Beer Bread Recipe

This easy Beer Bread Recipe is a classic that has been handed down for generations in our family. I love the simplicity of a 4 ingredient quick bread. In just one hour you can have warm, fluffy, buttery, soft bread. You can also make dinner rolls with this recipe.

This is comfort food at its best. It’s great for dinner because the ingredients are usually something you have in your pantry and it’s nearly fail-proof. For this recipe, there is no rise, no kneading, and no yeast needed.

4 ingredients for easy Beer Bread

• Self Rising Flour – see how to make your own below
• Sugar
• Beer – choose your favorite
• Butter – actually optional, but makes it so much tastier!

What is self-rising flour and how to make your own

Self-rising flour is essential for many baked goods. It is just regular flour with baking powder and salt already added in. The baking powder acts as a leavening agent in conjunction with the sugar and the beer in this beer bread recipe. It’s easy to find self-rising flour on the shelves but I make my own most of the time.

Here is the easy formula for making self-rising flour:

One cup all-purpose flour + 1-1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder

+ 1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir vigorously together to make sure everything is well blended before using in recipes

How to make Beer Bread

• Combine self-rising flour and sugar in a large bowl
• If including any additional herbs or flavorings add-in now (see list of suggestions below)
• Slowly pour in your favorite beer and let the mixture sit for 1 minute
• Mix until all of the flour is absorbed but do not overmix
• The mixture will be very sticky
• Add to a prepared loaf pan
• Cook for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour melted butter over the top. Return to the oven and bake another 15 minutes.
• Adding the butter is optional, or you can decrease the amount added if you prefer, but the baking time remains one hour total
• Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing
• Store tightly wrapped for about 3 days at room temperature

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What beer is best for Beer Bread?

When deciding which beer to use for the bread think about what type of beer you like. I recommend an ale type beer but anything will work. The more yeast in your beer the more the bread will rise during baking. The end result of the bread depends on the type of beer. Try something fun like honey ale, brown ale, or pumpkin ale if you have it on hand.

Alcohol substitution for beer bread

The yeast in the beer is needed for the bread to rise, but not the alcohol. We made it with Beck’s non-alcoholic beer and it was fantastic.

Adding other flavors to the bread

The great thing about this simple beer bread recipe is how many add-ins you can use. I suggest using about 1 tablespoon of dried herbs or 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs, cheese, or bacon. Here are some ideas:

• Chives or scallions
• Fresh dill
• Italian seasonings, garlic powder, or any dried herb
• Garlic, minced
• Cheddar, Gruyere or parmesan – shredded
• Small pieces of bacon
• Honey

Making Beer Bread Rolls:

Beer bread dinner rolls could not be simpler. Using the same recipe take these few steps:

• Grease round, square or rectangle pan
• With floured hands form rolls with about 3 tablespoons dough
• Drop into prepared pan. It’s ok if the rolls are touching
• Bake for 20 minutes
• Remove pan from oven and drizzle rolls with melted butter
• Sprinkle with add-ins such as shredded Parmesan and parsley
• Bake for additional 15 minutes and cool for 10 minutes before serving

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Try beer bread with these delicious soups and stews:

• Butternut Squash Soup
• Slow Cooker Irish Pot Roast
• Spicy Pumpkin Soup
• Beef Stew

Other easy bread recipes:

• Buttermilk Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Nut Bread
• Blueberry Apple Bread
• Baking Powder Biscuits
• Irish Soda Bread

Delicious served with our flavored compound butters

• Orange Honey Butter
• Lemon Chive Butter