Best 3 Ingredient Beer Bread

Best 3 ingredient beer bread recipe with self rising flour is easy and here! Add cheese and chiles to make it out of this world! Served as a side dish or appetizer with dip. It’s a real winner with everyone, even those who aren’t fans of beer.

Easy 3 Ingredient Beer Bread Recipe

I started out years ago finding a recipe for beer bread on food.com. Recipe called for just 2 ingredients but I modified it to my liking adding cheese too! You can alter it all sorts of ways beyond the basic items necessary for the batter.

That’s right! Just 2 dry ingredients + a beer of your choice. I choose what is on sale, and the lightest version. You just pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake until the top is a golden brown.

3-2-1 Beer Bread

You may have heard it called this. Why? Because you need 3 cups self-rising flour + 2 tbsp sugar or we changed it to diced chiles to keep it more savory + 1 bottle of beer to make. Then comes the variations but that is the base to start with.

What kind of beer makes the best beer bread?

I like blonde so it is not strong but use your favorite. For something like Guinness it will change the color of the end result to something that is darker and more brown as well as having that classic rich flavor of that lager.

What can I use instead of beer in beer bread?

Now you can use a can of soda if you’d rather but beer really gives it a nice flavor. The closest flavor would be gingerale I guess if I had to choose something without alcohol. The most important aspect of this liquid is that the carbonation makes it lighter than if you used water.

I would consider using it though for the flavor, that’s even coming from someone who is not a beer drinker. I use it to make this and beer battered fish air fryer too and it tastes amazing.

Is there alcohol in beer bread?

The alcohol basically cooks out so no worries serving it to the kiddos. Yes there may be a very small bit left at the end but it would not have an effect on you. If you are still concerned just use some sparkling cider.

I used to buy this Tastefully Simple mix online but when I learned how quick and easy it was I was kicking myself, live and learn I guess! Now I make it myself and get so many compliments when bringing it to a potluck or serving at our parties.

How to Make Beer Bread with Cheese

• In a bowl you just gently mix your beer and flour together (do not over mix) until blended but still lumpy. 
• Add 1/2 of your melted butter into the mix. 
• If you are adding other ingredients with your batter with beer add them gently now. 
• Add mixture into greased loaf pan.
• Pour the remaining butter on top and put in oven at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes.
  • cook time variations may be if you add more cheese, or if you’re at altitude it may take closer to 50 minutes.
• It’s done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf.

As always when you are baking bread at home keep an eye on it at the end. You want it to have a nice light brown color on the top. A knife just needs to come out clean when placed into the center too so there is no raw dough in the center.

with cheese

I also occasionally add other ingredients to the basic best beer bread recipe like cheddar cheese and a bit of oregano. It is up to you. Dice up a jalapeno and add it in to give it a bit of a kick too, that is great! Just fold into the batter at the end.

I allow it to sit in the pan for about 10 minutes sitting on a cooling rack. Then you can slide it out easily (assuming you sprayed it at the beginning) and slice on a cutting board. Things to serve as a main dish are:

Ingredients for Beer Bread

Here are the main 3 items you need for the base and then from there you can choose the add ins. I will say that shredded cheddar and some mild chiles are my fave. Some like 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 1 tbsp white gently folded in for a sweeter type. Not my go to but whatever floats your boat. I like savory.

1. Self rising flour – all purpose flour will NOT work
2. Beer – any brand works, either light beer or darker beer but I prefer blonde
3. Butter to pour on top for buttery beer bread
   • Non stick spray
   • Bread pan – my 9×5″ loaf pan works well

What else can you add?

1. Cheddar cheese – 1/2 cup to 1 cup is yummy
2. Diced chiles – I use canned 4 oz.
3. Jalapenos diced fine
4. Bacon bits are great even

You’ll want a large bowl to mix together. Key is to not overmix it, it will be chunky and not smooth, thick and that is perfect.

Beer Bread with Self Rising Flour

Let it cool once it’s out of the oven. I would remove it from the pan so it doesn’t continue to cook. You can spread a bit of butter on your slice, serve as is, or serve your beer bread with dip.

• If you’re making this as an appetizer, just cut into slices and then into bite sized pieces so they’re easy to pick up.
• Prepare dip mixes as required on the packages.
• Serve together on a platter, everyone will love it I assure you.

Jalapeno Cheddar Beer Bread

I like it because it is so versatile depending on what you want to add to it. I suggest at least 1/4 cup cheese, sharp is our favorite but that is up to you. Dice up 1/2 small jalapeno and add that in for a spicy element if you like. It is great served with a hot dip or chilled to just go all the way. You could use dairy-free cheese too if needed.

NO need to use a stand mixer, measure out flour and baking powder and salt for this one because it’s way easier than that. You could even skip the pan and try to scoop some out for easy rolls on a cookie sheet. 

I haven’t tried this method yet but I’m pretty sure it would work really well. When I tackle that I will share it with you below too. 

Instant Pot beer bread was made recently though so I can share that, which we serve with pressure cooker beer can chicken (of course) Take note that in a pressure cooker all baked goods come out a lot more dense.

What should you serve this with

• I serve this often with our crockpot 5 ingredient chili and it’s perfect. This is sort of like a quick bread of sorts since there are only a few items needed.
• It’s the perfect addition to any St. Patrick’s Day meal. Paired with our easy Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage recipe you’ll get thumbs up all around for sure.

If you wanted a sweeter version you could add 2 tbsp of honey to the base. Fold it in at the very end once the other 3 are incorporated but not overmixed. Want to try something yummy with this? Try our Instant Pot beer cheese soup!