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This cheddar beer bread is moist, chewy, and loaded with cheese. It’s super easy to make and unlike any other kind of bread.
There are few things in life as great as homemade bread. And this cheddar beer bread recipe is one of my favorite breads to bake. The beer’s flavor really shines through, making this bread super unique. Plus, the beer helps the bread stay moist and soft as it bakes.
But my favorite thing about this bread is how cheesy it is. Cheese and beer are a match made in heaven, Beer Cheese Soup anyone? The melty cheddar cheese adds the perfect richness and saltiness to this bread. You don’t even need to put anything on it, a slice of this beer bread is delicious plain.
Erin’s Notes
- So easy. Bread doesn’t have to be complicated, and this recipe is proof of that. This cheesy beer bread takes an hour to make, but almost all of that time is spent in the oven. It only takes 5 minutes of work! You don’t have to deal with kneading, resting, or any of those hassles when you make this bread.
- Super simple. Even though this recipe is bursting with flavor, it only uses ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry. There are just 8 ingredients in this recipe, and they’re all common household items.
- Easy to store. You can keep leftovers in the freezer for a long time, and toast up a slice anytime you want it.
- Amazing flavors. Can you imagine a better food combination than beer and cheese? These flavors go together perfectly and make one of the most rich and flavorful breads you’ll ever eat.
Ingredients Needed
Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this cheesy beer bread. Make sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each of the ingredients.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Shredded cheddar cheese – For best results, shred your own cheese.
- Beer – use a beer you want to drink and has good flavor. Something like a Coor Light or Bud Light isn’t going to really give much flavor to this bread.
- Butter
Cheddar Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 12 oz beer
- 1 Tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cheddar cheese.3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Add the beer to the bowl and fold in until combined.1 12 oz beer
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Spread the melted butter over the top.1 Tablespoon melted butter
- Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes, until a tester comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
- Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and placing on a wire rack.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight bag (ideally double-bagged) in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for 4 months.
- Reheat in a toaster.
- The bread will taste best in the first 2 days. After that it will lose some of the beer flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cheddar Beer Bread
Here’s how to make this quick and easy beer bread. It’s so simple!
- Prep. Preheat your oven to 350F, and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cheese in a bowl, and mix to combine.
- Add the beer. Pour the beer into the mixing bowl and fold it in.
- Put it in the pan. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, and spread melted butter over the top of it.
- Bake. Put the loaf pan on a baking sheet, and put it in the oven. Bake until a toothpick or knife inserted into the middle of the bread comes out clean. This should take 45-55 minutes.
- Cool. Remove the loaf pan from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes, then remove the bread and place it on a wire rack.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tricks to consider when you make this cheddar beer bread.
- Choose the right beer. The beer flavor from this recipe is pretty strong. So the bread will taste very differently depending on what beer you use. I think this recipe is best with beers such as lagers and ales. But if you’re a fan of bitter foods, you can make it with an IPA. Using a heavy beer like a stout, porter, or brown ale makes for a rich and sweet loaf of bread. This can be good for some beer bread but doesn’t go as well with this cheesy recipe.
- Don’t over-mix. When you add the beer to the recipe, make sure to fold it in carefully. You don’t want to over-mix the ingredients, or else the bread might end up dense. Fold the beer in lightly, and stop as soon as the ingredients are fully mixed together.
- Cool fully. This easy recipe will make your entire house smell amazing while it bakes. So it’s tempting to start eating it as soon as it’s out of the oven. Resist that temptation and let the bread cool fully before you slice into it. That will allow the beer bread to firm up and not fall apart.
Recipe Variations
- Jalapeño cheddar beer bread: Fold 1 diced, seeded jalapeño into the batter along with the cheese for a little kick.
- Cheese swap: Pepper jack or gruyère in place of cheddar for a different flavor profile.
- Add herbs: Fold in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or chives with the dry ingredients.
- Add-ins: Crumbled cooked bacon or sliced scallions stirred in with the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Most of the time I eat this easy beer bread as a side dish or an appetizer, with a little butter on it. But I also love to serve it at parties with a delicious dip. Here are a few of my favorites.
Storage & Freezing
Cheddar beer bread will last in the fridge for 5 days, as long as you store it in an airtight bag or wrap it in plastic wrap. However, the beer flavor will begin to fade, so it will taste best if you eat it within 48 hours of baking. You can reheat leftovers in the toaster.
Freezing: You can definitely freeze cheesy beer bread. Let the bread cool fully, then slice it. Double bag the bread in airtight plastic bags, then place it in the freezer for up to 4 months. You can toast beer bread directly from the freezer.
Brushing the melted butter all the way to the edges of the batter before baking helps, and baking on the lower-middle oven rack so the top isn’t too close to the heating element. If your top still looks pale, you can finish it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes — just watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
Yes, self-rising flour already includes baking powder and salt, so you can swap it in and skip those two ingredients. If you go this route, just leave out the baking powder and salt called for in the recipe.
Most of the alcohol bakes off in the oven, similar to cooking with wine. What’s left behind is mostly the beer’s flavor, not the alcohol content.
More Easy Bread Recipes to Make
Want to get into making bread? Here are a few of my other favorite recipes to try baking!
Holy cow, that bread looks amazing! I’m going to put some diced jalapenos in mine, too.
This bread looks so soft and full of flavor. Absolutely love this recipe!
I can’t wait to try this cheddar beer bread! I love the texture of this bread!
This bread is so tasty, I absolutely love it and how easy it is to make!
I plan on making this bread, but I have a question. Is there any way to get a nice golden brown crust on the top? The photos make it look like it was cooked in a microwave.