When I was growing up, my mom used to bake savory quick breads whenever we had company coming over. She’d fold in whatever we had on hand—sometimes cheese, sometimes olives—and the smell that filled our Texas kitchen was enough to bring everyone to the table before the loaf even cooled.
This Olive, Bacon & Cheese Bread takes me right back to those days. It’s crusty on the outside, tender on the inside, and dotted with briny olives, gooey cheese, and smoky beef bacon. I love how it feels both rustic and elegant at the same time. Perfect for a quick lunch, a picnic, or sliced thick with a salad for dinner, it’s the kind of bread that turns any meal into a moment worth remembering.
What Is Olive, Bacon & Cheese Bread?
It’s a savory quick bread made without yeast, baked with flour, eggs, olive oil, beef bacon, cheese, and olives. Instead of kneading and waiting for dough to rise, you simply mix everything into a batter, pour it into a loaf pan, and bake until golden. The result? A bread that’s hearty, flavorful, and ready in just about an hour.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy – no yeast or rising time required.
- Savory & flavorful – olives, cheese, and beef bacon make every slice delicious.
- Versatile – serve as an appetizer, side, or light lunch.
- Make-ahead friendly – keeps well for days and tastes even better the next day.
- Perfect for entertaining – slice into mini bites for parties.
Tips for Making the Best Olive, Bacon & Cheese Bread
- Line your loaf pan with parchment for easy removal.
- Use a mix of black and green olives for a more complex flavor.
- Swap Swiss cheese for cheddar or Gruyère for a nuttier bite.
- Don’t overmix—gentle folding keeps the crumb tender.
- Serve warm or toast slices lightly for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 5 fl oz (15cl) white grape juice (non-alcoholic substitute for wine)
- 3 ⅓ fl oz (10cl) olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 ½ cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder (5g)
- 5 oz (150g) grated Swiss cheese or cheddar
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 ½ oz (100g) beef bacon, chopped
- 7 oz (200g) cooked beef ham, cubed
- 3 ½ oz (100g) black olives, sliced
- 3 ½ oz (100g) green olives, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk Wet Ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk grape juice, olive oil, eggs, and salt.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Sift, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Cook Onion & Bacon – Sauté onion and beef bacon in a skillet until onion is translucent. Drain and set aside.
- Prep Add-Ins – Slice olives, chop parsley, and cube the ham.
- Combine – Fold onion, beef bacon, ham, cheese, olives, and parsley into the batter. Mix gently until combined.
- Bake – Pour into a buttered and lined 9×5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 360°F (180°C) for 1 hour, until golden and set.
- Cool & Serve – Let rest before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
You Must Know
- This bread is a quick bread, no yeast needed.
- It works as both a meal and an appetizer.
- Mini loaves or muffins make great party bites.
FAQs
What cheese goes well with olive bread?
Swiss, cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella all work beautifully.
What are the three ingredients in Jamie Oliver’s bread?
Flour, water, and yeast (salt optional).
What is the name of the Italian olive bread?
Pane alle Olive.
How do you make cheese and olive bread?
Mix flour, eggs, oil, seasonings, cheese, and olives into a batter, then bake until golden.
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge: Wrap and store up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze slices up to 2 months, wrapped in parchment and foil.
- Reheat: Toast or warm in oven at 300°F until heated through.
Tools You’ll Need
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk & spatula
- Skillet
- Knife & cutting board
Conclusion
Olive, Bacon & Cheese Bread is the kind of recipe that feels both homestyle and special. The briny olives, the melty cheese, and the smoky beef bacon tucked into each slice make it a bread you’ll want to bake again and again.
I often pull a loaf from the oven when friends drop by or when I need something quick but satisfying to serve alongside a salad or bowl of soup. There’s always that moment when the knife hits the crust, and everyone leans in to see the golden slices studded with olives. It’s rustic, it’s cozy, and it makes any table feel just a little more festive.
Bake it once, and it’ll become your go-to for gatherings and quiet evenings alike. After all, nothing brings people together quite like warm bread shared at the table.
Print
Olive, Bacon & Cheese Bread: A Savory Slice of Comfort
- Total Time: 80
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings) 1x
Description
Olive, Bacon & Cheese Bread is a savory quick bread loaded with briny olives, smoky beef bacon, and gooey cheese. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or served with salad or soup.
Ingredients
- 5 fl oz (15cl) white grape juice (non-alcoholic substitute for wine)
- 3 1/3 fl oz (10cl) olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder (5g)
- 5 oz (150g) grated Swiss cheese or cheddar
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 1/2 oz (100g) beef bacon, chopped
- 7 oz (200g) cooked beef ham, cubed
- 3 1/2 oz (100g) black olives, sliced
- 3 1/2 oz (100g) green olives, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 360°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk together grape juice, olive oil, eggs, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder, then stir into wet mixture.
- Sauté onion and beef bacon until onion is translucent. Drain.
- Fold onion, bacon, ham, cheese, olives, and parsley into the batter. Mix gently.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 1 hour, until golden and set.
- Cool slightly, then remove from pan. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Wrap leftovers and store in the fridge up to 4 days. Freeze slices up to 2 months, wrapped in parchment and foil. Reheat in toaster or oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: olive bacon cheese bread, savory quick bread, olive loaf, cheesy bread recipe
