What Is Bread Cheese, and How Should You Eat It?

For years, if I wanted to savor the perfectly squeaky bites of my beloved Finnish leipäjuusto (bread cheese), I needed to make it from scratch. And while it’s absolutely worth it, it is a labor-intensive endeavor that takes the majority of a day to execute properly. This traditional Finnish cheese is so delicious that I’ve been known to tuck a wheel in my carry-on just before departing from the Helsinki airport to return home to the United States.

Imagine my surprise when, over the past few years, an American version of bread cheese started popping up in grocery stores! Squares of this firm, toasted cheese can now be found in refrigerator cases at grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and now Aldi. I am thrilled that my beloved treat from Finland has made its way to my local markets.

What is bread cheese?

Bread cheese is a traditional delicacy from the South Ostrobothnia region in Finland. My dad’s family is from this part of the country, and I have countless memories of nibbling on pieces of leipäjuusto and enjoying an afternoon coffee while sitting around the kitchen table at our family dairy farm. Leipäjuusto literally translates to “bread cheese” in English, but you might also see it referred to as “squeaky cheese” stateside because of the signature sound it makes when you take a bite (just like cheese curds!)

Historically, this mildly flavored cheese was made from cow’s milk colostrum, but it can also be prepared with regular cow’s milk. The milk is curdled and then squeezed and pressed into a round disk. The disk is then broiled in a hot oven or toasted near an open flame to achieve the signature char marks on the surface. The cheese disk can be cut into wedges, but in our family it’s often cut into small, bite-sized diamond shapes. In the U.S., bread cheese is most frequently sold in small squares rather than round disks, and can be flavored with garlic, bacon, jalapeno and even cranberry.

How are you supposed to eat bread cheese?

Bread cheese can be enjoyed cold or warm. In Finland, you’ll often see pieces of bread cheese served with a few fresh cloudberries on top, or a spoonful of cloudberry jam when fresh berries aren’t in season. It’s often enjoyed with coffee, and some folks even dip their bread cheese in coffee before taking a bite. A classic Finnish afternoon coffee break might include a few pieces of bread cheese, slices of Finnish cardamom braid bread (known as pulla), Finnish flatbread or rye crackers, and maybe some Finnish cookies.

In the U.S., consumers have discovered new and exciting ways to enjoy this squeaky cheese. Because it holds up to high heat, it can be cooked, air-fried and even grilled in ways other cheeses cannot. Cubes of bread cheese are delicious in salads, and they serve a unique role as both cheese and croutons in one fantastic bite.

How is bread cheese different from Halloumi?

Bread cheese is a mild, buttery tasting cheese from Finland. Halloumi, on the other hand, hails from Cyprus, and is a bit more salty and tangy. Both cheeses are firm and have a high melting point, but bread cheese takes on a silky texture when warmed, whereas Halloumi can develop a crunchy crust when grilled.