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Best Beer Bread Recipe: No Yeast, No Kneading, Pure Simplicity

This Ultimate Beer Bread Recipe creates a buttery, golden loaf with a tender, fluffy crumb — no yeast or kneading required! Made in under an hour, this quick bread combines pantry staples with your favorite beer for effortless, bakery-quality results every time.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf (8 slices)
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar or 2 tbsp for less sweetness
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 12 oz beer lager or pale ale preferred
  • 8 tbsp butter divided (2 tbsp melted for batter + 6 tbsp sliced for topping)
  • Optional Add-ins: rosemary shredded cheddar, or caraway seeds

Method
 

  1. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or spray, and line with parchment for easy removal.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt 2 tbsp of butter and let cool slightly. Slice remaining 6 tbsp for topping later.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  4. Add Beer: Pour the 12 oz beer into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined — don’t overmix. Batter will be thick and lumpy.
  5. Add Butter: Stir in the melted butter gently to combine.
  6. Transfer to Pan: Spoon batter into loaf pan, spread evenly, and top with butter slices.
  7. Bake: Bake 50–65 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool: Let cool 15 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm with butter or honey.

Notes

Use mild, medium-bodied beers like lagers or pale ales for best flavor. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread light and fluffy. For extra crispness, brush melted butter on top after baking. Serve alongside soups, stews, or as a savory sandwich base.