This Beer Bread recipe is easy to make and only requires 4 ingredients! It comes out of the oven with the most beautiful textured golden crust. By covering the dough in butter before you pop in in the oven you create a crispy, buttery top. When you bite into a fresh slice you can literally hear the crunch of the crust, follow by the soft bread inside. The flavor is truly unique. It reminds me of a mellow sourdough with a hint of beer in the background. In a subtle, can’t place the flavor, kind of way.
Easy Beer Bread Recipe
Is there a smell better that baking bread? I’m going to answer that for you, NO! Or how about the taste of a freshly sliced piece of homemade bread with (real, salted) butter melting over the top. My mouth is watering!
But let me quickly break you out of this carb trance with the the thought of kneading, proofing, kneading, proofing, waiting….exhausting….boring! I do not have time for all that. Do you??
That is why I was thrilled when my sister gave me this recipe a few years ago!! It requires no kneading, no proofing, no waiting! You just sift flour, open a beer, pour, and mix. Anyone can do that. Even my husband can do that, maybe.
How to Make 4 Ingredients for Beer Bread
Yep, only 4 simple ingredients for this beer bread recipe. If you happen to have self rising flour (that is not expired) in your pantry then you can make this now! All you need is:
- 12 oz beer
- 3 cups self rising flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp butter
You will also need a couple bowls because there is a little sifting involved.
Start by sifting 3 cups of flour into a bowl. Then out of that sifted flour measure 3 cups, you will be surprised how much is left after sifting and re-measuring! Mix the 3 measured cups of sifted flour with the sugar.
Pour the beer into a seperate bowl, then pour the flour/sugar mixture into the beer. Stir the mixture very lightly JUST UNTIL IT comes together. Over mixing will cause your beer bread to be tough.
Pour the bread dough into a greased loaf pan. Then melt the 3 tbsp of butter and pour over top of the dough. That is what will give you a golden crispy crust! YUM
Now bake the beer bread on 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Let the butter cool for about 5 minutes before digging in.
Variations on Beer Bread
This bread can be spiced up, literally, to go with the menu you are serving or to use up herbs you have in your fridge. Here are some ideas for adding flavors to your bread:
- chopped fresh rosemary
- italian herb mixture
- fresh minced garlic
- dill
- shredded cheddar cheese and garlic
- chopped chives
- kalamata olives
Beer for Beer Bread
From the research I have done online it looks like you can use just about any beer you would like, pilsner, light beer, stout, IPA. Just like using wine in food, use a beer that you would like to drink. Although I would recommend staying away from some of the new flavored beers, like lime and orange.
I have used Miller Light, Bud Light, and Boulevard Pale Ale and they have all worked perfectly! Let me know in the comments what type of beer you choose to use in the recipe!
Serving Beer Bread
4 Ingredient Beer Bread makes an amazing table bread, especially if you are able to serve it straight out of the oven when it is crispiest! If you choose to make this bread ahead follow these steps to make the most delicious golden toasty table bread:
- Cut bread into thick slices
- Butter both sides and place them on a sheet pan. Add any seasoning you would like (garlic).
- Place in a 400 degree oven for 5-8 minutes, flipping the slices half way thru.
I hope you try this 4 Ingredient Bread in your kitchen.
Love, Susie
4 Ingredient Beer Bread Recipe
4 Ingredient Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups self rising flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 12oz can of beer
**optional- spices or herbs (garlic, chives, olives, rosemary)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375. Prepare your loaf pan with baking spray.
- Pour beer into a large bowl, and set aside.
- Sift 3 heaping cups of flour into a separate bowl. Measure three exact cups from that sifted flour into another bowl.
- Add the sugar to the sifted flour and stir to mix. (add herbs/mix-ins here, if using)
- Pour the flour mixture into the beer and mix JUST UNTIL MOIST & COMBINED. Overmixing will cause your loaf to be tough.
- Pour dough into prepared loaf pan.
- Top with melted butter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden and crisp on the top.
Originally posted 4-4-2017, Photos and copy updated 4-3-2019 (the recipe is still the same great recipe!!)
J says
Do you have to use self rising flour? I only have regular flour , would that work
Susie says
No, unfortunately it only works with self rising flour.
Esmeralda Ortiz says
No, you can add baking soda and salt I believe (sorry I don’t have the substitutions on hand) and it works too. I made it with those substitutions and it was delicious and so easy. My first attempt at baking homemade bread and I was so impressed with how simple it was.
Esmeralda Ortiz says
No. I made it by adding this and it was delicious.
TIP: If you don’t have self-rising flour on hand, add 1 tbsp of baking powder and 1 tsp of salt to all purpose flour in it’s place.
Susie says
Thank you so much for adding this, Esmeralda!
Patty Stone says
Is the beer supposed to be cold or room temperature? Since I’ll only be buying beer to make bread I don’t want to take up fridge space unless needed.
Susie says
I have only made it with cold beer. But I think a room temp beer would work just fine!
Jeanette says
Salt!!!!!!
Tawnie Kroll says
this was so easy to make an my entire family LOVED it!!! thank you!!
John says
I love good bread and this is great bread! The taste and textures are amazing!!! 🤤😋🤤😋