January 6, 2026

Easy Dutch Oven Cheesy Bread

This easy Dutch oven cheesy artisan bread has a crisp golden crust, a soft cheddar-filled center, and comes together with minimal effort.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy Dutch oven cheesy artisan bread has a crisp golden crust, a soft cheddar-filled center, and comes together with minimal effort.

This Easy Dutch Oven Cheesy Bread is a simple, no-knead recipe that delivers a perfectly crisp crust with a soft, cheesy center — without any complicated steps. Made with pantry staples and baked in a Dutch oven, this rustic artisan-style bread comes together with minimal hands-on time and big homemade flavor. Sharp cheddar cheese melts right into the loaf, making it perfect for slicing warm and serving with butter, alongside soups and chili, or turning into the ultimate artisan sandwich bread!

Whether you’re baking it for a cozy family dinner, a weekend gathering, or to serve with your favorite soups, this cheesy artisan bread fits right in.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Enameled cast iron Dutch oven (5–6 qt) – The heavy lid traps steam and creates that beautiful, crackly crust that makes this bread irresistible.
Parchment paper – Makes it easy to transfer the dough into the hot Dutch oven.
Large mixing bowl – For mixing dough easily.
Measuring cups & spoons – Accurate measurements matter.

Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Favorite seasoning (I like Jack’s Gourmet) (optional — garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or everything bagel seasoning work great)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 package active dry yeast (2 & 1/4 tsp)
2 cups warm water

How to Make Easy Dutch Oven Cheesy Bread

Making Dutch oven cheesy bread is all about creating the right environment for the dough to rise and bake properly. This recipe relies on a soft, slightly sticky dough and high heat to produce a loaf with a crisp crust and tender, airy center.

Allowing the dough to rise fully is what gives the bread its light texture, while preheating the Dutch oven creates the burst of steam needed for strong oven spring. That trapped heat helps the loaf expand before forming its golden crust.

Scoring the top allows the bread to open naturally as it bakes, preventing random cracks and improving the final shape. Baking with the lid on first keeps moisture inside, while removing it near the end lets the cheese melt and the crust brown beautifully.

Once baked, a short rest before slicing helps the interior set so each slice stays fluffy instead of compressed. With a few simple techniques, this bread becomes a reliable, bakery-style loaf that’s easy to master at home.

This short, no-knead bread video shows how easy it is to make homemade cheesy artisan bread in a Dutch oven.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Easy Dutch Oven Cheesy Bread

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This easy Dutch oven cheesy artisan bread is a simple no-knead recipe with a crisp golden crust and a soft, cheesy center. Made with pantry staples and baked in a Dutch oven, this rustic cheddar bread is perfect for soups, grilled cheese, or warm slices with butter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 12 large artisan slices
Category: Bread
Method: Dutch Oven
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients (Bowl 1):

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Favorite seasoning (I like Jack’s Gourmet)
(optional – garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or everything bagel seasoning work great)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Wet Ingredients (Bowl 2):

1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
2 cups warm water

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, seasoning, and shredded cheddar cheese.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together the yeast and warm water until combined.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a sticky dough forms.
4. Lightly spray the dough with olive oil, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
5. 40 minutes into your rise, preheat the oven to 450°F, placing your Dutch oven (with lid) inside while the oven heats.
6. Turn the dough out onto parchment paper and gently shape. Cut shallow slits across the top.
7. Carefully place the parchment and dough into the hot Dutch oven. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
8. Cover with the lid and bake for 20 minutes.
9. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Serve warm with butter, our homemade garlic butter, or use slices to make garlic bread.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding other inclusions like diced jalapeños, bacon, etc.
This bread pairs perfectly with soup, chili, or as a base for garlic bread.