The Best Kind of Messy
This bread is a happy mess. The cheese bubbles over. The bacon gets crispy. Your fingers will be buttery. I think that is the best part. Food you eat with your hands always tastes better.
I first made this for my grandkids after a snowy day. They came in with red cheeks and big appetites. The whole loaf disappeared in minutes. I still laugh at that. It makes me so happy to see people enjoy food I make.
A Little Story About Bacon
My husband, Tom, used to sneak pieces of bacon. I would turn around and a slice would be gone. He said it was for “quality control.” Now I always cook one extra piece for the cook. Or for a hungry husband.
That is my mini-anecdote for you. It is a small thing. But it matters. These little habits make a kitchen feel like a home. Food is about more than just eating. It is about taking care of each other.
Why This Recipe Works
The butter mixture is the secret. It soaks into the bread. It makes it golden and rich. The mustard is not strong. It just adds a nice little tang. Doesn’t that smell amazing when it bakes?
Fun fact: Melting the butter first helps it get into every little nook. This is why the bread gets so crispy on the outside. It stays soft and cheesy on the inside. That contrast is just perfect.
Your Turn to Share
What is your favorite food to eat with your hands? Is it pizza? A big sandwich? Tell me about it. I love hearing your stories.
This recipe is great for a crowd. It is fun to pull apart and share. Do you think you will make it for your family? Or maybe for some friends? Let me know how it goes.
The Simple Joy of Making
You do not need to be a chef. This recipe is easy. Slicing the bread is the hardest part. Just go slow. Do not cut all the way through the bottom. It is okay if you make a mistake. It will still taste wonderful.
This is another reason this matters. Cooking should not be scary. It is a way to be creative. It is a way to show love without using any words. What is one recipe that makes you feel proud?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soft french bread | 1 (16-ounce) loaf | Not a baguette |
| Salted butter, melted | 1/2 cup | |
| Prepared yellow mustard | 2 teaspoons | |
| Dried chives | 1 teaspoon | |
| Sliced Swiss cheese | 8 oz | |
| Thin bacon | 5 to 6 slices |
My Cheesy Swiss Bacon Bread
Oh, this bread takes me back. My grandson calls it “the bacon blanket.” I still laugh at that. It is perfect for a game day or a cozy family supper. The smell fills your whole house with warmth. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It is much easier to make than it looks. Let me show you how.
Step 1: First, get your oven nice and hot. Set it to 400°F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup so simple. I learned that the hard way after scrubbing a pan for an hour.
Step 2: Now, let’s make the yummy butter. Mix your melted butter, mustard, and chives in a little bowl. Whisk it all together. It makes a lovely, savory sauce. Set this aside for a moment.
Step 3: Here is the tricky part. Take your soft French bread. Slice it into about 16 pieces. Do not cut all the way through the bottom! (My first loaf fell right apart. Keep that bottom crust intact!).
Step 4: Place the loaf on your pan. Use a brush to spread the butter inside every slice. Get both sides nice and coated. This is what makes it so rich and golden.
Step 5: Time for the cheese and bacon. Tuck a half-slice of Swiss cheese between each cut. Then, drape a little strip of bacon on top of each bread slice. Sweet or smoky bacon? Share below!
Step 6: Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes. You will know it is done when the bacon is crisp. The cheese will be all bubbly and melted. Let it cool just a bit before you tear into it.
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
Three Tasty Twists
This recipe is wonderful as it is. But you can also play with it. I love to change things up depending on who is visiting. Here are a few ideas my family enjoys.
Pizza Party: Swap Swiss for mozzarella. Add a tiny spoonful of pizza sauce in each slit.
Everything Bagel: Use cream cheese pieces and top with everything bagel seasoning. So good!
Herb Garden: Skip the bacon. Add fresh chopped rosemary and a sprinkle of garlic powder.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Masterpiece
This bread is a star all on its own. But it loves good company. I like to serve it with a simple tomato soup for dipping. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is also perfect. It cuts through the richness.
For drinks, a cold glass of apple cider is just right. For the grown-ups, a pale ale pairs wonderfully. The bubbles are a nice contrast. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Cheesy Swiss Bacon Bread Fresh
This bread is best eaten right away. The crust stays wonderfully crisp. But I know you might have leftovers.
Let the bread cool completely first. Then wrap it tightly in foil. You can keep it in the fridge for two days.
I once tried to freeze a warm loaf. It got soggy when I thawed it. Learning to wait was a good lesson for me.
You can also freeze it for a month. Wrap it well in plastic wrap first. This is great for busy weeks.
Reheat slices in a 350°F oven for ten minutes. This brings back the crispy texture. A microwave will make it soft.
Storing food well saves money and time. It means a tasty snack is always ready. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Bread Problems
Sometimes the bread can tear when you slice it. Using a serrated knife helps a lot. Saw gently back and forth.
I remember when my butter mixture was too thick. It did not brush on smoothly. Just warm it up a little bit.
If your bacon is not crispy, it needed more time. Ovens can cook differently. Just bake it for five more minutes.
Fixing small issues builds your cooking confidence. You learn how to make things just right. This makes the food taste better too.
Fun fact: The mustard is not just for flavor. It also helps the butter stick to the bread!
Every cook runs into little troubles. That is how we learn. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free french bread loaf. The method is exactly the same.
Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: You can prepare it a few hours early. Keep it covered in the fridge until you bake it.
Q: What if I don’t have Swiss cheese?
A: Provolone or mozzarella cheese work nicely too. Use what you have in your fridge.
Q: Can I make a smaller loaf?
A: Of course. Just use half of all the ingredients. Bake it for a little less time.
Q: Any other fun additions?
A: A sprinkle of garlic powder is lovely. Add it to the butter mix. Which tip will you try first?
My Kitchen Is Always Open
I hope you love making this cheesy bacon bread. It always makes my kitchen smell wonderful. I love sharing these recipes with you.
If you give it a try, I would love to see it. Your photos make my day. You can share them with all of us.
Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see your beautiful creations. Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.
Cheesy Swiss Bacon Bread
Description
A delicious and savory homemade loaf filled with melted Swiss cheese and crispy bacon, perfect as an appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or several layers of parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, mustard, and chives. Set aside.
- Slice bread into about 16 1-inch pieces being cautious about not cutting all the way through the bottom of the bread.
- Place the bread on the prepared pan. Using a pastry brush or spoon, spread the butter mixture on both sides of each slice of bread.
- Cut Swiss cheese in half and place one piece in between each of the bread slices.
- Cut bacon strips in half and then cut each half in half lengthwise – giving you 4 pieces of bacon from each slice. Place a strip on top of each slice of bread.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is melted.
Notes
- If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.