Cheesy Spinach and Caramelized Onion Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Homemade bread loaded with sweet caramelized onions, spicy habanero and fresh spinach makes the perfect anytime snack — especially delicious hot out of the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) spinach, packed
- 2 oz (60 g) habanero jack cheese, diced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (480 ml) all purpose flour
- 3/4 tbsp yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm water
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- In a food processor pulse spinach and cheese until large crumbles form.
- In a pan on medium heat sauté and caramelize onions. 15 minutes.
- In a stand mixer add all dry ingredients. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Add spinach, habanero cheese and onion, with mixer on speed 2, until everything is evenly coated in flour mixture.
- While on speed 2 drizzle in 1 tbsp olive oil and water until dough forms and separates from bowl.
- Preheat oven to 110 F.
- Overturn dough on floured surface and knead until dough is pillowy, pliable and not sticky.
- Transfer dough to a well-oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and put in oven to rise until doubled. 1 hour.
- Remove dough from bowl, shape and transfer to an oiled baking sheet.
- Brush bread with remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Allow bread to rise again while oven is heating.
- Bake bread for 30 minutes until shell is crisp and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the oven start at 110°F and then jump to 400°F?
The low 110°F setting is used as a warm, draft-free environment to help the dough rise for 1 hour, not to bake it. Once the dough has doubled, the oven is preheated to 400°F and the bread bakes for 30 minutes until the shell is crisp and golden brown.
What is habanero jack cheese and can I substitute it?
Habanero jack is a pepper jack-style cheese infused with habanero chili, giving the bread its spicy kick alongside the caramelized onion sweetness. If you can’t find it, a standard pepper jack or jalapeño cheddar will work in its place at the same 2 oz quantity.
Why are the spinach and cheese pulsed in a food processor before being added to the dough?
Pulsing them together breaks the spinach into smaller pieces and creates large cheese crumbles so both distribute evenly through the dough without forming wet clumps that would disrupt the gluten structure during kneading. 
