Elevate your baking game with this savory Caramelized Onion & Spinach Olive Oil Quick Bread. This moist, flavorful bread combines the richness of caramelized onions, the freshness of spinach, and the depth of olive oil, making it a perfect choice for brunch, a side dish, or an afternoon snack. With its delicate herb seasoning and cheesy undertones, it’s a versatile loaf that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
Ingredients:
For the Caramelized Onions:
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional, for enhanced caramelization)
For the Quick Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup packed fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Gruyere, or Parmesan)
- 1/4 cup milk (as needed, for batter consistency)
Instructions:
- Caramelize the Onions : Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with salt (and sugar, if using). Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Preheat the Oven : Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients : In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme or rosemary (if using).
- Mix the Wet Ingredients : In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream) until smooth.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients : Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chopped spinach, shredded cheese, and cooled caramelized onions. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, if the batter seems too thick (it should be a scoopable consistency).
- Bake the Bread : Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Conclusion:
This Caramelized Onion & Spinach Olive Oil Quick Bread is a delicious and savory alternative to traditional sweet quick breads. The caramelized onions bring a hint of sweetness, the spinach adds freshness, and the olive oil creates a moist, tender crumb. Perfect for pairing with soups, salads, or even a spread of butter, this bread is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection!
Caramelized Onion & Spinach Olive Oil Quick Bread
A savory quick bread featuring caramelized onions, fresh spinach, and olive oil for a moist and flavorful loaf. This Caramelized Onion & Spinach Olive Oil Quick Bread is the perfect side for soups, salads, or as a standalone snack.
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions:
- 2 medium yellow onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar optional, for enhanced caramelization
For the Quick Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary optional
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup packed fresh spinach leaves roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese cheddar, Gruyere, or Parmesan
- 1/4 cup milk as needed, for batter consistency
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions : Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with salt (and sugar, if using). Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Preheat the Oven : Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients : In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme or rosemary (if using).
- Mix the Wet Ingredients : In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream) until smooth.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients : Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chopped spinach, shredded cheese, and cooled caramelized onions. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, if the batter seems too thick (it should be a scoopable consistency).
- Bake the Bread : Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.