This fantastic Bacon Ranch Cheesy Bread is loaded with amazing flavor and takes just minutes to make! It’s a delicious addition to any meal and can be made in the oven, air fryer or grill!
Looking for more bread recipes? Here are some reader favorites: Dinner Rolls, Jalapeño Cornbread and this Air Fryer Garlic Bread!
Cheese Bread with Bacon and Ranch
Cheese, bacon, ranch, and bread – It doesn’t get much better than this deliciously cheesy bread! This easy Cheesy Bread is most definitely on the menu anytime we need something quick and yummy to add to our dinners. It’s a favorite with my family and it’s so versatile that we make it all year long.
On brisk fall days and in the cold of winter, this bread gets popped in the oven and we enjoy it with lazy day lasagna or with a batch of spaghetti made with my slow cooker spaghetti sauce. In the summer, we throw this bread on the grill right alongside some steaks made with this amazing steak marinade or some crazy delicious chicken made up with our favorite chicken marinade.
No matter what you’re making it for, whether it’s a potluck, party, holiday or dinner this Wednesday night – everyone is going to love this easy and delicious cheese bread!
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Bread Recipe
All your favorites together! Cheese, bacon, ranch and your favorite loaf of bread! This cheesy bread is epic! You can make it in the oven or throw it on the grill – it’s the perfect addition to every meal!
- You can use whatever bread you want! I typically use a loaf of French bread because it’s so perfectly soft and fluffy, but a loaf of sourdough or your favorite type of bread can be used instead.
- There’s a secret Ingredient! There’s a secret ingredient in this recipe that is critical to the outcome: mayonnaise! Have you ever made grilled cheese sandwiches where instead of buttering the bread before grilling it you simply swap in mayonnaise instead? This is a lot like that but then you add ranch and bacon, and it’s ten times better.
- Enjoy it with anything! This cheese bread goes with pretty much any meal. If you’re ever thinking of dinner and you feel like something’s missing, all you need is this bread!
I bake my bacon in advance and it’s perfect every time! You can also try my Air Fryer Bacon!
How to Make Bacon and Cheese Bread
There are two ways to make this bread: in the oven and on the grill. I’ll take you through the steps for both methods, but check out the full recipe in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.Â
Method #1: Oven
- Preheat the broiler and cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise.Â
- Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil.Â
- Combine the mayonnaise, ranch mix, shredded cheese and bacon in a small bowl.Â
- Spread the cheese on each half of the bread.Â
- Place the bread on the baking sheet and under the broiler until it’s golden brown (about 7-9 minutes).Â
- Cool slightly before cutting it into pieces and serving.Â
If your broiler runs really hot, bake the bread for 7 to 8 minutes at 400°F and finish under the broiler if you’d like it more crispy.
Method #2: Grill
- Preheat the grill and prepare it in a way that’ll allow you to cook the bread over indirect heat.Â
- Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise and place the halves on a large piece of heavy-duty foil.Â
- Combine the mayonnaise, ranch mix, shredded cheese and bacon in a small bowl.Â
- Spread the cheese on each half of the bread
- Place the bread on the foil on the girl for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.Â
- Cool slightly before cutting it into pieces and serving.Â
Storage Information
This cheesy bread is best served immediately, but you can wrap it up in tin foil or put it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the oven, air fryer or microwave.Â
Do I have to add bacon to this recipe?
Absolutely not! You can omit or replace with diced ham or even sausage crumbles.
Can I make this in my air fryer?
Sure. To air fry, assemble as directed, cut into pieces that will fit in your air fryer and air fry for 3 to 5 minutes at 350°F. Check the bread. If the cheese isn’t bubbling, continue air frying for a minute or two at a time until done.
Variations To Try
- Consider hollowing out the bread a bit for a less “bready” cheese bread. Simply tear out a bit of the insides after cutting and proceed with the recipe as written.
- Spice it up with some red chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce mixed in with the cheese mixture.
- Try this recipe with different types of cheese for tasty flavor twists. Pepper jack will add a bit of heat while mozzarella will make the cheesy bread really stringy. Parmesan cheese adds a nice sharpness that pairs well with the bacon.
Trish’s Tips
- Use nice, fresh bread for the best flavor. French bread, sourdough, anything you like will work in this recipe.
- I use the ranch dip mix but the ranch dressing mix will work just the same – use the exact same amount.
- Add more cheese if you prefer a super cheesy cheese bread!
Enjoy With These Favorites
Bacon Ranch Cheesy Bread
Ingredients
Instructions
In the oven
- Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil. Set aside.
- Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise.14 ounces French bread
- Combine the mayonnaise, ranch, shredded cheese and bacon in a small bowl.¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ranch dip mix, 2 cups shredded cheese, 4 slices bacon
- Use a spatula to equally spread the cheese on each half of the bread.
- Place under the broiler until golden brown, about 7 to 9 minutes.
- Let cool slightly before cutting into pieces and serving.
On the grill:
- Preheat the grill. You are going to want to cook this over indirect heat.
- Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Place the halves on a large piece of heavy-duty foil. You can double up on the foil if you’d like.14 ounces French bread
- Combine the mayonnaise, ranch, shredded cheese, and bacon in a small bowl.¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ranch dip mix, 2 cups shredded cheese, 4 slices bacon
- Use a spatula to equally spread the cheese on each half of the bread.
- Place on the grill over indirect heat for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Let cool slightly before cutting into pieces and serving.
Notes
Bacon: You can can pan fry the bacon or make baked bacon or even use air fryer bacon.
If your broiler runs really hot, bake the bread for 7 to 8 minutes at 400°F and finish under the broiler if you’d like it more crispy.
To Air Fry: Assemble as directed, cut into pieces that will fit in your air fryer and air fry for 3 to 5 minutes at 350°F.
Nutrition
Originally published May 29, 2016.
Paula Chapin says
Do you use the ranch mix dry or made by the instructions on the package?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Just the dry mix, nothing else.
Kati says
All your recipes are great. The pic’s made us so hungry, I had to try it but only had shredded smokey bacon white cheddar cheese. Still used regular bacon (can’t have too much bacon) and we ate all the bread and forgot about the pasta.
Judy says
We don’t eat bacon very often so I use the bagged stuff when a recipe screams for it. In the deep south we have Bryan’s as well as store brands and it’s actually pieces of bacon instead of crumbs.
ivory says
wow, mayo? interesting. yet, this pizza looks yummy!
Kevin says
I loved the recipe Trish, the only downside is that i don’t eat bacon. I will try it with meat and see. Also the quality of the photos are simply amazing, can you please tell me which camera you are using? Thanks for sharing Trish, I love your other posts as well.
Selina Owen says
This was very good and easier to make than the instructions made it sound. I made it as written. However, I think I cut the bread too deep. I think it would have looked nicer and been easier to pull apart had I kept made the slices a little more shallow. Nevertheless, it smelled great while cooking and tasted great. I will make this again.
Thanks for sharing Trish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Selina! The recipe really couldn’t be any easier 🙂 It sounds like you cut the bread before baking – like a pull-apart bread. That’s not what I did. I cut into slices afterwards. Glad you enjoyed it!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
That sounds like a fun weekend! What yummy bread too!