You don't need any special baking skills to enjoy a fresh loaf of homemade bread hot from the oven! This no-knead, no-yeast Cheddar Chive Beer Bread is the quickest, easiest, and tastiest loaf that you will ever prepare. Just stir the dough together in about 10 minutes! 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 recipe requires no yeast (aside from the yeast in the beer itself), so it's a quick bread that rises when the beer's yeast content reacts with the baking powder in the self-rising flour. Best of all, it comes together in about 10 minutes, so it's a great last-minute option when we need a simple side dish or a delicious appetizer with minimal effort.
Does beer bread taste like beer?
This cheese beer bread recipe has a subtle "yeasty" flavor (thanks to the beer), with sweet and savory notes from the honey, cheddar and chives. If you like a stronger beer flavor, use a darker more potent-tasting beer (such as Guinness). For a very subtle beer flavor, use a light beer. I typically use an IPA, which gives the bread a nice beer taste that's not overpowering, and pairs nicely with the honey and cheese. The alcohol cooks off in the oven, so kids can freely enjoy the bread, and no -- it won't make you drunk!
Ingredients for Honey Beer Bread with Cheese and Chives
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you'll need for a loaf of beer cheese bread. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Self-rising flour: this flour includes baking powder (a leavening agent that helps the bread rise) and salt. If you prefer to make your own self-rising flour at home, see these helpful instructions.
- Cheddar cheese: we like sharp cheddar for its bold flavor, but any variety will work. If possible, use hand-grated cheese (rather than a package of pre-shredded cheese).
- Chives: for a mild onion flavor.
- Beer: I like a pale ale in this recipe, but you can use any beer that you prefer.
- Butter: adds flavor and moisture to the bread. I like salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if that's what you have on hand.
- Honey: adds sweetness and moisture to the bread.
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 used an IPA here, which creates a loaf with moderate beer flavor. Use a very mild, light beer for a subtle loaf of bread that's appealing to young kids. Or, 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.
How to Make Beer Bread without Yeast
Thanks to its buttery, cheesy flavor enhanced with beer, honey and chives, this isn't your average beer bread recipe! Each loaf is moist, tender, flavorful, and perfect alongside a bowl of soup, chili or stew.
- Stir together the self-rising flour, cheese and chives.
- Add the beer, honey and melted butter.
- Transfer the batter to a greased loaf pan.
- Bake the bread in a 375°F oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Brush the top of the bread with melted butter.
- Slice and serve!
How to Eat Beer Bread
There are so many ways to enjoy this versatile loaf of bread! Hosting a party, tailgate, or cocktail hour? Serve the bread with spinach dip, crab dip, pimento cheese, or shrimp dip.
Spread butter on top and drizzle your slice of bread with extra honey. It's great on its own, or perfect as a simple side dish at supper. Here are some entrees that go with beer bread:
- New Orleans Red Beans and Rice
- Frogmore Stew
- Southern Chicken and Pastry
- Chicken and Dumpling Soup
- Creamy Vegetable Soup
- Cheeseburger Soup
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Beef Chili or Texas Chili
- White Bean Chicken Chili
- Farmhouse Chicken and Rice Soup or Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Grandmother's Hamburger Soup
- Dutch Oven Beef Stew or Chicken Stew
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup or Creamy Mushroom Soup
- Aunt Bee's Crab Bisque
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup or Creamy Pumpkin Soup
- Shrimp Soup
Storage
Wrapped tightly, the bread will stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze
To freeze the bread, wrap it tightly and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe Variations
- Add garlic powder for even more flavor.
- Instead of extra sharp cheddar, use a different type of cheese. Try Pepper Jack, Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss or Colby Jack.
- Use different herbs. Dill, parsley, rosemary and basil would all be delicious as well.
- Add diced, pickled jalapeños to the loaf for a spicy kick in lieu of the chives.
- Irish: Use Guinness stout or another similar Irish beer for a robust, full-flavored loaf of bread.
Tips for the Best Beer Bread Recipe
- Properly measure the flour. Always spoon and level the flour or weigh it on a kitchen scale -- do not scoop it out of the package. Incorrectly measuring the flour packs it too tightly into the measuring cup and results in a dense, dry loaf of bread.
- 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 just until 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 agent in the self-rising flour is no longer effective, your bread will not rise.
- Brush the warm loaf of bread with melted butter. Just like with biscuits, the extra butter gives the loaf a moist, buttery flavor that's delicious!
More Homemade Bread Recipes to Try
- Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
- Mexican Cornbread
- Dutch Oven Bread
- No-Knead Bread
- English Muffin Bread
- Oatmeal Bread
- Classic Skillet Cornbread
- Honey Cornbread
- Banana Nut Bread
Cheddar Chive Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups (339 g) self-rising flour
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 1 (12 ounce) bottle or can of beer
- 3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan (or a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan). Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together flour, cheese and chives. Add the beer, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and the honey; stir just until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Brush the top of the warm bread with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Properly measure the flour. Always spoon and level the flour or weigh it on a kitchen scale -- do not scoop it out of the package. Incorrectly measuring the flour packs it too tightly into the measuring cup and results in a dense, dry loaf of bread.
- 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 just until 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 agent in the self-rising flour is no longer effective, your bread will not rise.
- Brush the warm loaf of bread with melted butter. Just like with biscuits, the extra butter gives the loaf a moist, buttery flavor that's delicious!
Imogene Bickle
Is there a substitute for self rising flour?
Blair Lonergan
Hi, Imogene! Yes, you can make your own self-rising flour using all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Here's a recipe: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/homemade-self-rising-flour-recipe