Beer Bread Recipe (3-ingredients)

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With no yeast, no kneading, and just 3 ingredients, this Beer Bread is a homemade bread recipe that anyone can make. Ready in under an hour, with just 5 minutes of prep!

A loaf of beer bread, with a few pieces sliced

Quick & Easy Beer Bread Recipe

This beer bread may be the easiest bread recipe you ever make. It requires just 3 ingredients and the only steps are simply to mix the ingredients and bake them. It might seem too good to be true but it’s literally that easy!

Beer bread can be used to make sandwiches or toast but I personally love it when served with chili and soup or stews. I love the dense, moist texture and the light beer flavor. While this is a recipe for basic beer bread, I’ve also included lots of suggestions for other variations.

What You’ll Need

There are just 3 ingredients needed to make this easy beer bread recipe!

  • Self-Rising Flour – Since we’re using self-rising flour, there’s no need to add baking soda or other leavening agent ingredients often found in beer bread recipes. This is your dry ingredients.
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Beer – You can also get creative and try seasonal beers, like pumpkin ale, or hard ciders.

How to Make the Best Beer Bread

There are just a few steps to making this homemade bread recipe.

  • Make the batter. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl, until fully combined.
  • Bake. Transfer the batter to the greased loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. The beer bread forms a fantastic crust.
  • Cool. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing.
Top view of beer bread loaf

What is Self Rising Flour?

Self rising flour is a combination of flour, baking powder, and salt. This combination cuts out a lot of extra time and work from traditional bread recipes because there’s no yeast needed and therefore no rise time. If you do not have self-rising flour you can make it yourself. For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

What Kind Of Beer Should I Use To Make a Homemade Beer Bread Recipe?

You can use any kind of beer you prefer. My personal preference is to use golden ale beers, but any beer will work just fine. The beer taste is actually very faint, especially when you use light beer. The real purpose of the beer is to create air bubbles that make the bread rise and baking the bread does cook the alcohol off, so this recipe is enjoyable for the entire family.

Serving Suggestions

Beer bread, like most homemade breads, is extremely versatile. Sometimes I’ll enjoy the warm slices with some melted butter or even whipped cinnamon butter.

This bread can also be used for sandwiches or turned into toast. It makes a great side for soup (especially if you add the cheddar cheese, yum!), chili, or anything else you’d typically serve bread with.

slice of beer bread on a brown board

Storing:

Homemade bread can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days. One trick I have for ensuring it stays moist and tender is to place a paper towel with it in the airtight container.

Can I Freeze This?

Beer bread does freeze very well. Once it cools completely, wrap it in plastic wrap then freeze it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then enjoy!

Optional Mix-In Ideas

Customize your beer bread by adding some additional ingredients when you stir the dough.

  • Fresh, chopped dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme or clove.
  • Shredded cheese such as cheddar or pepper jack
  • Crispy Bacon
  • Raw or roasted garlic
  • Finely diced jalapenos (this would be good with the cheese)
  • Honey (for a sweet flavor)
  • Butter (brushed over the top)

Top of Beer Bread loaf slices

More Quick Bread Recipes:

A loaf of beer bread with two slices
5 from 40 votes

3-ingredient Beer Bread Recipe

With no yeast, no kneading, and just 3 ingredients, this Beer Bread is a homemade bread recipe that anyone can make. Ready in under an hour, with just 5 minutes of prep!
Servings: 10 slices
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups self-rising flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 12 ounces beer

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and beer until it is fully combined. The batter will be thick. Spoon the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 40 minutes.
  • Take out of the oven and let sit for five minutes, then remove the bread from the pan and let cool completely before slicing.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

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43 comments on “Beer Bread Recipe (3-ingredients)”

  1. 5 stars
    Made it with exact ingredients and placed in my bread machine on Bake. Used bread machine since I needed oven for dinner item.

    Unfortunately, I should have cooked longer in bread machine as it only holds 1.5 lbs, which is shorter and thicker than your average bread machine pan or usual bread pan . Regardless, the taste was great despite it tasting a little undercooked. My hubby liked it a lot and it was so easy. Making it again in oven with bread pan where I know it will be even better!

  2. 5 stars
    I made this bread a month ago and it came out delicious! It was on the sweeter side. I just put one in the oven now and added 1/4 cup more sugar and 1 cup of fresh picked sour cherries. I can’t wait to taste it! I took the advice of a previous comment and brushed 1/2 stick of melted butter over the loaf, half-way through the bake. Yummy!!

  3. 5 stars
    I love this bread with chili and taco soup. I also love anything that is quick and easy to make without a lot of ingredients

  4. Well, I can never follow a recipe EVER and I added 1/2 teaspoon of herbs de province, 8 cloves of pressed garlic and added everything bagel seasoning to the top and baked @375 for 40 minutes. I did pull the loaf out of the oven the last 5 minutes and added freshly grated parmesan!! Wow!!! Yum!

  5. 5 stars
    Bread was delicious, but very crumbly. Looking at google why that would be, says don’t have enough gluten. Or added too much flour. What would help it not be so crumbly?

  6. 5 stars
    Is there a gluten free/ keto type beer bread. Could i substitute maybe almond flour, just asking. I’ve had beer bread before with soup or chili, live it.

  7. 5 stars
    This is my go to for beer bread. So simple and it comes out perfect every time. The only thing I do differently is add some melted butter to the top prior to baking.

  8. 5 stars
    Made a loaf and shared with my 17 yr old grandson. He said he liked it, but with a teenager… who knows. So for his 18th birthday I asked him what kind of cake he wanted. Shock and surprise … he asked for a loaf of beer bread instead. Love that boy… <3

  9. My 3rd time to make beer bread;
    I used 7up, no beer available.
    Added a little more sugar and some lemon juice. DELICIOUS…

  10. It tasted so good. But, the center did not cook it was very doughy after 60 min baking time.  I had to throw the center out. Any ideas what could have gone wrong ? I used Sam Adams Octoberfest beer. 

    1. Your oven may run hotter, it may even be a recent change in temp, if that is the case, turn your temp down from what is called for, maybe 25 degrees F and try again, should be good when toothpick comes out clean from the center, or a fork if you don’t have toothpicks. there are many variables that can make that happen, honestly, good luck!

  11. 5 stars
    So good! I too added melted butter mid- bake. I melted 1/2 a stick of butter, came out perfectly. Now I have one I. The oven with jalapeno and cheddar. Hopefully that works as well! Yum!!

  12. 5 stars
    I’m not much of a baker but am an excellent cook. I tried your recipe for beer bread today and it is amazing! Just followed the instructions to the letter and the bread came out looking fabulous and taste great! My wife, who is the baker, tried it and loved it! I’ve already passed your recipe on to my brother and some friends. I must apologize for not giving you credit but I will correct that immediately! Thank you for posting it!

  13. 5 stars
    I just made this today and it was so good! I may try without sugar next time … hopefully it doesn’t change the texture. So easy and so good! Thanks for sharing!

  14. Is the cup measurement in the US different to Australia?  Possible to have weight of flour used please? Cheers.

  15. Dear Jill, this may come as a shock, but there are a LOT of areas in the US that DON’T carry self rising flour. It would be great if you included the amount of salt and baking powder to add if you live in the Northern or Western parts of the US.

  16. King Arthur says you can make self rising flour by adding 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt to each cup of flour. Blend well with a whisk.

  17. For all that asked about making your own self-rising flour: For every cup of self -rising flour called for in your recipe, measure out 1 level cup all-purpose flour. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine.

  18. 5 stars
    I have made this bread for many years!! Everyone’s favorite! Great as a fresh gift! I have only used lite beer.

    1. 5 stars
      I made this today, added baking powder and salt to make self rising. Look up recipe for measurements for self rising flour. Bread was great.

  19. 5 stars
    I’ve been making this for forty some years.  Light beer doesn’t work!
    Half way thru the baking I pour a half stick of melted butter over top, makes a wonderful buttery crusty outer layer?

    1. To make self-rising flour, for each cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt

  20. Can this be frozen? I mean, I know it can be frozen but will it be tasty after thawing out! Thank you