Bread baking doesn’t get easier than this rustic, buttery Beer Bread! It takes just minutes to prepare with a few simple ingredients, and best of all, it requires no kneading and no yeast!

Loaf of beer bread sliced on a cutting board

Homemade bread is always best, but making it from scratch can be very time consuming.

There are certainly a few tricks to make it more effortless — my rosemary focaccia bread, hard apple cider bread and this Brown Butter Maple Beer Bread are prime examples!

This recipe is like magic….you won’t believe how easy it is! The yeast from beer works with the starches in the flour to create a light, airy bread that is beyond delicious.

Sliced beer bread on a cutting board

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • This beer bread recipe results in a rustic loaf with a light, airy texture and amazingly crispy edges.
  • It’s a delicious combination of flavors including beer, brown butter and mild sweetness of maple syrup.
  • It comes together in minutes with a few simple ingredients. The best part is that it requires no yeast!
  • It’s the perfect side for soup and chili, and it’s freezer friendly!

Recipe ingredients

This recipe only requires 5 simple ingredients that you more than likely have on hand.

Beer bread recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Flour. I use all purpose flour in this recipe. If you’d like to make it whole grain, I recommend using the same amount of whole wheat white flour, or half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour.
  • Beer. Any type of beer will work perfectly in this recipe. Darker beer will add a more pronounced flavor, while lighter beers will be more mild.
  • Butter. Use unsalted butter to control the amount of sodium. I browned the butter for a big flavor boost, but you can skip that process and use plain melted butter as well.
  • Maple syrup. The maple syrup adds flavor and sweetness that complements the brown butter and beer. Feel free to substitute it with your favorite sweetener.

How to make this recipe

This beer bread recipe couldn’t be easier to make. There is no yeast involved and no kneading, and it comes together in mere minutes.

Brown butter and pan prep collage
Beer bread batter collage
Beer bread before and after baking
  1. Place the butter in a small sauce pan and cook over medium low heat until melted. Increase the heat to medium and cook until browned and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  2. Place 1 tablespoon of brown butter into a standard loaf pan and brush along the bottom and all sides of the pan.
  3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
  4. Add the beer and maple syrup to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Top the batter with the remaining brown butter.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely.
Loaf of sliced beer bread with butter in a ramekin

FAQs

What beer is best for beer bread?

Any beer works well in beer bread — use your favorite! Use lighter beer for a mild flavor or darker beer for a more pronounced flavor.

What does beer bread taste like?

Beer bread gets most of its flavor from whatever type of beer you add. The browned butter and maple syrup in this recipe adds even more depth of flavor.

What does beer do in bread dough?

The yeast in beer reacts with baking powder and starches in flour, causing the bread to rise.

Should beer be warm or cold for beer bread?

Beer should be room temperature for beer bread.

Does beer bread need to be refrigerated?

Store beer bread at room temperature for 3-5 days. No refrigeration is required.

Can kids eat beer bread?

Beer bread is safe for children as the alcohol cooks out during baking.

Recipe notes

  • Darker beers will result in a deeper, more prominent beer flavor. The lighter the beer, the milder the flavor!
  • Skip the brown butter process and use plain melted butter if desired.
  • Store leftover beer bread at room temperature wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for 3-5 days, or freeze it for another day!
Slice of beer bread with a pat of butter

What to serve with this recipe:

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below or snap a photo and tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!

Loaf of beer bread sliced on a cutting board

Brown Butter Maple Beer Bread

Servings: 10 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This Easy Beer Bread Recipe is rustic and buttery with a light, airy texture that's out of this world! It takes just minutes to prepare with a few simple ingredients, and best of all, it requires no kneading and no yeast!
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Ingredients

For the beer bread:

  • 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 12 ounces beer room temperature (use your favorite!)

Instructions 

  • Place the butter in a stainless saucepan over low heat until melted. Once melted, increase the heat to medium high and cook until the butter foams and brown spots are visible along the bottom of the pan, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and pour 1 tablespoon of the brown butter into the bottom of a standard loaf pan and brush well along the sides.
    Brown butter and pan prep collage
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the maple syrup and the beer and stir just until combined.
    Beer bread batter collage
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Pour the remaining 3 tablespoons of brown butter over the top of the batter.
  • Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely.
    Beer bread before and after baking

Notes

  • Darker beers will result in a deeper, more prominent beer flavor. The lighter the beer, the milder the flavor!
  • Skip the brown butter process and use plain melted butter if desired.
  • Store leftover beer bread at room temperature wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for 3-5 days, or freeze it for another day!

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 519mg, Potassium: 69mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 140IU, Calcium: 88mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Breads
Cuisine: American
Author: Marcie
Keyword: beer bread, beer bread recipe
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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