3 Ingredient Beer Bread is crunchy and rustic on the outside while remaining moist and slightly sweet inside. Make this yeast-free bread and serve it with chili or a hearty soup!
Carbs are my best friend. I can’t let ’em go, even when they maybe haven’t been so nice to me. They like to stick around sometimes, ya know?
But I love them nonetheless. And I know you do too, because otherwise could we really be friends?
Three Ingredient Beer Bread is high on my carb-loving mind during these chilly winter months… especially because it is SO. EASY.
I know I’ve posted easy recipes before, but I think this one takes the cake.
With only three ingredients to mix and an oven to bake, you can throw it in and be done in a snap.
Think of all the things you can get done while it’s baking and you’re not kneading and rolling and cutting…
SO. MUCH.
WHAT TO LOVE ABOUT 321 BREAD
Some call 3 2 1 bread, some call it 123 beer bread, and at the end of the day it’s a beer bread recipe with 3 ingredients and there’s so much to love.
- Hearty crunch with a moist, light inside…
- …that is slightly sweet with traces of beer flavor
- 3 ingredients and DONE
- It’s a no-yeast recipe!
- one bowl, stir, and bake bread!
- makes a perfect pair with whipped honey butter
Simple Tools You’ll Need
BEST KIND OF BEER FOR BREAD
You might roll your eyes… it’s the kind you like to drink!
Since I’m not really a beer drinker, I usually go for a lighter beer; it adds the flavor but has less of the hoppy or deep dark beer flavor that some have (don’t you love how technical I am about beer …haha!).
And if you have kids…no need to worry! The alcohol bakes out!
And as I said, I don’t actually really care for beer (if you’re just tuning in – I’m a wine girl all the way), but that doesn’t stop me from spreading on some butter and chowing down on two, or three…or four… slices of this homemade bread.
So it’s not just for beer lovers, my friend!
It’s for those of us that love cozying up on cold winter nights and having some super easy soul-warming food!
I’ve also played around with this recipe: adding melted butter to the top before cooking, mixing in diced jalapenos, adding a little honey.
Honestly, they all worked but didn’t add a WOW factor that could outweigh the super simpleness of the 3 ingredient bread. So, I thought we’d just leave it super simple and easy for now.
Feeling adventurous? Let me know how you change it up!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH BEER BREAD
My #1 choice: CLASSIC CHILI!
While the chili simmers, throw this super quick and easy bread in the oven, then sit back and have a beer while you wait for your amazingly easy and delicious dinner come together.
And either enjoy that football game or go ahead and keep binging on Netflix.
Get the Recipe 3-Ingredient Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups self-rising flour*
- 1 12 oz can beer, room temperature
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350° and butter or grease a loaf pan.
- Mix all ingredients together and spread in the greased loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour – until internal temperature reaches 185-190°F and the exterior is golden brown.
Notes
This post was originally published on November 9, 2015. The photos were updated in January 2019, along with the text for clarity. No changes were made to the recipe.
This will be a must-try in our family! Thank you for the self-rising flour substitution, too!
No problem, Chris! Enjoy!
Can I use whole wheat flour with this recipe? If so, how does it change the proportions?
I haven’t tried it with whole wheat flour; since it generally makes baked goods a little more dense, I’d suggest starting with less flour (maybe 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 cups) and see how it works. Don’t forget to add the baking powder and salt as noted below the recipe. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you try it out!
So quick and easy, and delicious too! This is a must have when I make chili.
SO good with chili!
best bread ever!!! been wanting something easy and quick. taste great.
Easy and quick it is! I’m so glad you enjoyed, Arlene. Thanks for commenting!
I’d love to try this and add cheese and garlic. But you didn’t mention how much shredded cheese to add, and I don’t want to overwhelm the dough and make it soggy. Could you give me some guideline amounts for: Rosemary, Shredded Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, etc.?
Thanks – I can hardly wait for your answer!
Hi Cindy! I usually add about 3/4 to 1 cup shredded cheese and 2 garlic cloves that are minced. You could also add in a teaspoon or so of garlic powder. For fresh rosemary, I’d likely use 1/2 – 1 TBSP. If I’m just making it for me, I usually eyeball stuff like this, but will test it with exact amounts next time I have the ingredients. I haven’t tried baking it with anything like roasted red peppers, but now I should try, too! 🙂 Let me know how it turns out!
I’ve made this thee times and it comes out so dry. Is it from over-mixing or too long in the oven? Is it because I’m using a Lite beer? I just can’t figure it out.
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that. What size loaf pan are you using? I’d guess it’s from baking too long, and possibly a larger loaf pan. Do you have an oven thermometer? One could help make sure the oven temperature isn’t running too hot, too.
What size can of beer for this beer bread recipe?
3 ingredients on my recipe:
1 can of beer
2 cups flour
3 Tlbs sugar
Hi Sharon – a standard 12 oz can of beer.
Thanks Becca for the Self-Rising flour version too! These helpful hints for us that do not cook or bake help soooo much!
So glad to hear! Thanks, Penny!
This is simple and delicious. When I visited my son I made a loaf every other day. It makes fantastic toast! This is one of my favorite recipes. I use a dark beer which makes it even more flavorful
Yay, I’m so glad to hear! Thanks so much, Betty!
This is so, so easy and really good! I have been crazy about ginger beer lately, and used that for my first loaf. I can definitely taste the ginger, giving it a bit of a “snap”. I poured a good 1/4 cup of melted butter over the top after it had been in the oven for about 10 minutes. I don’t know if this helped the crunchy crust, but it is very crunchy. Delicious! I’m thinking about using a blackberry IPA next. Thank you for the sharing of this recipe… and the tip about adding the baking powder if using regular flour. Blessings..
Yay! I’m so glad to hear you love it. I can’t wait to try ginger beer – that sounds so good. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful comment and yummy suggestions! 🙂
I have made this recipe many times and everyone loves it. So simple and delicious.
I’m so glad to hear! Thanks, Debbie!
Hi
Just found your site. Baking a loaf right now to go with chicken & veggie soup
Sounds delicious, hope you enjoy!
Been making this for years. I vary the sugar up or down depending on if I’m using it sweet or savory. I all cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg (whatever) with nuts for seter ones. For savory I’ve also added cheese & rosemary, anise also but that’s an acquired taste. Just love it any old way!
Oh yum! I’m going to have to try some of these sweet versions especially! I love adding cheese too 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
So easy and so delicious !
So glad to hear you enjoyed!
Can you use a light beer?
Yep!
I just made 2 loaves of this tonight, I doubled the recipe of course. I used Miller lite beer, added a tad bit sugar and added about 6 tablespoons of honey. It was so amazingly delicious!
Thanks so much for sharing, Tracey! I’m glad you enjoyed (and have double :))!
I love this bread. I had forgotten about it until today when I suddenly realized we were out of bread. I had the beer and the flour and we had a tasty loaf of bread in a flash. since it is so easy and quick to make I plan on experimenting with add ins.
Yay! So glad to hear! Thanks, Gloria!