If you’re anything like me, there are days when you want the cozy comfort of homemade bread—without the kneading, rising, and hours of waiting. That’s exactly where this Caprese Quick Bread comes in. It brings all the bright, fresh flavors of a caprese salad into a warm, hearty loaf you can whip up in just over an hour. It’s savory, cheesy, herby, and the perfect companion to just about any meal.

Honestly, the first time I made this, it was kind of an accident. I had leftover sun-dried tomatoes, half a ball of mozzarella, and some basil that was on its last leg. I threw everything into a quick bread batter, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best. And let me tell you—this recipe has been on repeat ever since. Whether you’re looking for something to serve alongside a tomato soup, or just want a slice toasted with a little olive oil, this bread is it.

This no-yeast bread is super beginner-friendly, doesn’t require any fancy equipment, and is almost impossible to mess up. Plus, it’s a guaranteed hit for anyone who loves those rich Mediterranean flavors. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
3 large eggs
½ cup whole milk
⅓ cup olive oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella or cubed fresh mozzarella
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prep the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. You’ll need a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan for this recipe. Either grease it well with a little olive oil or butter, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later. Personally, I like using parchment—it makes cleanup way easier.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

This gives the bread its base and just enough seasoning to let the savory ingredients shine without overpowering them.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat your 3 eggs until they’re well combined. Then add in:

½ cup whole milk
⅓ cup olive oil

Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth. The olive oil adds great flavor and keeps the bread super moist.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently stir until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix here—a few lumps are totally fine. Overmixing can make your bread dense or tough, and we want it soft and tender.

Step 5: Add the Caprese Goodness

Now for the fun part! Fold in:

1 cup shredded or cubed mozzarella
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Try to distribute the ingredients as evenly as possible so that every slice gets a bit of everything.

At this point, your kitchen should already smell amazing, even before the bread hits the oven. The mix of herbs and cheese in the batter is just so inviting—it’s hard not to sneak a little taste!

Welcome back! Now that your batter is ready and bursting with savory goodness, it’s time to bake this beautiful loaf to golden perfection. This next part covers baking, cooling, serving, and some great tips to make this recipe your own.

What I love most about this Caprese Quick Bread is how versatile it is. Serve it warm straight out of the oven, slice it for brunch with a salad, or even use it as a side for your favorite pasta dinner. And trust me, once your home starts filling up with the smell of basil and melted cheese, you’re going to have a hard time waiting for it to cool.

Let’s get into the final steps of baking and some easy ways to tweak this recipe based on what you have in your kitchen.

Step 6: Pour and Smooth the Batter

Grab your prepared loaf pan and pour the batter in. Use a spatula to gently spread it out evenly and smooth the top. You don’t need to pack it down or press too hard—just a nice even layer so it bakes uniformly.

If you want a little extra visual appeal, you can sprinkle a tiny bit of shredded mozzarella or Parmesan on top before baking. It’ll give the loaf a lightly crisp, cheesy top that’s seriously irresistible.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place your loaf in the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Ovens can vary, so start checking around the 45-minute mark. You’ll know it’s done when:

The top is a lovely golden brown
A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay, but no wet batter)

If the top starts browning too quickly before the inside is fully baked, loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Once it’s done, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps the structure set and makes it easier to remove. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely—or, if you’re like me, slice into it while it’s still a little warm.

The mozzarella will be melty, the edges slightly crisp, and the basil and sun-dried tomato flavors will come through beautifully.

Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy It

Caprese Quick Bread is incredibly flexible when it comes to how you serve it. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy it:

With a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic glaze – A touch of extra virgin olive oil or a thick balsamic drizzle really brings out the Mediterranean flavors.
Toasted for breakfast – Slice and toast it in a skillet or toaster oven, then top with a poached egg or avocado.
As a side with soup or pasta – It pairs beautifully with tomato basil soup, creamy pasta, or even a light salad.
Turn it into savory French toast – Sounds wild, but it totally works. Dip slices in egg and pan-fry for a twist on brunch.

Simple Swaps & Additions

This bread is delicious as written, but here are a few easy variations if you want to switch things up:

Cheese Swap: Don’t have fresh mozzarella? Shredded mozzarella or even a blend of Italian cheeses works great. You could also try provolone or fontina for a richer flavor.
Tomato Options: If you’re out of sun-dried tomatoes, you can use oven-roasted cherry tomatoes or sautéed grape tomatoes. Just make sure they’re not too watery.
Herb Variations: No fresh basil? Use 1 tablespoon of dried basil or swap in fresh oregano or thyme.
Add-ins: A handful of chopped olives, a few tablespoons of pine nuts, or even some caramelized onions can add a fun twist.

You can really make this recipe your own by using what you have on hand. The base batter is forgiving and flavorful enough to carry a lot of different combinations.

By now, your kitchen has probably been filled with the delicious aroma of cheese, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes—and hopefully, you’ve had a warm slice or two (or three!). Whether you’re serving it fresh out of the oven or saving it for later, this Caprese Quick Bread is one of those recipes you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Before we wrap up, let’s go over some of the most common questions you might have. Whether you’re wondering about substitutions, storage, or how to make this bread gluten-free, I’ve got you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Yes, you can! If you don’t have fresh basil, you can substitute it with 1 tablespoon of dried basil. The flavor will be a little different—less vibrant, more earthy—but still delicious.

2. What kind of mozzarella works best?

Both shredded mozzarella and cubed fresh mozzarella work great in this recipe. If you prefer gooey pockets of cheese, go with fresh mozzarella cut into cubes. Shredded cheese will melt more evenly throughout the loaf.

3. Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can bake the bread a day ahead and store it in the fridge, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Reheat slices in a toaster oven or warm them in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked texture.

4. Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes! Once the bread has cooled completely, wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature or warm it in the oven.

5. Can I make this gluten-free?

You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Keep in mind that gluten-free flours can vary, so the texture might be slightly different, but it should still work well.

6. Why is my bread dense or gummy?

This usually happens when the batter is overmixed. Be sure to stir the wet and dry ingredients just until no streaks of flour remain. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh—expired leavening agents can affect the rise and texture.

7. What should I serve this with?

This bread goes great with soups like tomato basil or minestrone, or alongside pastas like spaghetti or lasagna. It’s also perfect on a brunch table next to eggs and a light salad.

Final Thoughts: A Savory Staple You’ll Come Back To

Caprese Quick Bread is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is secretly super easy. It’s the kind of thing you can throw together when company’s coming or just because you want something a little special on a weeknight. With its bold, fresh flavors and soft, moist texture, every slice is packed with comfort and flavor.

It’s also endlessly customizable—swap out the herbs, switch up the cheese, or toss in a few extras like olives or roasted garlic. You really can’t go wrong.

Caprese Quick Bread