flavor.
  • Buttermilk – Be sure to let the buttermilk come to room temperature before making the bread.
  • Butter – Unsalted butter is best since a good amount of salt is added to the recipe. If you must use salted butter, omit the salt from the recipe.

To make this buttermilk bread, you’ll need:


How to make cheddar jalapeno buttermilk bread

It’s SO easy to whip up this simple cheddar jalapeno bread. It only takes about 15 minutes to make the dough. Then the bread takes about 50 minutes to bake but you can busy yourself with other things while it’s in the oven.

The Batter – The batter is made in one single bowl, making cleanup a breeze. It takes a few stirs to get the buttermilk mixed in and the end result is a thick batter that must be scooped into the loaf pan.

sliced buttermilk bread with cheddar and jalapenos on a wire rack

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients

You need one large bowl and whisk. Add all the dry ingredients to the bowl – flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and white pepper.

Use the whisk to stir it all together making sure to get the baking powder evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Step 2: Add the cheese and jalapenos

Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and chopped jalapenos. Use a silicone spatula to stir until mixed well.

Step 3: Stir in the wet ingredients

In a 2-cup measuring cup, stir the room-temperature buttermilk and melted butter together until well combined.

Drizzle the milk mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a silicone spatula to fold everything together.

It may seem like the mixture is too dry. Keep folding! It will come together and form a thick batter.

Step 4: Bake the bread

Scoop the batter into a 9×5 loaf pan that has been lightly greased. Use the spatula to spread the batter evenly in the pan.

Bake the bread at 375°F for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

baked cheddar jalapeno buttermilk bread in a loaf pan

Tip: The bread is wonderful while slightly warm. Cut a slice before it has completely cooled and enjoy!

How to store?

Make sure the bread has cooled completely then store it in an airtight container or ziptop plastic bag. Line the bottom of the container with a sheet of paper towel. Place the bread over the paper towel then top with another sheet of paper towel.

The bread will keep at room temperature for up to three days. Or store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.


How to reheat frozen bread?

Wrap frozen buttermilk bread in aluminum foil. Warm in a 300°F oven for 12-15 minutes until heated through.

If you like quick bread you’ll love these other bread and biscuit recipes:

cheddar jalapeno buttermilk bread on a wire rack with a slice cut out
4.48 from 80 votes

Cheddar Jalapeno Buttermilk Bread

This cheddar jalapeno bread recipe is super moist and loaded with flavor. Buttermilk gives the bread a wonderful texture and delightful flavor. With a generous amount of sharp cheddar cheese and jalapenos, this bread will knock your socks off!
Prep Time :15 minutes
Cook Time :50 minutes
Total Time :1 hour 5 minutes
Servings :10
Author :Jen Sobjack

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour, measured correctly
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 8 ounce (227 g) block sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped fine
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and white pepper. Stir with a whisk.
  • Add the cheese and jalapenos. Stir to combine.
  • Whisk the buttermilk and butter together and add it to flour mixture. Stir until well combined. (The batter will be thick.)
  • Scoop the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly with a rubber spatula.
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few dry crumbs. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn the bread out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Slice and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Block cheese works best but you can use packaged shredded cheese if needed.
  • The batter will be very thick like drop biscuit batter. Refrain from adding extra liquid.
  • If it seems like the batter is too try, just keep mixing. It will come together.
Make ahead tip:
  1. Place cooled bread in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag. Line the bottom of the container with a sheet of paper towel. Place the bread over the paper towel then top with another sheet of paper towel.
  2. The bread will keep for up to 3 days stored at room temperature or for up to 3 months stored in the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 474IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 288mgIron: 2mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Course :Dessert
Cuisine :American
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Recipe Rating




79 Comments

  1. Royanne Powers says:

    5 stars
    I added sun dried tomatoes, capers and bacon bits along with the sharp cheddar cheese. It is an amazing recipe and could be used with many different variations.

  2. 5 stars
    Is there anyway I could use milk instead of buttermilk? This recipe sounds amazing but something in buttermilk doesn’t quite agree with me ?

    1. Jen Sobjack says:

      I’ve not made this recipe with regular milk so I can’t say for sure how it will turn out. My fear is it won’t rise properly. My suggestion would be to make your own buttermilk by adding 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the 1 and 1/2 cups of regular milk. You could also use sour cream or plain yogurt in place of the buttermilk.

  3. 5 stars
    Is there anyway I could use milk instead of buttermilk? This recipe sounds amazing but something in buttermilk doesn’t quite agree with me ?

  4. 5 stars
    Made this today to go with a chicken & rice dish. What a Great bread, was easy to make and had a definite bite. Could eat the whole loaf myself with a bottle of wine, my kind of dinner.

  5. 5 stars
    Made this today to go with a chicken & rice dish. What a Great bread, was easy to make and had a definite bite. Could eat the whole loaf myself with a bottle of wine, my kind of dinner.

  6. Sometimes the jalapenos can be too hot. Could I substitute with the small can of diced green chili’s instead? They are milder.

    1. Jen Sobjack says:

      I think that would work okay as long as you drain the chiles well before adding them to the batter.

  7. This sounds so delicious! I’m a huge fan of cornbread. Would it be possible to substitute cornmeal for a portion of the flour? Everything all together sounds uber yummy and I have lots of friends that would devour it.

    1. Jen Sobjack says:

      It’s certainly possible to do that. You can use 1 and 1/2 cups of cornmeal in place of 1 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.

  8. I’m baking this bread now. I did 1.5x the recipe and everything worked out. The bread is tender, tangy and addicting.

    Good job on the recipe.

  9. What is white pepper? Can I use black instead?

    1. White pepper is simply the inner seed of the white peppercorn. It is spicier than black pepper. You can find it at most supermarkets in the spice aisle. Yes, you can use black pepper instead.

  10. I just made this “bread”. I say “bread”, only because the mixture is extremely thick like a biscuit and not a yeast dough, which I think is what most people are expecting. I did have to bake it a tad longer than the recipe called for. It just didn’t want to cook all the way thru. With all of that being said, it’s AMAZING! It taste soooo good! Who doesn’t love fresh, hot from the oven carbs! ? It’s so easy to make and much less intimidating than using yeast.

    1. Quick bread is certainly denser than yeast bread and every oven is different, so cooking time can vary. But all in all, I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for the feedback!