bread machine recipes always come to my rescue. Ever had a craving for delicious, fresh bread but didn’t want to deal with all the kneading and guesswork? Same. I started with some sweet stuff, like this bread machine cinnamon swirl bread (so good with morning coffee) and not to start a fight, but you gotta try hawaiian sweet bread machine recipe if you want something super soft. Making Italian Herb and Cheese Bread at home is honestly the closest I get to that five-star bakery aroma in my own kitchen. Not fancy or hard, promise.
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What ingredients are needed for homemade bread dough?
Alright, let’s get real for a sec. Store-bought bread is fine—ish. But homemade bread dough? Game changer. Especially for bread machine recipes. You pretty much need just a few things you likely already have. Grab:
- Bread flour (Yep, it’s better than all-purpose for fluffiness)
- Warm water (not hot, not cold, think “bathwater”)
- Olive oil (the nice stuff with some bite)
- Active dry yeast (check the package date, trust me)
- Sugar (a smidge)
- Salt (don’t skip it)
- Herbs—like rosemary, basil, oregano (fresh or dried, but dry won’t go bad in two days)
- Your favorite cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, asiago—go wild or mix ‘em)
Oh, and a little patience. Oh, and don’t forget, you’ll want the yeast on TOP of the flour, not touching salt or water. Weird but it matters.
Why use a bread machine?
I get it—kneading dough by hand seems all romantic until you realize your arms are sore and your counters are sticky. Bread machines just, like, do everything for you. You toss in the stuff, press a button (I literally only remember “Basic” setting), and wait a couple hours. Boom. Done.
Plus, my kitchen smells like heaven. No stress about over-kneading or under-proofing. If you love easy bread recipes, a bread machine is your secret weapon. You can do other things—like, I don’t know, scroll through crazy easy 4 ingredient artisan bread ideas for next time or plan a crockpot bread adventure. Seriously, it doesn’t get any simpler.
“I never thought I could bake bread at home until I tried it in the bread machine. It’s a total game changer—honestly, the best part of my week.” – Tara, my bestie and kitchen sidekick
How to make Olive Oil Herb Bread in a bread machine
Ready? Here’s the part that’s (almost too) simple. Dump everything in your bread pan in this order: water, olive oil, salt, sugar, flour, herbs, cheese, and yeast. Be sure you follow the order–it helps make sure the yeast doesn’t get cranky and sad.
Set your machine to “Basic” or “White Bread” (unless you know what you’re doing and want to get wild with the settings). Press START. That’s…pretty much it. My machine beeps near the end so I can check, and sometimes I sprinkle extra cheese on top if I’m feeling saucy.
Let it cool a little before you slice. I know it’s tempting, but you don’t want a bunch of steam trapped inside making it gummy. And, um, it does taste like a bakery made it. That’s not an exaggeration.
Serving Suggestions for Olive Oil Bread Machine Bread
This bread is the MVP at my dinner table. Use it:
- With soup on a rainy day (tomato soup or Italian wedding, if you’re asking)
- Sliced for garlic bread—especially when you remember you bought extra garlic
- Toasted for breakfast with a little butter, or maybe smashed avocado if you’re feeling “health”
- Dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, like you’re at a cute Italian bistro
If you want to go next level, try a grilled cheese using this as your base. Or check out these wild ideas—garlic bread grilled cheese or, heck, a garlic butter shrimp bread bowl for dinner that’ll make your family gasp.
What bread machine should I use?
Listen, I’m not sponsored or anything. But I can say I started with a cheapie model from the big box store, and it worked. If you’re only gonna bake sometimes, grab a basic one. If you fall in love (which you will), maybe get a bigger one with fancy settings like “dough only” or “crust color.”
Don’t stress over those reviews with essays—read enough to know the pan comes out easily and the paddle isn’t a nightmare to clean. Trust your gut, not ads. If you have a hand-me-down machine from your grandma, give it a shot first.
People sometimes ask me about those dual-blade machines. Worth it if you wanna bake batches for the neighbors or freeze bread. But really, almost any bread machine will get you tasty, fresh bread with minimal effort.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use regular flour instead of bread flour?
A: You technically can. Bread flour just makes it a bit fluffier and chewier.
Q: Can I add more cheese/herbs?
A: Yes! Add extra cheese or herbs, but not so much that there’s no dough left. Just eye it—no ruler needed.
Q: What do I do if my bread sinks in the middle?
A: Usually too much liquid. Try reducing water by a tiny bit next time.
Q: Can I store leftovers?
A: Totally. Keep it wrapped tight, maybe in a bag or container. It tastes best the first 2 days.
Q: How do I clean the pan?
A: Wait till it’s cool. Then wipe it with a towel and a little soap. Don’t scrape with metal.
Ready to Bake Like an Italian Nonna? (Sort Of)
So, if you’re tired of same-old store loaves, try making your own Olive Oil Herb Bread the easy way. Set it up in your bread machine, and the hardest part is waiting for that first slice. For more ideas, you’ll want to scope out this Olive Oil Herb Bread Made in the Bread Maker for variations, or join a community like Reddit’s favorite bread machine recipes for tips. If your bread turns out a bit dense, here’s how to fix it. You’ll impress yourself, maybe even the grumpy neighbor. Go for it—I believe in you!
Olive Oil Herb Bread
Ingredients
Bread ingredients
- 1 cup Warm water Should feel like ‘bathwater’
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil Use a good quality oil
- 1 teaspoon Sugar A small amount for yeast activation
- 1 teaspoon Salt Essential for flavor
- 3 cups Bread flour Preferred for fluffiness
- 2 teaspoons Active dry yeast Make sure it’s fresh
Herbs and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Mixed herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano) Can use fresh or dried
- 1 cup Your favorite cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, asiago) Feel free to mix
Instructions
Preparation
- Add all ingredients to the bread machine pan in the following order: warm water, olive oil, salt, sugar, bread flour, herbs, cheese, and active dry yeast. Be mindful to keep yeast on top of the flour.
- Set your bread machine to the ‘Basic’ or ‘White Bread’ setting.
- Start the machine and let it run its course.
Finishing Up
- Once the machine beeps, let the bread cool before slicing to prevent gumminess.
- Serve and enjoy!
