Jamie Oliver Herby Cheese Soda Bread

This easy and delicious herby cheese soda bread by Jamie Oliver is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. With fresh rosemary, creamy cheese, and hearty oats, it’s simple to make and ideal for serving with soups or stews. I made this for a Sunday lunch alongside tomato soup, and it was an instant crowd-pleaser. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

• 250g (2 cups) plain wholemeal flour
• 200g (1 2/3 cups) plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 50g (1/2 cup) porridge oats, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 heaped tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 4 sprigs of rosemary
• 1 large free-range egg
• 300g (1 1/4 cups) buttermilk or natural yoghurt
• 100g (1 cup) Red Leicester or Cheddar cheese
• Olive oil

How To Make Jamie Oliver Herby Cheese Soda Bread

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the wholemeal flour, plain flour, porridge oats, bicarbonate of soda, and a level teaspoon of sea salt. Give it a good stir.
2. Add Rosemary: Pick the rosemary leaves from the sprigs and chop them finely. Stir most of the chopped rosemary into the flour mixture, reserving a little for the topping.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry mix. Crack in the egg and pour in the buttermilk or yoghurt. Use a fork to bring it together, gradually incorporating the flour from the edges.
4. Form the Dough: Once a rough dough starts to form, switch to lightly floured hands and knead gently just until everything comes together. It should be soft but not sticky.
5. Incorporate the Cheese: Chop the cheese into small chunks and mix them gently through the dough. Shape the dough into a round disc about 3cm (1 inch) thick.
6. Top and Score: Sprinkle a few extra oats and a pinch of sea salt on top, pressing them in lightly. Use a sharp knife to score a deep criss-cross on the surface.
7. Air-Fry the Bread: Place the dough into the air fryer basket. Cook at 180ºC (350ºF) for 20 minutes.
8. Final Touch and Finish Baking: Rub the reserved rosemary with a teaspoon of olive oil and scatter over the top. Continue cooking in the air fryer for another 10 minutes. The bread should sound hollow when tapped and have a golden crust.
9. Cool and Serve: Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with butter, soups, or as a savory snack.

Why I Love This Recipe

This soda bread is one of those magical recipes that gives you fresh, hot bread in under an hour. The rosemary and cheese make it feel hearty and special, but it’s dead easy to whip up. It’s perfect with soups, or just torn apart warm and dipped in olive oil.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t overwork the dough—mix until just combined to keep it tender
• Swap the cheese for whatever you have—Blue cheese or Gruyère work great
• Score deeply so it bakes evenly and looks beautiful
• Always preheat your air fryer for the best crust
• Try adding a handful of chopped nuts or seeds for extra crunch

How To Store This Jamie Oliver Herby Cheese Soda Bread

• At Room Temperature: Wrap loosely in a clean tea towel and eat within 24 hours for best texture.
• In the Fridge: Wrap in cling film or place in an airtight container. Keeps for up to 3 days.
• In the Freezer: Cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat in air fryer at 160ºC (320ºF) for 5-7 minutes, or in a low oven.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Can I bake this in a regular oven?
  Definitely—bake at 200ºC (400ºF) for 30-35 minutes.
• What’s a good buttermilk substitute?
  Use natural yoghurt or mix milk with a splash of lemon juice.
• How do I know it’s fully baked?
  It should sound hollow when tapped underneath and feel firm on the outside.
• Can I make it gluten-free?
  Try using a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the loaf)

• Calories: 286
• Total Fat: 19.4g
• Saturated Fat: 7.6g
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.3g
• Sugars: 23.6g
• Protein: 28.4g

Try More Jamie Oliver Recipes:

• Jamie Oliver Kimchi Coleslaw
• Jamie Oliver Tomato And Feta Salad
• Jamie Oliver Runner Bean Chutney
• Jamie Oliver Pizza Dough Without Yeast