Delicious beer bread with cheddar is a no-knead bread and is perfect served alongside a bowl of soup, chili or a big salad.
This quick bread can be mixed and baked in just one hour. Homemade bread has never been easier!
Quick and easy homemade bread
There's nothing better than homemade bread. I love the smell of bread baking. I love the taste of homemade bread and I definitely love making bread.
Beer bread is quick and easy and can be whipped together in not time at all. No kneading of the bread and no waiting for the bread to rise. Just mix and bake. This Cheddar Beer Bread is amazing!
The beer helps activate the baking powder which causes the bread to rise while it bakes.
Eat plain or top with a whipped honey butter.
Key ingredients
Ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Beer - Use any type of beer that you have on hand. The lighter tasting beer, like a pilsner will have a lighter taste. I've made this with a pilsner and also with an IPA. Both are delicious.
- Flour - This recipe uses all-purpose flour. If you are using a self rising flour, omit the baking powder and the salt.
- Cheese - I use cheddar cheese. You can use a mild or sharp cheddar. Feel free to change it up by using a different type of cheese. Use pepper jack, colby or smoked cheddar.
- The cheese can be omitted altogether to make a plain beer bread
- Butter - Just a bit of melted butter goes over the top of the bread dough just before baking. This helps make a delicious golden crust. I use salted butter.
Step by step directions
How to make it
In this section I share step by step photos, cooking method, techniques and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together in a bowl
- Add cheese and toss so cheese is well coated
- Pour beer into mixture and mix with a spatula
- Pour batter into a greased bread pan. Smooth top of dough.
- Pour melted butter over the top of the batter
- Bake for 50-55 minutes until cooked through
Recipe tips
- If you prefer a sweeter bread, add an additional tablespoon of sugar
- Add a ½ teaspoon of dried Italian herbs with the flour mixture for an herbed bread.
- Don't over mix dough. Just fold together with a spatula until the flour is mixed in
- Test to see if bread is fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If the toothpick comes out with wet dough, cook for a few more minutes.
- Rest baked bread on a baking rack for 5-10 minutes before removing from pan
- This bread can be sliced up and eaten while it is still warm. It's also delicious toasted with butter and honey for breakfast.
Serving suggestions
Serve this delicious quick bread alongside your favorite soup or salad.
More quick breads
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my homemade bread recipes!
Beer Bread with Cheddar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese (grated, about 2 cups)
- 1 12 oz beer
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (salted butter)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.3 cups flour, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Stir in cheddar cheese.4 ounces cheddar cheese
- Add 1 beer and stir until all dry ingredients are incorporated.1 12 oz beer
- Place batter into in a greased bread pan.
- Pour melted butter over top of dough2 tablespoons melted butter
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes.
- Allow bread to cool at least 5-10 minutes before removing from pan.
- Bread can be sliced while still warm.
Notes
- Any type of beer works well in this recipe. A stronger flavored beer will create a stronger flavored bread. I've used both a light pilsner or an IPA with great results.
- If you prefer a sweeter bread, add an additional tablespoon of sugar
- Add a ½ teaspoon of dried Italian herbs with the flour mixture for an herbed bread.
- Don't over mix dough. Just fold together with a spatula until the flour is mixed in
- Test to see if bread is fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If the toothpick comes out with wet dough, cook for a few more minutes.
- Rest baked bread on a baking rack for 5-10 minutes before removing from pan
- This bread can be sliced up and eaten while it is still warm. It's also delicious toasted with butter and honey for breakfast.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
Gee, I didn't know about substituting beer for yeast- makes things a lot easier- and I bet tastes good too! Nice guitar music with your video!
Kathy says
Hi Fran, The beer works with the baking powder to create the rise. It creates a great bread with a nice texture. It is different than a yeast bread.
Jen says
So easy to make! Couldn't really taste the cheese, but was afraid to add more and mess up the consistency. It was great the next day with honey and butter. Thanks for the recipe
Kathy says
Hi Jen,
Try using a sharp cheddar cheese next time. The stronger flavor should really come through.
Kathy 🙂
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Looks amazing Kathy, and so easy. That crust!!! I can imagine the beer gives great flavor. I'd love to try it with VT Cabot cheddar. I'll have to wait a bit though. We are in the middle of a major kitchen remodel. I have no stove, no cooktop, no sink etc. I do have a propane cook stove on my back deck and a grill on the patio. The thing is, there's still snow everywhere. Cooking is a chilly job these days. lol.
Kathy says
A kitchen remodel is so exciting, but so difficult! Good luck with it all, especially the cooking outside part!
cakespy says
This. Bread. Looks. So. Good. <3 <3 <3 I'm seriously making the little heart eyed emoji at it.
Kathy says
Thanks!
David @ Spiced says
I'm right there with ya 100% on the smell of freshly baked bread. There are seriously few smells in the entire world that can top that one. I love a good beer bread, too. They're so quick and easy to make, but they turn out so well, too. I'll have to give your version a shot as I love cheese, bread and beer. 🙂
Kathy says
Cheese, bread and beer - it's a winning combination!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Wow! No knead and no rise! Love it! Nothing like homemade bread or the smell that it makes in your home while it's baking. This one looks and sounds delicious with the beer and cheese combo. Perfect for dunkin' in a hot bowl of soup on a cold day 🙂
Kathy says
It is absolutely perfect with a bowl of soup!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I love the smell of fresh bread baking too Kathy! A slice or two of this would be perfect with some soup!
Kathy says
I agree! It is perfect with a nice bowl of soup!