Sharing is caring!

If you love a good crusty loaf of homemade sourdough, wait until you try this Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread. It's packed with gooey cheddar cheese and spicy jalapenos in every bite, giving classic sourdough bread a delicious savory twist.

This is the kind of bread that is amazing all on its own, but it's even better alongside a big bowl of soup or chili. And if you have leftovers, use a couple of slices to make one incredible grilled cheese sandwich!

The sharp cheddar, spicy jalapenos, and tangy sourdough are such a good combination. Plus, those little bits of cheese that make their way to the outside of the loaf get golden and crispy while the bread bakes—and those might just be my favorite part.

Why You'll Love This Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread

If you're already baking sourdough bread at home, adding jalapenos and cheddar is an easy way to change up your usual loaf.

Here's why I love this recipe:

• Loaded with flavor — Tangy sourdough, sharp cheddar, and jalapenos were made for each other.
• Easy sourdough variation — You can use your favorite basic sourdough starter and simply add the mix-ins.
• Perfect with soup and chili — This bread practically begs to be dunked into something warm and cozy.
• Makes amazing sandwiches — Try it for grilled cheese, breakfast sandwiches, or even a BLT.
• Freezer friendly — Slice it before freezing so you can grab a piece whenever you want one.

Ingredients You'll Need for Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough

For this loaf, you'll need:

• 100 grams active sourdough starter
• 350 grams warm water
• 500 grams bread flour
• 10 grams salt
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup diced jalapenos

You can use fresh or pickled jalapenos depending on the flavor you want. Fresh jalapenos give the bread a brighter, slightly spicier flavor, while pickled jalapenos add some extra tang.

If you're using pickled jalapenos, drain them really well and pat them dry before adding them to the dough. Too much extra moisture can make the dough difficult to work with.

How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread

Mix the Dough

Start with an active, bubbly sourdough starter that has recently been fed.

Add the sourdough starter and warm water to a large bowl and stir until combined.

Add the bread flour and mix until you have a shaggy dough and there are no dry patches of flour remaining.

Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rest for about 30 minutes.

Sprinkle the salt over the dough and work it in with your hands. If necessary, wet your fingers slightly to keep the dough from sticking.

Stretch and Fold

Over the next 2 hours, complete a series of stretch and folds about every 30 minutes.

To do a stretch and fold, grab one side of the dough, gently stretch it upward, and fold it over the center. Turn the bowl and repeat until you've worked your way around the dough.

As you continue the stretch and folds, you'll notice the dough becoming smoother and stronger.

Add the Jalapeños and Cheddar

You can add the cheddar and jalapeños during one of your later stretch-and-fold sessions, or add them during lamination before shaping.

Gently stretch the dough out on a lightly dampened work surface. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and diced jalapeños evenly over the dough.

Fold the dough over itself to trap all those delicious additions inside.

Don't worry if a little cheese tries to escape. Those pieces that end up on the outside will become wonderfully crispy in the oven.

Bulk Fermentation

Cover the dough and allow it to continue bulk fermenting at room temperature.

Rather than relying completely on the clock, watch the dough. You're looking for dough that has become noticeably puffier, has bubbles around the edges, and has risen approximately 50%.

The amount of time this takes will depend heavily on the temperature of your kitchen and the strength of your sourdough starter.

A warmer kitchen will speed things up, while a cooler kitchen will require more time.

Shape the Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread

Turn the fermented dough onto a lightly floured work surface.

Gently shape it into a round or oval loaf, depending on the shape of your banneton and Dutch oven.

Try to create some tension across the surface without tearing the dough.

Place the shaped loaf seam-side up into a well-floured banneton or towel-lined bowl.

Cover and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Cold proofing helps develop that wonderful sourdough flavor and also makes the dough much easier to score before baking.

Baking Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread

The next day, preheat your Dutch oven in a 450°F oven for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and turn it onto a piece of parchment paper.

Dust the top with flour if desired and score the loaf with a sharp bread lame or razor blade.

Carefully lower the bread into the hot Dutch oven.

Cover and bake for about 20 minutes.

Remove the lid, lower the oven temperature to 425°F, and continue baking for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the loaf is deeply golden brown.

Keep an eye on the cheese around the outside of the loaf. You want it beautifully browned and crispy without burning.

Transfer the bread to a cooling rack.

As tempting as it is to slice into it immediately, give the loaf at least an hour to cool. Cutting sourdough while it's piping hot can leave you with a gummy interior.

Fresh or Pickled Jalapeños?

Either one works beautifully!

Fresh jalapeños will give you a fresher pepper flavor and can make the bread a little spicier.

Pickled jalapeños have a tangier flavor that works especially well with sharp cheddar and sourdough.

For less heat, remove the seeds and membranes from fresh jalapeños before chopping them.

If your family loves things spicy, leave some of those seeds in or add a little extra jalapeño.

What Kind of Cheese Is Best?

Sharp cheddar is my favorite because its flavor really stands up to both the jalapeños and the sourdough.

For the best texture, shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese.

You can also experiment with different cheeses. Pepper Jack is fantastic if you want even more spice, while Monterey Jack gives you a milder and extra-melty loaf.

Or use a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack.:

Make Jalapeño Cheddar Grilled Cheese

If you have leftover slices, make grilled cheese!

Butter the outside of two slices and add plenty of cheese between them. Cook in a skillet until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted.

Serve it with tomato soup and you've got one seriously delicious lunch.

You can also use this bread for avocado toast. Top a toasted slice with mashed avocado, a fried egg, and a sprinkle of salt for an easy savory breakfast.

How to Store Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread

Once the loaf has cooled completely, store it at room temperature in a bread bag or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.

For longer storage, freeze it.

I like to slice sourdough before freezing it and place parchment paper between the slices. Then I can grab exactly what I need and toast it straight from the freezer.

Tips for the Best Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough

Use an active starter. Your starter should be bubbly and active before mixing your dough.

Drain your jalapeños. If you're using pickled peppers, remove as much excess liquid as possible.

Don't overload the dough. As tempting as it is to add tons of cheese, too many inclusions can make shaping difficult.

Watch the dough instead of the clock. Sourdough fermentation times can vary dramatically depending on your kitchen temperature.

Let the bread cool before slicing. This allows the interior crumb to finish setting.

Final Thoughts

This Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough Bread is the perfect loaf when you want to give your traditional homemade sourdough a little extra personality. You get the tangy flavor and chewy texture of sourdough along with pockets of melted sharp cheddar and spicy bites of jalapeño.

Bake a loaf to go with your next pot of chili, use it for an incredible grilled cheese, or just slice it up and slather it with butter.

Once you start adding cheese and jalapeños to your sourdough, you might have a hard time going back to plain bread!

Meta Description: Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough Bread is loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeños for a flavorful homemade sourdough loaf that's perfect with soup, chili, or toasted with butter.

Love Sourdough? Check these recipes out

• Sourdough Discard Bagels
• Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Loaf
• Chocolate Sourdough Bread