This 5-ingredient beer bread comes together quickly, requires no yeast or kneading, and tastes amazing warm and slathered with butter. The beer gives it a subtle yeasty flavor, and the top has a slightly chewy crunch that is so delicious.

I hate making bread, but this 5-ingredient beer bread is a major exception. It's completely no-fuss and foolproof. There's no waiting for it to rise or kneading involved, and it will make your house smell like freshly baked bread in no time. It's great as toast or served warm with butter and honey.
If you like this recipe, you should try our pumpkin bread with streusel topping, Guinness beer bread, or blueberry banana bread muffins.
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What is beer bread?
It's just what it sounds like--bread made with beer! The beer and baking soda help the bread rise, so no yeast is needed. It's chewy and delicious, and retains some of the flavor of whatever beer you choose to use.
Beer suggestions
Any kind of beer works. If you use a dark beer (such as stout), your bread will be darker and have a more intense beer flavor. If you use a light beer (such as a pilsner), your bread will be lighter with a more subtle flavor. Personally, we love using a Belgian-style wheat beer for this recipe (we use Allagash White).
Ingredient List
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Beer- see beer suggestions above.
- Granulated sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Add flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to a large mixing bowl and mix to combine.
Step 2: Add the beer to the flour mixture and mix until everything is combined.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 1 hour, or until the top of the loaf is golden brown.
Step 4: Enjoy sliced and warm with butter or honey.
Frequently asked questions
It's just what it sounds like-bread made with beer! The beer and baking soda help the bread rise, so no yeast is needed. It's chewy and delicious, and retains some of the flavor of whatever beer you choose to use.
Any kind of beer works. If you use a dark beer (such as stout), your bread will be darker and have a more intense beer flavor. If you use a light beer (such as a pilsner), your bread will be lighter with a more subtle flavor. Personally, we love using a Belgian-style wheat beer for this recipe.
You can, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's best on its own with butter or honey or as toast. It's not a super sturdy bread, so it might not hold up as sandwich bread. It would be great for making an open-faced sandwich, though.
Rosemary says
I've always made horrible bread before. This bread is delicious! The crust hard hard and crunchy when it was first done but I but it in a baggie and left it out overnight, on the counter. The next day the crust was soft. I have already made a 2nd loaf! The reciepe is so simple! No waiting for it to rise or dealing with dissolving yeast! No kneading except when you're mixing it up. I just dumped the dry ingredients into a sifter, sifted them, poured the beer in and mixed up. Then kneaded in the same bowl, to make sure it was all mixed well, and then tossed it into a oiled loaf pan. An hour later, it's done!!! Easiest and best beer bread ever!!!!! Thank you!