This Cheesy Swiss Bacon Bread is a family favorite that my mom has been making since I was a kid. A large soft loaf of French bread is sliced and coated in seasoned butter and chives and the bread is baked with Swiss cheese between each slice and savory bacon right on top. The result is a cheesy, delicious pull-apart bread that’s easy enough for a simple family supper but impressive enough for company!
This is one of those dishes that everyone always asks Mom to bring when we have potlucks and family gatherings. It’s just that good!
A few things to keep in mind:
A few things to keep in mind:The recipe calls for a large soft loaf of French bread. This isn’t like crusty baguette. It’s the large soft bread – sometimes in the grocery store it’s also labelled as Italian bread. Other breads will work, too, but this is what I always use.
Mom’s recipe didn’t call for salted butter, but I think the salt adds some great flavor. Unsalted butter will work just fine, if that’s all you have.
The dried chives could be swapped out for Italian seasoning, fresh sliced green onions, basil, etc.
Using thinly sliced bacon means the bacon will cook through in the allotted time without the bread getting too dark. Thick-sliced bacon isn’t going to cook through as quickly.
If you still find the bacon not crisp to your liking, a few minutes under the broiler should do the trick – just watch it very carefully. I actually like to broil with the oven door open so I can see it. Just be cautious that some ovens will turn off the broiler when the door is open.
Not a fan of Swiss cheese? Swap it out for your favorite sliced cheese!
Recipe Card
Cheesy Swiss Bacon Bread
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf soft french bread (not baguette)
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 8 oz sliced Swiss cheese
- 5 to 6 slices thin bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a slicone baking mat or several layers of parchment papaer or aluminum foil. (This helps to keep the bread from getting too dark on the bottom and makes cleanup easier.)
- 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.
* 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.
Sue Edens
I made this bread it has become a favorite, also had company and they wanted the recipe.
So good!
So glad y’all enjoyed it!
Melene
My mom made this every Christmas when I was a kid and we were looking for the recipe so she can make it again this year. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I hope you’ll enjoy it again!
Dorothy Dunton
Stacey – I think I could eat an entire loaf of this!! My son is 32 and usually calls me Mother, except when we are greeting or saying goodbye, then I am Momma with a hug and kiss, even in front of his friends. I am so proud of the young man he has become and I never hesitate to tell him that! I also frequently call him “baby” and he never objects! Mothers and sons share a very special bond, as you know. You are a special son and you have an amazing Mother!
Thanks, Dorothy! I could probably eat a whole loaf myself!
Maplesyrupmom
Great flavors of smokey bacon mixed with mustard. Yummy. Was a great hit.
Julia
This bread looks so great. Just make sure you tell your mother that you love her since you never know if that will be the last time you see her. I was lucky enough to be with my mother when she passed away on Dec 31 , 2003 . The last thing I said to her was I love you. It has been nine years this coming Christmas and I still miss her especially around Mother’s Day.
susan
I made the “Swiss Bacon Bread” this morning for breakfast. 2 adults and 2 teenagers devoured the big loaf. It is SO Good! I will definitely be making this again and again. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Shaun
This bread was so YUMMY! The entire family liked it. I cheated and used bread that I got from Erbert’s & Gerbert’s. YUM! Thank you for sharing the recipe. We will definitely have this again in our house.
Wonderful, Shaun! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Teresa
Do you think this would travel? I have to go to family thing and drive an hr away. I bet everyone would love this.
My Mom takes it to potlucks all the time! If you have the option to pop it under a broiler when you get where you’re going, that would be best. It’s just better if the cheese is a little gooey, but good even cold.
Lou Ann
Made this bread last night. It was amazing. My picky guys loved it.
That’s awesome, Lou Ann! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
Mary
What a great recipe..can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, Mary! I hope you enjoy it!
Tina
Sharing as you have about your relationship with your Mom was so sweet and a gift to her for sure! Moms and sons (I have 2) have a special relationship..very dear! Time spent together and phone calls are so precious to Moms!!
This bread looks amazing! My guys will love it!
Thanks, Tina. Yep, there is a special bond there!