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3-Ingredient Beer Bread (No Yeast)

Name: 3-Ingredient Beer Bread
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 3 cups self-rising flour; ¼ cup sugar; 1 (12 ounce) can of beer, at room temperature; Optional: ¼ teaspoon salt (to balance the sweetness of the loaf); melted butter for brushing

Lasted edited December 27, 2020. Originally published December 27, 2020 by Blair

No yeast, no kneading and no rising time required for this quick 3-Ingredient Beer Bread recipe!

Total Time: 50 minutes

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Sliced loaf of 3 ingredient beer bread on a cutting board

You don't need any baking skills to enjoy a fresh loaf of homemade bread hot from the oven! This no-knead, no-yeast 3-Ingredient Beer Bread recipe is the quickest, easiest, and tastiest loaf that you will ever prepare. Serve it with dip for a party-friendly appetizer, or offer it with a bowl of soup or chili for a cozy side with dinner!

Easy Beer Bread Recipe

The term "beer bread" refers to any bread that has beer included in the dough mixture. This particular 3-ingredient recipe is made with no yeast, so it's a quick bread that rises with the help of the leavening agent in the self-rising flour and the beer. Best of all, it comes together in about 5 minutes, so it's a great last-minute option when we need a simple side dish or a delicious appetizer with minimal effort.

What does beer bread taste like?

The slightly sweet beer bread has a rich, full-grain flavor, making it perfect with savory dishes like soup and chili, and equally tasty when toasted with butter and jam for breakfast. The beer gives it a "yeasty" flavor, without overpowering the loaf. The alcohol cooks off in the oven, so kids can freely enjoy the bread, and no -- it won't make you drunk!

Ingredients

This easy homemade bread comes together with 3 basic ingredients, which you can keep in your pantry for any last-minute cravings!

Self-rising flour: flour with the leavening agent and a little bit of salt already added. If you don't have any self-rising flour in your pantry, you can make your own with these helpful instructions.
Beer (at room temperature): light beer, non-alcoholic beer, and stronger, darker beer will all work. The beer flavors the bread and helps it rise.
Sugar: enhances the flavor of the bread. You can double the sugar for a sweeter loaf, or reduce it to 2 tablespoons for a more savory option.

The Best Beer for Bread

You can alter the style and taste of your bread by changing the type of beer that you use in the dough. For instance, I've shown a very mild, light beer here, which creates a light, subtle loaf of bread that's appealing to young kids. If you prefer a more pronounced flavor, use a stout or a dark beer for your bread. Essentially, the bread will taste like a more mild, toned-down version of whichever beer you choose to use.

How to Make Beer Bread without Yeast

This easy recipe comes together with about 5 minutes of prep. There's no yeast, no kneading, and no rising time required!

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Stir together all of the ingredients in a large bowl, just until combined. Do not over-mix.
Transfer dough to the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).

Serving Suggestions

Most often, we enjoy this bread as a side dish with dinner. It's perfect spread with butter and served alongside a warm bowl of chili, soup, or stew, and side salads. You can also pair the bread with roast chicken, grilled steaks, salmon, or a cozy pot roast.

Beer Bread Dip

This bread is also a popular appetizer or snack when served with a variety of dips. Here are some delicious cold dips that go well with a fresh loaf:

Storage

Wrapped tightly, the bread will stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the loaf for up to 2 months.

Recipe Variations

Cheese Beer Bread: Add 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese (or another flavorful cheese of your choice). A teaspoon of garlic powder or 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives would also be delicious savory additions!
Mix in diced bacon or ham.
Irish: Use Guinness stout or another similar Irish beer for a robust, full-flavored loaf of bread.
Sweet: Double the sugar in this recipe to ½ cup. You can also mix in raisins, currants or dried cranberries for a loaf that's similar to Irish soda bread.

Tips for the Best Beer Bread Recipe

Use a beer that you enjoy. Light beer is fine, non-alcoholic beer is fine, and a darker, more robust beer works well if you like a more prominently-flavored bread.
Do not over-mix the dough. Stir until just combined -- a few lumps are fine. Over-mixing will result in a dry, dense, tough loaf of bread.
Make sure that your self-rising flour is fresh. If the leavening agents in the self-rising flour are no longer effective, your bread will not rise.
Add about ¼ teaspoon salt to balance the sweetness in the bread and give the loaf a more complex flavor.
For a more indulgent flavor, brush the warm loaf of bread with plenty of melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven. This is what we do with biscuits and it gives them a moist, buttery flavor that's delicious!

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