How to Make Beer Bread (2024)

Have you heard about beer bread? Do you know how to make beer bread? You probably should, since it’s a type of “quick bread” that’s been growing in popularity. It’s not hard to see why: it doesn’t require special equipment, is simple to make, tastes great and is so versatile. It doesn’t require yeast, so there’s no waiting for it to rise. You can add flavors and mix-ins to a basic beer bread recipe to create a loaf for any occasion and everybody’s tastes. It’s super bread!

Bountiful Beer Bread Mix® has been Tastefully Simple’s top-selling product since the company started in 1995, and naturally developed a good bit of expertise in making the very best, most tender and flavorful loaf possible. Up your beer bread game with these tips and suggestions.

What’s the Best Pan Choices for Beer Bread?

Most beer bread lovers choose to make a basic 9×5 loaf using the standard bread loaf pan. However, it can also be baked in an 8×8 square baker, as mini loaves, in muffin pans or in a round loaf for use as a bread bowl. Check out these guidelines for various pan sizes and baking times.

Can You Use Something Other Than Beer in Beer Bread?

Absolutely! Almost any carbonated or noncarbonated beverage can be used, including water, soda pop, milk or buttermilk, fruit juice and even creamed corn! In general substitute 12 fluid ounces of whatever liquid you choose in place of beer.

How Do You Add Flavor to Beer Bread?

Beer bread batter is so versatile that it can make countless variations of sweet and savory loaves.

Try stirring a tablespoon or two of your favorite seasoning or other savory add-ins into the batter, such as

  • Rustic Herb Seasoning
  • Grated cheese
  • Chopped nuts
  • Fresh or dried herbs
  • Bacon pieces
  • Minced Pepperoni

You can also mix in sweet add-ins like:

  • Creamy Caramel Sauce
  • Rhubarb Strawberry Fruit Spread
  • Baking chips in a variety of flavors
  • Cinnamon
  • Coconut
  • Fresh and dried fruits
  • Fruit zest

How Do You Know When Beer Bread is Done?

You’ll know your beer bread is ready to come out of the oven when the top crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. You can also use an instant-read thermometer; the temp should be about 200⁰F.

How Do You Store Leftover Beer Bread?

Store loosely wrapped in plastic or in a sealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, or frozen for 2-3 months. The taste tends to fade over time, so your loaf is best eaten sooner than later!

What Are Some Uses for Beer Bread Leftovers?

You’re likely to eat up a whole loaf of beer bread shortly after it comes out of the oven – it’s that delicious. On the off chance that there is a bit left, you can use it so many delicious ways, including stuffing, croutons, French toast, bread pudding or breadcrumbs for coating meats or topping casseroles.

What Are Some Recipes Using Beer Bread?

The possibilities are endless! For breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert, there’s never an occasion when beer bread doesn’t make a delicious difference. Here are some recipes to try:

Beer Bread Appetizers

It’s easy to impress with appetizers and starters made with Bountiful Beer Bread Mix®.

Beer Bread for Dinner, Lunch and More

Try these savory sensations for sandwiches, sides and even pizza!

Beer Bread for Breakfast and Snacking

Check out sweet versions for breakfast, brunch, coffee breaks and even dessert

Find more beer bread ideas in these blog posts

What’s The Best Beer for Beer Bread?
What’s the Best Beer for Beer Bread? Lupulin Brewing Taste Test
What’s the Best Beer for Beer Bread? Part 2: Schell’s Brewery Taste Test
What Goes With Beer Bread?
Easy Beer Bread Recipes
Beer Bread for Breakfast? Sweet!
A Six-Pack of Cheesy Beer Bread Recipes
Bountiful Beer Bread 5 Ways

Looking for even more ideas for how to make beer bread? Check out tastefullysimple.com/recipes.

How to Make Beer Bread (2024)

FAQs

What beer is best for beer bread? ›

Lighter beers, such as lagers, ales and pilsners, will give your bread a lighter color, and mild taste that just about everyone loves. Darker beers like stouts and porters make a darker-colored loaf and have a stronger beer flavor. Hoppy beers like IPAs will give your bread a more bitter taste.

What is beer bread made of? ›

If you have never made beer bread before, I'm telling you, bread-baking doesn't get any easier than this! Simply stir 5 basic ingredients together (flour, baking powder, salt, beer and honey), brush melted butter on top of the batter, and bake until golden. Then — voila!

Does beer have to be room temperature for beer bread? ›

Chose your beer and let it come to room temperature, or close to it. Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a loaf pan with non stick spray and line with parchment paper leaving a 2” overhang to easily remove the bread. Sifting the flour together with the baking powder, sugar and salt.

Can you use beer instead of yeast to make bread? ›

Since most beers still contain yeast cells at the end of the fermentation process, you can substitute a can of beer for yeast for a denser result. The alcohol from the beer evaporates off during baking, leaving behind a deliciously rich taste that is safe for all ages.

Why is my beer bread so dense? ›

Without sufficient leavening from the beer, a loaf of beer bread will be fairly dense and heavy unless an additional leavening agent (e.g., baking soda, baking powder, baker's yeast and sugar, sourdough starter, or wild yeast cultured from the environment) is added.

Is beer bread OK for kids? ›

YES! The alcohol content cooks out during baking, so our beer bread is for all to enjoy!

How to tell when beer bread is done? ›

Bake the bread for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted about 1/2" into the top of the loaf comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

How much alcohol remains in beer bread? ›

The final concentrations in the foods were in the range from 2.62% (v/v) and 2.48% (w/w) to below detection limit. The highest estimated amount of ethanol per serving was accordingly 1.28 g which would be of little concern to most people.

Does the alcohol cook out of beer bread? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), baked or simmered dishes that contain alcohol will retain 40% of the original amount after 15 minutes of cooking, 35% after 30 minutes and 25% after an hour. But there's no point at which all of the alcohol disappears.

Is Bud Light good for beer bread? ›

For the mildest beer flavor in your bread, use a light beer, such as Miller's Lite, Coors Light, or Bud Light.

Does beer bread go bad? ›

Unopened beer bread generally lasts up to a week past the sell-by date. Once opened, it's best to consume it within 2-3 days. If you've baked homemade beer bread, try to consume it within 2-3 days as well. If you choose to freeze it, beer bread can last from 2 to 3 months.

Can I use water instead of beer in beer bread? ›

Can You Use Something Other Than Beer in Beer Bread? Absolutely! Almost any carbonated or noncarbonated beverage can be used, including water, soda pop, milk or buttermilk, fruit juice and even creamed corn! In general substitute 12 fluid ounces of whatever liquid you choose in place of beer.

Why is my beer bread crumbly? ›

Your Bread Has Too Much Flour

Adding too much flour is one common mistake for beginning bakers. This produces dry bread with more crumbs. The key is to find a balance between the flour and liquid ingredients in your recipe. It can be tricky because bread recipes don't always give you an exact amount of flour.

Does beer bread taste like beer? ›

Beer Bread is buttery, chewy, and tastes like your favorite beer. The yeast in the beer interacts with the sugar to help the bread to rise (and the baking powder gives the bread an additional boost to keep it from becoming dense). Be wise, however, in choosing the beer you use.

What pairs well with beer bread? ›

Think brisket, chicken, ribs, steaks, pork loin – all pair wonderfully with a slice of beer bread. When you're trying to keep it lighter, pair beer bread with your favorite salad. We highly recommend Caesar salad!

What is the best beer to bake with? ›

If you're new to baking with beer, porters and stouts are the best place to begin. Because they're brewed with dark roasted malt, they lend flavor notes of cocoa and coffee. Porters lean more toward chocolate and malted flavors with less bitterness.

What kind of beer to use for Trader Joe's beer bread? ›

It's also the phrase you'll find gracing each box of Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix. The flavor of the finished loaf really depends on what kind of beer you use: Go with a lager for a lighter profile, an IPA for a hearty, hoppy taste, or a stout for a rich result with a slightly darker finished product.

Is IPA good for beer bread? ›

Just remember that whatever beer you choose, the flavor profile will come through. In general, I'd probably steer clear of IPAs, unless you really love that bitterness, since it gives the baked bread a slightly bitter bite. But I think dark and fruity beers would almost always work really well,” he said.

What's the best beer for cooking? ›

Wheat beers are great for chicken and seafood. If you're cooking pork, beef, and lamb, you will need ales, porters, and stouts. Hearty meat goes well with belgian ales. Stews pair well with ale.

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