This easy Beer Bread recipe has pieces of crispy smoked bacon, flavorful, mildly spicy jalapenos, and a generous portion of sharp cheddar, all wrapped up in a moist loaf with a buttery crust. It is really hard to stop eating this bread! Consider yourself warned. This no-knead loaf comes together quickly using almost any non-light beer. It freezes well, so make an extra loaf to enjoy in a couple of weeks.
Well, after the walk yesterday, I decided that we had so much exercise that I would whip up a delectable savory loaf of beer bread. Have you ever tried beer bread? It is so divine. It is just simply amazing and so darn easy. There isn’t any yeast dissolving involved as the beer acts as a leavening agent, and the bread is always moist. This bread is a flavor-packed loaf that is perfect for chili, sandwiches, soup, or just by itself.
How to make Beer Bread
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, sugar, bacon, jalapeno pepper and cheddar cheese. Pour the beer over the mixture and mix just until combined. Do not over-mix the dough, as you do not want it to get tough. Spoon the dough into the loaf pan. Pour the melted butter over the top of the batter. Bake for almost one hour or until lightly browned on the top and set. Let the pan cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before inverting, and let it cool again before slicing.
What beer is best for beer bread?
I have used all kinds of non-light beers with great success. Stay away from the flavored microbrews unless they complement the flavor of the bread. A pumpkin ale or peach IPA is not going to go well with the other flavors in this bread. However, a maple bacon stout might be excellent.
Tips for making Beer Bread
- Use excellent quality bacon and cheddar.
- Look for younger jalapeno peppers that are smooth and green all over with no striations or blemishes. These young green peppers are less stressed and more mild.
- Use any non-light beer. Stay away from the flavored microbrews unless the flavor complements the bread.
- Do not over-mix the dough.
- The bread loaf is done when set and lightly browned. You can use the toothpick test on this bread, but it may come out with a little cheese on it and still be done.
- Remove the cooked bread from the pan as soon as possible and let it cool for at least twenty minutes.
- Other shredded cheese to try include Pepper Jack, Gouda, Colby, or Parmesan.
- Try dried herbs like oregano or marjoram or fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dill.
- Store leftovers in a storage bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, first fully cool and then wrap in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
What to serve with beer bread
- Soup – try my 15 bean soup, loaded potato soup, stuffed pepper soup, Italian sausage soup, or cabbage soup
- Chili – my favorite is pumpkin chili, but close seconds are Cincinnati chili, turkey chili, and crock pot chili
- Stew – cowboy stew, hamburger stew, mulligan stew, Irish stew
- Scrambled eggs, poached eggs, or make egg sandwiches. Trust me, you will love it.
Do not be intimidated by the jalapeno peppers. They are perfect in this tender loaf and complement all the other flavors perfectly. If you like the heat, add a couple more tablespoons! Put this treat on the list for this coming week! You will not be disappointed. I prepared eggs over easy sandwiches with it this morning, and they were so scrumptious!
This tasty quick bread recipe can be whipped up in no time at all. Prep time on it is only about 15 minutes. This bread is wonderful for breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and leftover meatloaf. It is a little piece of heaven. Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator. Slice off what you want and heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds at 60% power. Tastes just like it did when you took it out of the oven.
More Bread Recipes you will love!
Best Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped
- 3 tablespoons jalapeno pepper finely minced
- 2 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 beer 12 ounce at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, sugar, bacon, jalapeno pepper and cheddar cheese. Pour beer over the mixture and mix just until combined. Do not over-mix. Spoon into loaf pan. Pour melted butter over the bread.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Move to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting into the loaf.
Video
Notes
- Use excellent quality bacon and cheddar.
- Look for younger jalapeno peppers that are smooth and green all over with no striations or blemishes. These young green peppers are less stressed and more mild.
- Use any non-light beer. Stay away from the flavored microbrews unless the flavor complements the bread.
- Do not over-mix the dough.
- The bread loaf is done when set and lightly browned. You can use the toothpick test on this bread, but it may come out with a little cheese on it and still be done.
- Remove the cooked bread from the pan as soon as possible and let it cool for at least twenty minutes.
- Other shredded cheese to try include Pepper Jack, Gouda, Colby, or Parmesan.
- Try dried herbs like oregano or marjoram or fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dill.
- Store leftovers in a storage bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, first fully cool and then wrap in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition
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KarenR
Made this today to go with chili. It’s very easy to put together and oh so good! Will definitely be making this again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! So happy that you liked it!
Autumn Dawn
I made this today and my husband and I loved it. It was fantastic on its own and used for sandwiches. I made sandwiches with Cajun turkey breast and pepper jack cheese and toasted them. I’ll definitely be making this again. Thanks for the great recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Autumn. I am so glad that you and your husband loved it.
Megan
Made this for the first time & my husband & I ate half a loaf within minutes 😆 We didn’t have any jalapenos on hand but I know that’d be delicious! I used 1lb of bacon & added onion powder
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Megan! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Marla Alen
I made this for my 2 adult sons and grandson. We made grilled cheese sandwiches using it and pepper jack cheese. Out of this world!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you all liked it, Marla! We love it too!
Debbie
Very tasty, I added an egg and a small amount of milk as mixture was too dry. I much prefer measurement’s in grams and not cups as i may have added too much flour. Will be a staple for a braai (barbecue)
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Debbie! So glad that you liked it!
Skylar Bell
Can you make it in a bread machine?
Beth Pierce
I do not know because I have not tried.
Pam Pate
Very delicious bread! I used jarred jalapenos and a colby and moterey jack cheese mix. I’m about to make another loaf with katamala olives and italian cheese. 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Pam! Sounds absolutely delicious!
StarTraci
Oh, my goodness! I cannot wait to make this for my Texas family when they come up to visit. YUMMY!
Mary
I’ve never had beer bread before. The ingredients make this sound so flavorful! I’ll have to try this real soon.
Lasonia
Beer bread is the best. I just love your recipe with bacon, jalapeno, and cheddar. Just the right balance of flavors.
Ree
Who knew that beer bread could taste so darn delicious. I will make this again and again. Absolutely yummy with your loaded potato soup.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ree! So glad that you liked it.
Tanya
Oh, the combination of smoked bacon, jalapenos, and cheddar in this Beer Bread sounds irresistible! 🥓🌶️🧀 The warning is duly noted, but I’m pretty sure I’d have a hard time resisting too. Thanks for sharing this mouthwatering recipe and the freezing tip for future indulgence! 🍞🍻😋
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tanya! I sure hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Luna S
This looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve had this before but this looks like something myself and my family would love. Thanks for sharing this.
Tammy
Ooh this was so good! I loved how flavorful it was ..perfect loaf for soups and stews especially! Such a comforting recipe.
Judith
This beer bread is so flavorful! Try it with scrambled eggs or eggs over easy. Or as sandwich bread with your favorite lunch meat. You will love it.
Sammie
This is our new favorite bread. So much flavor and so easy to make. I served it with a little chili and everyone loved it.