Cheesy Gluten-Free Garlic Protein Bread (No Yeast)
This Cheesy Gluten-Free Garlic Protein Bread combines a quick no-yeast bread base with irresistible garlic butter and melty mozzarella topping. Made with oat flour, almond flour, and protein-rich cottage cheese, it’s ready in under an hour, and perfect for anyone craving garlic bread with digestive-friendly ingredients!
This Cheesy Gluten-Free Garlic Protein Bread transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible artisan-style loaf without gluten or yeast. The base combines oat flour, almond flour, and protein-rich cottage cheese for amazing structure, while the garlicky, cheesy topping takes it to the next level with melty mozzarella and aromatic herbs.
I developed this recipe when my family was craving garlic bread but needed a gentler option for sensitive tummies. The bread bakes up with a perfect golden crust and fluffy interior in under an hour, with no rising time needed. My kids love pulling apart the cheesy slices, and I appreciate that it’s packed with protein from the cottage cheese base. It’s perfect alongside soups or pasta dishes, making a complete meal that’s gentle on digestion but never compromises on flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Gluten-Free Garlic Bread Recipe
- Protein-packed alternative: The cottage cheese base adds nutrition that most gluten-free breads lack.
- No waiting for dough to rise: This bread goes from mixing bowl to table in less than an hour.
- Restaurant-quality flavor: The garlic butter and melty cheese create that authentic garlic bread experience.
- Digestive-friendly ingredients: Gentle on sensitive stomachs without sacrificing amazing taste and texture.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make gluten-free cottage cheese French bread:
Oat Flour: You can make your own by blending rolled oats in a food processor until fine or use storebought.
| Options | w/ Almond Flour | w/o Almond Flour |
|---|---|---|
| Oat Flour | 1-1/4 cups Oat Flour + 1/2 cup Almond Flour | 1-1/2 cups Oat Flour |
| Brown Rice Flour | 1-1/3 cups Brown Rice Flour + 1/2 cup Almond Flour | 1-1/2 cups Brown Rice Flour |
| Gluten-Free Flour Blend | 1-1/4 cups Gluten-Free Flour + 1/2 cup Almond Flour | 1-1/2 cups Gluten-Free Flour |
| Cassava Flour | 1/2 cup Cassava Flour + 1 cup Almond Flour | Not recommended for a ‘bread’ consistency |
Almond Flour: Adds moisture and structure without the gumminess of rice flour. You can swap with sunflower seed flour for a nut-free option with similar fat content and texture.
Parmesan Cheese: Provides savory depth and helps create that crusty exterior. For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast or a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
Baking Powder: Make sure yours is fresh (less than 6 months old) or your bread may not rise.
Salt: I prefer fine sea salt, but kosher salt works well too (just use a bit more).
Cottage Cheese: The secret ingredient that adds protein, moisture, and helps achieve that tender crumb. Blend until smooth before using. You can substitute with Greek yogurt.
Egg: For an egg-free version, a flax egg (1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 Tbsp water) works surprisingly well.
Sesame Seeds: Add authentic French bread appearance and nutty flavor to the crust. You can substitute with poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or omit entirely.
Egg White: Creates that shiny, bakery-style golden crust. Brushing with olive oil or dairy-free milk works as an alternative.
For the Garlic Cheese Topping:
Butter: For dairy-free needs, use plant-based butter or olive oil.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh is best, but you can substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
Italian Seasoning: Make your own with equal parts dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary if you don’t have premixed.
Mozzarella Cheese: Creates that irresistible melty, stretchy topping. For dairy-free options, plant-based mozzarella alternatives work surprisingly well.
Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet
This recipe is naturally gluten-free but can be further modified to accommodate other dietary needs.
Gluten-Free: Already gluten-free as written, just verify your oat flour is certified gluten-free if you have celiac disease.
Dairy-Free: Replace butter with olive oil or plant butter, use dairy-free cheese alternatives, and substitute the cottage cheese with coconut or almond-based yogurt.
Vegan: In addition to the dairy-free swaps, replace the egg with a flax egg and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
💡 Pro Tip: When using dairy-free cheese, add a tiny pinch of xanthan gum to help with the melting texture.
How to Make My Cheesy Gluten-Free Garlic Bread Recipe
Here are detailed instructions for creating this cheesy gluten-free garlic bread from start to finish.
Step 1: Prepare the Cottage Cheese and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Place 1 cup cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. Add the egg and blend just until combined.
Step 2: Mix the Bread Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together 1-1/4 cups oat flour, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined.
Add the blended cottage cheese and 1 egg to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. The dough should slightly stick to your fingers when touched. If it’s too dry, add a little milk and if it’s too wet, add a little more flour.
Step 3: Shape the Bread
Pour some oil in your hands and shape the dough into a smooth loaf on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white. Brush the top of the loaf lightly with the egg white, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
Step 4: Bake the French Loaf
Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack to allow the interior to set properly. If you slice it while it’s still warm, the center can crush and become gummy.
Step 5: Prepare the Garlic Cheese Topping
in a small bowl add 1/3 cup butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix until smooth. And shred 6 ounces of mozzarella cheese and set aside.
Slice the cooled loaf of bread in half and spread the butter generously on both halves. Then divide the cheese in half and sprinkle over both loaves.
Step 6: Bake the Garlic Bread
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving to let the cheese set slightly.
Expert Recipe Tips
Blend cottage cheese thoroughly: Any lumps will affect the bread’s texture, so take the extra time to blend until completely smooth.
Bake right away: Be sure to preheat your oven so you can bake the loaf as soon as it’s shaped. If the loaf is allowed to sit out for too long before baking, the oat flour will absorb more liquid and the loaf will be dense. You can bake the bread ahead of time and store wrapped on the counter or in the fridge until you add the garlic and cheese and bake it.
Cut long loaves or individual slices: You can slice the baked loaf into two halves along the length or make individual slices before spreading the garlic and cheese on them.
Let it cool properly: Resist cutting into the bread while hot, or the inside can squish and become gummy.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Tomato soup pairing: I like to serve this alongside roasted tomato soup for dipping. You’ll love it because the acidity of the tomatoes perfectly balances the rich, garlicky bread.
- Fresh salad complement: Pair with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. This simple pairing creates a light yet satisfying meal.
- Marinara dipping sauce: Serve with warm marinara for an appetizer-style presentation. The combination of garlic bread and tomato sauce is classically delicious.
- Alongside pasta dishes: Replace traditional garlic bread with this protein-rich version. It’s perfect for soaking up extra sauce while adding nutritional value to your meal.
Do you love gluten-free protein breads? Check out more of my easy and no-yeast bun recipes:
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon Pretzel Bites (No Yeast)
- Gluten-Free Cottage Cheese French Bread (No Yeast)
- Greek Yogurt Low-Carb Bagels Everything Seasoning (No Yeast)
- Cheddar Cheese Bagels with Greek Yogurt (No Yeast)
- Oat Cottage Cheese Bread Sandwich Bun Gluten-Free
- Oat Flour English Muffins with Greek Yogurt
- Greek Yogurt Protein Naan Bread (No Yeast)
Cheesy Gluten-Free Garlic Protein Bread (No Yeast)
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups oat flour (150g)
- 1/2 cup almond flour (56g)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (30g)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cottage cheese (blended)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 egg white
Garlic Topping:
- 1/3 cup butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 pinches salt
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place 1 cup cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. Add the egg and blend just until combined.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1-1/4 cups oat flour, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined.Add the blended cottage cheese and 1 egg to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. The dough should slightly stick to your fingers when touched. If it’s too dry, add a little milk and if it’s too wet, add a little more flour.
- Pour some oil in your hands and shape the dough into a smooth loaf on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white. Brush the top of the loaf lightly with the egg white, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
- Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack to allow the interior to set properly. If you slice it while it’s still warm, the center can crush and become gummy.
- in a small bowl add 1/3 cup butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix until smooth. And shred 6 ounces of mozzarella cheese and set aside.Slice the cooled loaf of bread in half and spread the butter generously on both halves. Then divide the cheese in half and sprinkle over both loaves.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving to let the cheese set slightly.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
I made this recipe and it’s so good. Very flavourful and will make it again! Thank you Nicole.
You’re welcome, Anna! Thank you for the review 🙂
gluten free garlic bread that the family likes, glad I could find one
Thank you for the review, Penny! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it!
Finally found a garlic bread we can all eat and that doesn’t taste like cardboard!! Nicole…you’re a saint!!
Haha…thank you for the review, Simon!
I’ve been looking forward to creating this recipe for a while and I’m so excited to share it with you! 🙂
Hi. Excited to make this. Can you tell me the difference in taste and texture in using combo oat flour/almond flour vs just oat flour only?
Great question! Adding the almond flour enhances the flavor with a subtle nuttiness and softens the texture a little more.