Tomato Basil Quick Bread Recipe (Made With Fresh Tomatoes)

This Tomato Basil Quick Bread recipe is great to serve with classic comfort foods such as pasta dishes, meatloaf, soups, stews and during your holiday meals. It is a quick and easy bread recipe that even the novice baker can master.

That is because it is a NO YEAST bread recipe. Instead, it is made with leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda, which allows the bread to rise as it bakes.

Therefore you can get this delicious loaf of bread made and ready to eat in a fraction of the time that it takes for standard yeast bread recipes. Although it will still take you 90 minutes from start to finish, this delicious bread is worth the wait.

Although most tomato bread recipes require tomato paste, this recipe uses fresh tomatoes. In addition, fresh basil is used to provide additional flavor in every bite.

Once the bread bakes, slice it and serve it with your favorite meal. Or use the bread as the base for a grilled cheese sandwich and serve it with a bowl of tomato soup.

However you can also use the bread as an appetizer for bruschetta or dice the bread and add it to your next charcuterie board. The possibilities are endless!

Tips For Making Quick Breads

1. Measure your ingredients accurately

Quick breads are more delicate than yeast breads, so it is important to measure your ingredients accurately. This will help to ensure that your bread turns out light and fluffy.

To Measure Flour:

• Fluff up the flour. This will help to remove any air pockets and ensure that you’re measuring a consistent amount of flour. You can fluff up the flour with a fork or a spoon.
• Spoon the flour into your measuring cup. Don’t scoop the flour directly from the bag or container, as this can pack it down.
• Level off the top with the back side of a knife. Gently scrape the top of the measuring cup wit the back side of a knife to remove any mounding flour.

2. Use fresh leavening agents

Baking soda ar lose their potency over time, so it’s important to use fresh leavening agents in your quick breads. 

• To test the freshness of your baking soda, add 1/2 teaspoon to 1/4 cup of hot water. If the mixture fizzes vigorously, your baking soda is fresh. 
• To test the freshness of your baking powder, add 1/2 teaspoon to 1/4 cup of warm water. If the mixture bubbles, your baking powder is fresh.

3. Preheat your oven early

Quick breads rise quickly, so it’s important to preheat your oven early. This will help to ensure that your bread gets into the oven as soon as the dough is prepared.

4. Don’t overmix the batter

Overmixing the batter will develop excess gluten in the dough, which will make your bread tough. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.

5. Bake Time

The bake time required will depend on both the oven that you use and the humidity in the air. Therefore it is important to check for doneness a few minutes before the stated time.

Check for doneness by using one of the methods below:

• Insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the center of the bread. If the toothpick comes out clean, or with only a few moist crumbs attached, the bread is done.
• Use a instant-read digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the bread. The bread is done when the internal temperature reaches 200-205 degrees Fahrenheit (93-96 degrees Celsius).

Steps To Making Tomato Basil Quick Bread

• Preheat oven and prepare the loaf pan

• Measure and whisk together the dry ingredients

• Dice the tomato, slice the basil and toss with the remaining ingredients

• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until mostly combined.

• Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese the batter and stir just until combined.

• Pour the tomato basil quick bread batter into loaf pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top.

• Bake loaf for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

• Allow the bread to cool in the pan at least 15 minutes before removing and serving warm.

Tips For Making Tomato Basil Quick Bread

Just like when making Homemade Chili From Fresh Tomatoes, for a more flavorful bread, use ripe, in-season tomatoes.

Feel free to add other herbs to the bread, such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary.

If you don’t have cheddar cheese, you can use any other type of shredded cheese you like.

Serve the bread warm or at room temperature. It is delicious on its own or with a side of Tomato Soup or salad.

How To Serve Tomato Basil Quick Bread

Tomato Basil Quick Bread is versatile and can be served in many different ways. Here are a few ideas:

• Breakfast: Slice the bread and then toast it. Top with a fried egg, avocado, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
• Lunch: Make a sandwich with the bread: grilled cheese, BLT and chicken/turkey sandwiches are alfavorites.
• Dinner: Serve the bread as a side to a soup or salad. Or, crumble it up and then use it as a topping for a casserole or pasta dish.

Old Fashioned Tomato Bread Recipe

* Complete recipe instructions including specific measurements, cook temperatures and times are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to read the entire article for helpful tips and tricks when making this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large tomato diced (about 2 cups)
• 1/4 cup packed fresh basil finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 and 3/4 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF, then spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray or olive oil. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

3. In another large bowl, toss together the tomato, basil, and garlic. Then add the eggs, olive oil, and milk, and toss again to coat everything.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and then stir until mostly combined. Add 1 and 1/2 cups of the cheese and continue to stir until everything is evenly dispersed. Batter will be thick.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and then spread the top evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top of the batter.

6. Bake loaf for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Allow to cool in the pan at least 15 minutes before removing and serving warm.

ENJOY!