Easy Beer Bread

This 5-ingredient beer bread (salt not included) is soft on the inside, slightly sweet, and has an irresistible buttery, crunchy top. You will have this homemade simple recipe on repeat I promise. It’s the most perfect quick bread to serve with soups, chili’s and especially my homemade Guinness Beef Stew (Irish Beef stew) because beer on beer is always a good thing. This one-bowl recipe is simple to make and only takes minutes to prep before its in the oven. It is a great one to get the kids involved with because its just that easy. No need to fuss with yeast or kneading. The best beer bread I have had and a classic recipe for it. Variations and add ins are welcome to this simple staple recipe for beer bread.

What is Beer Bread?

Many wonder how beer bread works. Beer bread is a savoury quick bread that uses the carbonation in beer for its leavening agent along with the baking powder salt combo. Like other quick bread recipes you make beer bread without yeast, a shortcut that makes it especially easy to whip up in no time. Beer bread is buttery and moist and the inside crumb is sturdy but tender. The outside especially the top if it is even more buttery and craggy - the best part. Does beer bread taste like beer? It does but how much it does depends on what beer you use. So I always recommend using a beer you love. What happens to the beer when it bakes in the bread? Most if not all of the alcohol evaporates or cooks off during the baking process. It tastes subtly sweet a bit and is taste buttery and a slight chewy texture. It is delicious warm or even toasted slathered with some butter and even drizzled with some honey.

Choosing the best beer for beer bread

When it comes to choosing the beer, most people will say to just use what you like. But there are a few things to keep in mind. A hoppy beer will result in an extremely bitter loaf of bread. That said, you do want the flavor of the beer to come through, so choosing something too light won’t add much flavor either. I prefer brown ale, lager, and even some porters. You could have some fun and try a flavoured beer, cider, a light beer, or something a little sweeter with caramel notes. The milder the beer the lighter the flavour in the bread feel free to use different brews and even flavoured ones to change the flavour of your beer bread. You can even go deep and stout using a Guinness beer here as well, but it will come with a very strong bitter flavour in the bread - but if you like Guinness that might be just what you are looking for

Beer Bread Recipe Ingredients

This is a hearty easy beer bread recipe with a thick buttery and crunchy top. Its made with very basic pantry ingredients. Here is what you will need:

• Flour: All purpose flour is what I used. Feel free to substitute some of it with whole wheat flour if you would like to boost the fiber or you can make it GF with a good quality gluten free 1-1 all purpose flour. If you don’t have any all-purpose flour, self rising flour will work – just omit the baking powder and salt
• Beer: Use the beer you enjoy dinking. The beer reacts with the flour baking powder and salt to help the bread rise. I have never tried this without the beer or a beer that is alcohol free so I cannot say if an alcohol free one will work here - its should but I have never tried it. Apparently though it can be made with any soda just keep the amounts the same as the beer
• Baking Powder: This is a leavening agent and helps the bread rise
• Salt: just a little is all you need
• Sugar: You can use up to ¼ cup of sugar, giving the beer bread just a hint of sweetness that can still be used for sandwiches, toast, etc…You can also sweeten with honey or maple syrup too. Just add it when you add the beer not into the dry ingredients like you do with the sugar.
• Butter: I use unsalted and melted. A drizzle of melted butter over the top of the batter results in a scrumptious crust and gives it a beautiful golden colour.
• FLAVOR ADD-INS – you can totally customize this bread! Feel free to add in some of your favorite seasonings, or different cheeses! I love to make mine with shredded cheese and fresh chopped chives, parmesan cheese will work deliciously too. Bacon and/or chives are great additions as well. Caramelized onions work well and so does extra dried herbs or fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary and even garlic - lightly cooked or dried. If you would like a spicier version you could add in some chopped jalapeños and use a peppery cheddar cheese. Try a few poppy, caraway, or sesame seeds on top before baking too.
  
  

How to make beer bread

You can literally have it in the oven in less than 10 minutes! If the thought of making homemade bread is intimidating, this is the recipe for you! Here are the simple steps:

1. Chose your beer and let it come to room temperature, or close to it.
2. Sifting the flour is a must. Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together. The bread will be lighter and fluffier.Toss in extra add ins at this point if using like cheese and herbs.
3. Add the beer to the dry ingredients, stir until just combined.
4. Transfer to prepared baking loaf pan. Drizzle over melted butter. Don’t skip the butter on top. It’s what gives the bread an irresistible crust.
5. Then Bake. If the top starts to get too brown, tent it with parchment paper or foil.
6. Let the bread rest and cool before slicing
   
   

Tips

• USE YOUR FAVORITE BEER – see notes above about choosing the right beer
• TEXTURE – don’t expect this beer bread to have the same light airy texture and crumb as a sandwich bread or a loaf from your favorite bakery. This bread is dense and hearty, with a tendency to crumble a bit as you slice it… while still being incredibly moist and tender and so delicious
• MUFFINS – Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin, fill the cups 2/3 of the way up with batter, and spoon melted butter over the top of each one evenly. Bake at 375°F for about 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
• SELF-RISING FLOUR – if you don’t have any all-purpose flour, self rising flour will work – just omit the baking powder and salt
• HONEY – You could substitute the sugar with honey if you prefer. Just add it when you add the beer not into the dry ingredients like you do with the sugar.
  
  

What can I serve with Beer bread?

I could eat it just as it is with a generous slather of butter on top but its also great with soups like my Smoky Jalapeño Cheddar Potato Soup and chilis. It is great with spreads and dips as an appetizer and also fantastic with stews.

Make ahead, Storage & Freezing

• This bread is definitely best when made fresh, and other than the baking time, it comes together so quickly!
• STORAGE: This bread can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days without losing freshness.
• FREEZING: You can definitely freeze beer bread.Baked beer bread can be frozen for up to 5-6 months! Cool it completely and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place it into a freezer container or freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and microwave a slice for 20-25 seconds for a “warm from the oven” flavour!
  
  

Other quick breads you will love:

• No Fail Banana Bread
• Classic Zucchini Bread
• Chestnut Bread With A Brown Butter Chocolate Whipped Ganache
• Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Bread
• Carrot Cake Loaf (Quick Bread)
• No Knead Focaccia Bread
• Brown Butter Nutella Banana Bread