Easy Savory Caprese Bread (Fresh Italian Quick Bread!)

Transform the beloved flavors of a classic Caprese salad into the most delicious savory quick bread you’ve ever tasted! This Easy Savory Caprese Bread combines creamy mozzarella cheese, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic fresh basil baked into a tender, moist loaf with a golden crust. Every slice bursts with cheesy, herby, Italian flavor that transports you straight to a sunny Italian garden. This caprese bread is a no-yeast quick bread, meaning it comes together in minutes without any rising time—perfect for when you need impressive homemade bread without the wait. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility: enjoy it warm with olive oil for dipping, toasted with a fried egg for breakfast, alongside a bowl of tomato soup, or as the base for the most incredible sandwiches. It’s perfect for spring and summer when fresh basil is abundant, but honestly, you’ll crave this Italian bread all year long. Whether you’re hosting a potluck, packing a picnic, or simply want to elevate your weeknight dinner, this savory bread delivers authentic Italian-American flavor in every bite. The tender crumb studded with pockets of melted cheese and bursts of tangy tomato makes this utterly irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Savory Caprese Bread Recipe

• No yeast required making it a true quick bread ready in just 1 hour from start to finish
• Classic Caprese flavors combining mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil in bread form
• Incredibly versatile perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack any time of day
• Beginner-friendly with simple mixing methods and no special bread-making skills required
• Fresh and flavorful celebrating the garden-fresh essence of Italian cooking in rustic American-style bread

What You Need for Savory Caprese Bread

Wet Ingredients for Tender Crumb

• 2 large eggs – room temperature for best mixing; provide structure and richness
• 1/2 cup whole milk – creates moisture and tender texture in the bread
• 1/4 cup olive oil – adds Italian flavor and keeps the bread moist for days
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream – secret ingredient for extra tender, moist crumb

Dry Ingredients for Structure

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – forms the base of the bread; can substitute 1:1 gluten-free blend
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder – provides lift without yeast or rising time
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors in the bread
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder – adds subtle savory depth that complements the other ingredients

Italian-Inspired Add-Ins

• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – use freshly shredded for best melting; creates pockets of gooey cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes – in oil, drained well; provides sweet-tangy bursts of flavor
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil – must use fresh for authentic bright, herbal notes; dried won’t work
• Optional: Pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes for gentle heat

Easy Savory Caprese Bread

No-yeast quick bread loaded with mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. Tender, flavorful, and ready in 1 hour—perfect Italian-American fusion!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Cooling Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Bread, Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian, Italian American

Servings 8 slices

Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

• 8×4-inch loaf pan
• Parchment paper
• Two mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

  

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
• 1/2 cup whole milk creates moisture and tender texture
• 1/4 cup olive oil adds Italian flavor
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream secret ingredient for tender crumb

Dry Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour can substitute 1:1 gluten-free blend
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder provides lift without yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt enhances flavors
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder adds savory depth

Italian Add-Ins

• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese freshly shredded preferred
• 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained very well
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil must use fresh, not dried
• 1 pinch black pepper or red pepper flakes optional for heat

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan thoroughly and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, olive oil, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream) until completely smooth and well combined.
• In a separate medium bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder until evenly distributed.
• Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, stir gently until just combined—a few small flour streaks are okay. Do not overmix!
• Gently fold in shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained well), and fresh basil until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Optional: Brush top lightly with olive oil for extra-golden crust.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
• Let the bread cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift bread out and transfer to a wire rack.
• Let cool slightly, then slice with a serrated knife. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Notes

Use fresh basil for best flavor—dried basil won’t work. Sun-dried tomatoes in oil are essential; drain very well before using. Don’t overmix the batter for tender crumb. Brush top with olive oil before baking for golden crust. Store wrapped tightly at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for 3 days. Freezes beautifully for up to 2 months—slice first and freeze individually. For gluten-free, use 1:1 baking blend. Customize with Parmesan, feta, or pesto swirl. Perfect alongside soup, toasted for breakfast, or as sandwich base.

Keyword caprese bread, italian quick bread, mozzarella bread, no yeast bread, savory caprese bread

How to Make Easy Savory Caprese Bread (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Preparing Your Pan and Oven

1. Preheat the oven (5 minutes): Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it fully preheat for even baking. Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray, then line with parchment paper for easy removal. (Pro tip: Leave parchment paper overhanging the sides to lift the bread out easily!)

Step 2: Mixing the Batter

2. Combine wet ingredients (3 minutes): In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, olive oil, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream) until completely smooth and well combined. The mixture should be pale yellow and slightly frothy.

3. Mix dry ingredients (2 minutes): In a separate medium bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder until evenly distributed. This ensures the leavening is spread throughout the bread.

4. Combine wet and dry (3 minutes): Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients all at once. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir gently until just combined—you should still see a few small flour streaks. Do not overmix or the bread will be tough! Gently fold in shredded mozzarella, chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained well), and fresh basil until evenly distributed.

Step 3: Baking to Golden Perfection

5. Bake the bread (40-45 minutes): Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Optional: Brush the top lightly with olive oil for an extra-golden crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

6. Cool and slice (10 minutes): Let the bread cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes—this allows it to set. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bread out and transfer to a wire rack. Let cool slightly, then slice with a serrated knife. Serve warm or at room temperature!

Expert Tips for Perfect Savory Caprese Bread

Always use fresh basil for authentic bright, herbal flavor—dried basil simply doesn’t provide the same aromatic punch that makes this bread special. Choose sun-dried tomatoes in oil rather than dry-packed; they’re softer, more flavorful, and distribute better throughout the batter—just drain them very well on paper towels before chopping. Don’t overmix the batter; stir only until flour is just incorporated for the most tender crumb—overmixing develops gluten and creates tough bread. Brush the top with olive oil before baking for an extra-golden, slightly crispy crust that looks bakery-worthy. Let the bread cool properly in the pan for 10 minutes before removing; this prevents it from falling apart and ensures clean slicing.

How to Store and Serve Savory Caprese Bread

Store leftover Savory Caprese Bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best flavor and texture, reheat slices in a toaster, toaster oven, or skillet until warmed through and slightly crispy on the edges. This bread also freezes beautifully—slice it first, then freeze individual slices in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Toast frozen slices directly from the freezer! Serve this versatile bread warm with olive oil for dipping, toasted with scrambled eggs or a fried egg for breakfast, alongside tomato soup or minestrone, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and fresh tomatoes, or use as a base for gourmet sandwiches with turkey and arugula.

Savory Caprese Bread Recipe Variations You’ll Love

Make this recipe your own with delicious variations! Try Pesto Caprese Bread by swirling 2 tablespoons of pesto into the batter before baking for extra herby flavor. Create Triple Cheese Caprese Bread by adding crumbled feta and grated Parmesan alongside the mozzarella. Make Mediterranean Caprese Bread by adding 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives and substituting feta for half the mozzarella. Try Spicy Caprese Bread by increasing red pepper flakes and adding diced jalapeños. For Garlic Herb Caprese Bread, add fresh minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Love savory breads? Check out our Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread or Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia!

Frequently Asked Questions About Savory Caprese Bread

Final Thoughts on This Savory Caprese Bread Recipe

This Easy Savory Caprese Bread is proof that you don’t need yeast or complicated techniques to create bakery-worthy homemade bread. The combination of creamy mozzarella, sweet-tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil creates an irresistible Italian-American fusion that celebrates the best of both culinary traditions. It’s the perfect way to use up abundant summer basil, impress guests at potlucks, or simply elevate your everyday meals with minimal effort. The tender, moist crumb studded with melted cheese and bursts of tomato makes every slice a delight. Whether you enjoy it fresh from the oven with butter, toasted for breakfast, or alongside soup for dinner, this savory bread delivers maximum flavor with beginner-friendly simplicity. One bite and you’ll understand why this quick bread deserves a permanent place in your recipe collection! Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more amazing recipes!