Bread Cheese Guide
Bread Cheese: Wisconsin's Oven-Baked Cheese & How to Heat It
Juustoleipa, baked cheese, oven-baked cheese: the cheese you heat instead of melt. What it is, how to cook it four ways, & the flavors worth trying.
400°FAir fryer, about 4 minutes a side
5 Min a SideIn a dry, hot skillet
9 FlavorsFrom Original to Buffalo Wing
Serve HotCrisp outside, soft & squeaky inside
What Bread Cheese Is
What Is Bread Cheese?
Bread cheese is a mild, squeaky cheese that's baked or toasted during making, so it gets a golden, bread-like crust. It comes from Finland, where it's called juustoleipa, "cheese bread," & was traditionally made with cow, goat or even reindeer milk. Wisconsin cheesemakers adopted it & made it their own.
The magic is that it doesn't melt. Heat it & it browns & softens but holds its shape, so you can grill it, pan-sear it or air fry it like a steak. Our Original Oven-Baked Cheese is what Wisconsin calls Wisconsin bread cheese.
For the history & how it's made, start with what is baked cheese. Our case for oven-baked cheese as a Wisconsin classic, & the baked cheese worth trying roundup, show where it fits on the table. Every flavor lives in our baked cheese collection.
Key Takeaways
- Bread cheese, oven-baked cheese & juustoleipa are the same family of cheese.
- It holds its shape over heat, so you can grill it without a mess.
- Air fry at 400°F for about 4 minutes a side, or brown it in a dry skillet.
- Always serve it hot; drizzle with honey or maple syrup for salty-sweet.
- Ours comes in nine flavors, from Original to Bacon to filled with aged cheddar.
How to Heat It
Four Ways to Cook Bread Cheese
Cut it to size first. Every method ends the same way: golden outside, soft & squeaky inside.
Air fryer
Our favorite400°F for about 4 minutes a side. Comes out perfect every time.
Skillet
No oil neededPreheat a nonstick pan to medium-high. Add the cheese to the dry pan & brown about 5 minutes a side.
Grill
On foilSet the cheese on foil over the grill for 5 to 10 minutes, until it glistens.
Microwave
In a hurryHigh for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Softer, no crust, still delicious.
Prefer the oven? 400 to 425°F works well; watch the last few minutes, because it goes from golden to overdone fast. Our guide on how to bake oven-baked cheese covers timing, & these cheese baking tips every home cook should know help with crust & presentation.
Getting it wrong usually means the wrong temperature or walking away. Read up on common cheese baking mistakes, & how to unlock deep, melty flavor in every dish you bake.
The Lineup
Nine Flavors of Oven-Baked Cheese
Same squeaky, buttery base, nine ways. Each 6 oz slab serves a few people as an appetizer.
Also in the lineup: Garlic, Italiano, Chipotle, Buffalo Wing & filled with Aged Parmesan. Can't pick? The The Oven-Baked Essentials Bundle covers the top sellers, & the The Oven-Baked Big Bundle has every flavor.
Grilling Cheese
The Cheeses You Can Actually Grill
Most cheese slides through the grates. A few are built for direct heat because they're firm, low in moisture & hold their shape: halloumi, paneer, queso para freir & Wisconsin's own bread cheese.
Our grilling cheese countdown ranks nine of them, & the grillable cheese guide compares textures & flavors. Here's what cheese can you actually grill & what never to put on the grates, our pick of the best cheeses to grill this summer, & the long-form guide to grilling cheese gold.
1
Heat the grill to medium
About 400°F. Too hot & the outside chars before the inside warms.
2
Cut thick planks
Thicker pieces hold together & turn easily.
3
Use foil or a hot, clean grate
Foil is foolproof. Straight on the grate works if it is clean & oiled.
4
Grill until it glistens
5 to 10 minutes on foil. Serve right away.
Serve It
What to Serve With Bread Cheese
Sweet, savory or spicy: bread cheese takes a dip as well as a drizzle.
Salty-sweet
The Wisconsin wayWarm Original or Bacon with maple syrup, honey or Hot Honey Drizzle. Fruit jams & Wild Berry Drizzle work too.
Dips
Flavor by flavorMarinara with Italiano, ranch with Garlic or Chipotle. The full baked cheese dip chart matches every flavor.
Skewers
Party readyWarm cubes, cherry tomatoes & basil. Our oven-baked cheese caprese skewers put a hot spin on caprese.
Cooking it into dinner instead? Bread cheese holds its shape where other cheeses run, so it's a different tool from the melters in ourmelting cheeseguide.
Keep Reading
What Is Oven-Baked Cheese? From Nordic Tradition to Wisconsin TablesRead
Oven-Baked Cheese: A Wisconsin Classic You'll Want to TryReadBaked Cheese Worth Trying: Comfort Food with a Gourmet TwistReadHow to Bake Wisconsin Artisan Oven-Baked Cheese: A Simple Guide for Perfect ResultsReadCheese Baking Tips Every Home Cook Should Know: Gardner's Wisconsin Cheese GuideReadCommon Cheese Baking Mistakes & How to Avoid ThemReadBaking Cheese: How to Unlock Deep, Melty Flavor in Every DishRead
Top 9 Types of Grilling Cheese You Need to Try: Gardner's Edition!Read
Ultimate Guide to Grillable CheesesRead
What Cheese Can You Actually Grill?Read
The Best Cheeses to Grill This Summer (Without the Melty Mess)Read
Your Guide to Grilling Cheese GoldRead
The Bread Cheese Library
Every oven-baked & grilling cheese guide we've written. Scroll each row sideways.
What Bread Cheese Is Start here
What Is Oven-Baked Cheese? From Nordic Tradition to Wisconsin TablesReadOven-Baked Cheese: A Wisconsin Classic You'll Want to TryReadBaked Cheese Worth Trying: Comfort Food with a Gourmet TwistReadHow to Heat It Bake, sear & air fry
How to Bake Wisconsin Artisan Oven-Baked Cheese: A Simple Guide for Perfect ResultsReadCheese Baking Tips Every Home Cook Should Know: Gardner's Wisconsin Cheese GuideReadCommon Cheese Baking Mistakes & How to Avoid ThemReadBaking Cheese: How to Unlock Deep, Melty Flavor in Every DishReadGrilling Cheese Built for the grill
Top 9 Types of Grilling Cheese You Need to Try: Gardner's Edition!ReadUltimate Guide to Grillable CheesesReadWhat Cheese Can You Actually Grill?ReadThe Best Cheeses to Grill This Summer (Without the Melty Mess)ReadYour Guide to Grilling Cheese GoldReadServe It Recipes & dips
Bread Cheese FAQ
Your Questions, Answered
The oven-baked cheese questions we hear most.
What is bread cheese?
A mild, squeaky cheese that is baked or toasted during making, giving it a golden crust. It holds its shape when heated, so you grill or pan-sear it instead of melting it.
Is bread cheese the same as juustoleipa?
Yes. Juustoleipa is the Finnish name, meaning "cheese bread." Wisconsin makers call it bread cheese, baked cheese or oven-baked cheese.
How do you heat bread cheese?
Air fry at 400°F for about 4 minutes a side, brown it in a dry skillet about 5 minutes a side, grill it on foil for 5 to 10 minutes, or microwave it for 30 to 60 seconds.
Does bread cheese melt?
No. It softens & browns but keeps its shape, which is why it is a favorite for grilling.
What do you eat with bread cheese?
Maple syrup, honey or a fruit jam for salty-sweet, or marinara & ranch for savory. Serve it hot.
Can you grill bread cheese?
Yes. Cut it into planks, set it on foil over a medium grill, & cook 5 to 10 minutes until it glistens.
Is bread cheese like halloumi?
Both are grilling cheeses that hold their shape. Halloumi is saltier & brined; bread cheese is milder & buttery with a toasted crust.
What does oven-baked cheese taste like?
Buttery & mild with a squeaky, chewy bite, a little like warm cheese curds with a toasted edge.
How many flavors of oven-baked cheese does Gardner's make?
Nine: Original, Bacon, Garlic, Italiano, Chipotle, Jalapeno, Buffalo Wing, & two filled versions with aged cheddar or aged parmesan.
Do I serve oven-baked cheese hot or cold?
Hot. Heat it right before serving for the crisp outside & soft middle.
Keep Exploring
More Guides from Gardner's
Melting Cheese GuideThe melt chart & the best cheese for every dish.Read the guideCheese Curd Recipe GuideFried, air fryer, poutine & more ways to cook curds.Read the guideHow to Make a Charcuterie BoardThe board formula, amounts by guest count & seasonal ideas.Read the guideGifts for Cheese LoversGift boxes by person, budget & occasion, plus subscriptions.Read the guide
Heat It, Don't Melt It
Family-owned in central Wisconsin. Nine flavors of oven-baked bread cheese, shipped cold-packed & ready for the air fryer.
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