This hearty beer bread recipe features honey and a hoppy beer for a robust, tasty quick bread that goes with just about everything. Best of all, there’s no yeast needed and only five minutes of prep!
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Why You Will Love This Beer Bread Recipe
This quick, homespun beer bread has totally captured our hearts – it’s just so dang good. Here’s why we think you’ll love it, too:
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of malty beer, sweet honey, and lots of real butter? Unbelievably yummy and cozy.
- No Yeast Required: Unlike traditional bread recipes, beer bread is a quick bread, meaning it doesn’t need yeast. Thankfully this means there is no rise time either, just mix the dough together and into the oven it goes!
- Minimal Effort: No baking expertise is needed, either! This bread recipe is sure to be enjoyed whether you’re an experienced chef or a total newbie. As long as you can measure ingredients and whisk them together, you can make this beer bread recipe!
- Goes with Everything: Pair this one with all of your favorite dinners from chili to bbq, or serve it on its own for a scrumptious snack.
What You’ll Need
This easy beer bread recipe uses common ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! For full ingredient amounts and directions, scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour works perfectly.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder gives our bread a good rise, instead of yeast.
- Salt
- Beer: One standard bottle or can of your favorite beer.
- Honey: You could also use sugar or maple syrup.
- Butter: Melted.
What Is The Best Beer To Make Beer Bread?
This is a great question, but the bottom line is, use what you love! We have used everything from Miller Lite to Guinness in this recipe, and they all work. To get the deepest, strongest flavor, use a heavier, full-bodied beer. Lighter beers will give a mellow, mild beer taste, which is also a great option.
Does Beer Bread Still Have Alcohol?
Technically, yes – although not much! We’ve all heard that the alcohol in our baked dishes “cooks off,” and it mostly does, especially the longer you allow your dish or bread to cook. However, for those who are avoiding alcohol completely, you should know that some of the alcohol does remain in most dishes.
In this beer bread recipe, there won’t be enough alcohol to intoxicate you, remember the entire bread is made with just 1 bottle of beer. However, if you want to ensure your bread has zero alcohol in it, grab a bottle of non-alcoholic beer! It will give you the same great taste with zero alcohol concerns!
How To Make Beer Bread
The steps for making this mouthwatering beer bread are so simple – it all comes together in a snap! From there, you just let the oven do all the work.
- Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F. While it heats, butter a 9×5 loaf pan. Make sure to get all the corners, so the bread doesn’t stick!
- Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the beer and honey, stirring with a wooden spoon just until a sticky ball of dough forms. Don’t overmix or knead it.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your pan, spread it out, and top with melted butter. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Enjoy: Slice while still warm, slather with a little butter and try not to eat the whole loaf in one sitting!
Baker’s Tips
Want to know more about baking beer bread? You’re in the right place! These helpful tips will give you all the inside info.
- Mix-Ins: There are lots of ingredients you can throw into the mix that complement this bread. Try shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic or garlic powder, fresh herbs, diced jalapeños, crispy bacon bits – whatever your heart desires!
- Muffins: For an easy-to-serve side dish, make muffins instead of a loaf of bread. Divide the batter into muffin tins, filling them about 3/4 full, and then top each one with a little bit of butter. Bake for about 20 minutes, until cooked through.
- Self-Rising Flour: Have self-rising flour? You can use an equal amount of self-rising flour in this beer bread recipe, and then leave out baking powder.
What To Serve With Beer Bread
We love to serve this bread warm with butter, but you can also add a drizzle of honey to take it over the top. You can also use our herb butter or garlic herb butter – both are so delicious spread on top. As for main dishes, try adding a slice of beer bread to one of these hearty recipes:
- Beef Stew: Crockpot beef stew is a classic meal that’s total comfort food. A slice of homemade beer bread adds even more cozy flavor. It’s also perfect alongside our beef tips and gravy!
- Smothered Chicken: Normally, we like to serve smothered chicken and gravy with mashed potatoes or biscuits, but it’s also amazing with homemade bread! Throw a salad or some roasted green beans on the side, and a wonderful home-cooked dinner is done.
- Chili: We love, love, love a good hearty chili with beer bread! This crockpot turkey chili is a great option that’s sure to please, but if you are feeling beefy, try our easy beef chili recipe ready in just 30 minutes!
How to Store Your Honey Beer Bread
To keep this tempting bread as fresh as possible, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze This?
Sure! Cool the beer bread first, and then wrap it tightly in saran wrap and place it in a freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove a slice, or the whole loaf, and allow to thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Simple Bread Recipes
- Herb Drop Biscuits
- Classic Cornbread
- Cheesy Herb Crescent Rolls
- Homemade Garlic Bread
- Caprese Garlic Bread
- Cheesy Jiffy Cornbread
Beer Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 oz beer
- ¼ cup honey
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F, butter a 9×5 loaf pan and set aside.
- In a medium size bowl, whisk to combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Slowly add the beer and honey stir with a wooden spoon or spatula just until a dough ball forms. Do not over mix. The dough will be sticky.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, spread the dough to fill the bottom of the loaf pan. Top with the melted butter.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until baked through and a toothpick in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
