No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (2024)

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Do you want to know how to make bread without yeast or baking soda? This easy, no-yeast milk bread recipe is perfect for anyone who wants fresh homemade bread in minutes! No kneading, rising, or special equipment is required!

No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (1)

Making a loaf of yeastless bread is easier than you think and tastes just as good. It takes five essential ingredients: flour, baking powder, butter, egg, and milk, and it's excellent when you need it in a hurry!

Table of Contents

1) 📃 Why it Works

2) 🍞 The Fail

3) 🛒 Ingredients and Notes

4) 🔪 Instructions

5) 👉 Variations

6) ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

7) ✍ Reviews

8) 🍽 How To Serve It

9) 😋 Other Baked Goods to Try

10) 📖 Recipe

11) No Yeast Quick Bread (Croatian Recipe)

Nothing satisfies like a fresh, homemade loaf of bread. And when you're stuck at home without yeast to make the dough and give your house that comforting smell?

You can make a fantastic loaf without yeast that's just like proper, old-fashioned plain doughy white stuff! This delicious loaf of homemade white bread tastes as good on day two as it did when first made - perfect for sandwiches or dipping into soups/chilis.

📃 Why it Works

  • You don't need yeast; it doesn't require buttermilk or baking soda.
  • It takes minimal effort to make this beauty - mixed in the bowl with a wooden spoon - no kneading or rising!
  • It goes great with all sorts of dishes! Use it for sandwiches, French toast, andgrilled cheese.
  • All you need are five pantry staples and 40 minutes to enjoy this fresh-outta-the-oven loaf of goodness.
  • It has a dense yet soft crumb (not crumbly like some muffins), perfect for smearing with butter.
  • This milk bread doesn't taste soapy, salty, or bitter like some soda bread.

In tough times like COVID-19, we work harder and learn new cooking skills. We improvise, use leftovers creatively, and even make classic recipes without key ingredients like yeast.

We can do this, as we've done it before, when we lacked food and peace.

I had my first yeastless bread when I visited my aunt in Croatia. I remember the taste and texture of it, but not the entire recipe. Now, it's being recreated.

🍞 The Fail

No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (2)

Most recipes without yeast will add eggs, so I did too. To be exact, I put in three eggs. I also used too much milk, so the dough was runny, and the finished product was too eggy and unappealing.

You can see my lame effort to make it presentable by sprinkling it with black sesame seeds. 🤦🏻‍♀️😆 But then I nailed it!

This milk bread is the best for those who love to keep things simple. You won't find any complicated steps in this recipe!

🛒 Ingredients and Notes

This homemade loaf will rise just fine without the baking soda, which gives it a sour flavor note, as in Irish soda bread, for example, or sourdough bread that takes days to make.

No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (3)

Flour - We used unbleached all-purpose by King Arthur because that's what we had on hand. White flour will yield more tender crumbs, but you can use wheat or do half and half. I haven't tried using gluten-free flour, so I can't say it would yield the same results.

Baking powder - This makes this no-yeast bread rise, and it's essential to use. However, you can use self-raising flour as an alternative.

Milk - Best to use full-fat, but it's not a rule. Skim milk, almond milk, or other non-dairy milk will work too.

Butter - You will get a buttery flavor with most of the benefits of the oil. Using oil might result in a denser texture.

Egg yolk - For brushing the loaf before baking, it will give the crust a golden brown color that is slightly shiny.

Salt - For seasoning.

🔪 Instructions

You don't need special skills to bake this simple Croatian milk loaf. Even novice bakers can follow these easy step-by-step instructions.

Step 1

No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (4)

*Keep scrolling to get the full (printable) recipe, ingredient amounts, and more tips.

  1. Melt the butter in milk.
  2. Mix flour with baking powder and salt.
  3. Add half the dry ingredients to the milk and butter mixture, mixing with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add the remainder of the dry ingredients; mix to incorporate.

Step 2

No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (5)
  1. Transfer the dough to a clean surface.
  2. Knead for a couple of minutes to shape it into a loaf.
  3. Place on parchment paper.

Step 3

No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (6)
  1. Transfer the loaf with parchment paper to a loaf pan.
  2. Brush with egg yolk.
  3. Slash the top of the dough with a sharp knife. Bake for 30 min.
  • You can substitute butter with four tablespoons of oil (canola, vegetable, or even olive oil).
  • When measuring, level off the flour, baking powder, and salt with the back of a knife. These measuring "levups" and "levoons" really help too!
  • You can sprinkle the top with sesame, poppy seeds, or oatmeal before baking.
  • If you don't have a loaf pan, use a round 8 or 9-inch baking pan (or you can shape it any way you want).
  • If you enjoy your loaf warm, resist slicing it with a knife but rather tear it with your hands. If you cut it into a hot loaf, it will withdraw and turn gummy and sticky. Most bread will need 30-45 minutes to cool.
  • To slice bread, use a serrated knife. It will make it easier and neater to cut slices.

👉 Variations

One of our favorite things to do is mix in one or more different flavors. You can change this plain bread by adding sharp cheddar cheese with herbs like Italian seasoning (try our homemade blends)! Here are some other ideas:

  • Buttermilk + chopped olives and rosemary
  • Sour cream + chives
  • Feta cheese + marjoram, dill, and mint
  • Parmesan + garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil
  • Oats + honey
No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (7)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will no yeast milk bread last?

It has no preservatives, so it's best to eat it on the same day. If you need to store for more than a day or two (and don't want your bread molding!), seal up any leftovers in an airtight container and pop it into the fridge. Then lightly warm it up in a toaster or oven.

Can I freeze yeastless milk bread?

This recipe makes a small loaf, so you likely won't have leftovers, but if you must freeze it, use it up within two months. Warm it up in a lightly greased pan in a 350F oven for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Can I make this bread vegan?

Absolutely. Use vegan butter and dairy-free milk. Substitute butter with oil. You will only need half of the amount the recipe calls for the butter. Note that the texture will be denser with oil. Brush the loaf with oil or almond milk as an alternative to egg yolk.

How do I know when my bread is done baking?

The more often you bake, the easier it will be to tell, but here are a couple of other methods you can use:
1. Hold the loaf in one hand and tap the bottom of it with your finger. If it sounds hollow, it's done.
2. Insert athermometerat an angle through the side of the loaf. Bread made with butter, milk, or eggs is usually done at about 200F.

This loaf turned out differently than regular bread. What did I do wrong?

Nothing. Bread without yeast will have a different texture and taste. The crumb is similar to that of biscuits or pound cake. It's still delicious, though!

Reviews

"I can't thank you enough for sharing this recipe with the world! I came across this recipe while searching for bread with no yeast on Pinterest. Guess what!? My family loved this cozy bread, and now we want it all the time! Great for and with everything! Brings my family together, from the smell to the taste!" - Bianca, via Pinterest.

"This was absolutely worth doing love it, and bonus, hubby the fussy eater loves it. Thank you I'm so happy I found this recipe will definitely be making more" - Tracy, via Pinterest.

"It was soo good and yummy and easy. All my friends loved it. I made it instead of Challah for Shabbat, but also braided the bread like challah bread." - Lena, via Pinterest.

"Tastes very much like biscuits! I made it with reduced-fat milk, and it did not affect the recipe. It's very rich and delicious, and I'll surely make it again. 😋" - Jenna, via Pinterest.

🍽 How To Serve It

Smear it with butter, peanut butter, jam, Nutella, or cream cheese. It is also great for making sandwiches or dipping in garlic olive oil, and it tastes even better when used in conjunction with soups, stews, or chilis.

Here are a few of our favorite recipes that would be perfect for enjoying this wonderful slice:

  • Bosnian Cabbage Stew
  • Chili con Carne
  • Beef and Vegetable Stew
  • Mexican Chicken Soup
No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (8)

😋 Other Baked Goods to Try

  • How to Make No-Knead Artisan Bread
  • Easy Bavarian Pretzel Rolls
  • German Soft Pretzel Corners - Laugenecken
  • Danish Yeast Buns with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Raisins

    🧡 LIKED THIS RECIPE? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. 😋 HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates.

    📖 Recipe

    No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (13)

    No Yeast Quick Bread (Croatian Recipe)

    By Jas

    Do you want to know how to make bread without yeast or baking soda? This easy emergency bread recipe is perfect for anyone who wants fresh homemade milk bread in minutes! No kneading, rising, or special equipment is required!

    4.8 from 49 votes

    Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe

    Prep Time 5 minutes mins

    Cook Time 30 minutes mins

    Total Time 35 minutes mins

    Course Bread, Side

    Cuisine Croatian

    Yields 10 servings

    Calories 191 kcal

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric

    • 1 pound all-purpose flour, we used King Arthur's unbleached
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 stick butter, 8 tablespoon or 4 tablespoon oil
    • 1 ¼ cup whole milk
    • 1 egg yolk, optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 395 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • In a saucepan, over low heat, whisk 1 stick butter and 1 ¼ cup whole milk until butter melts, but the milk is not hot (if it is, let it cool down a bit). Transfer the milk and butter mixture to a large mixing bowl.

    • Meanwhile, in another mixing bowl, whisk together 1 pound flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and one teaspoon salt.

    • Pour the half of the dry ingredients (eyeball it) into the milk and butter mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until well incorporated and lump-free, about 2 minutes. Pour in the remainder of the dry ingredients and mix until blended.

    • Transfer the dough on a lightly floured clean surface and knead until the dough is smooth, for about 3-4 minutes. The dough should not be sticky, but it should be soft and pliable!

    • Shape the dough into a loaf and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Transfer to a 9" loaf pan. Brush the top with egg yolk. At this point, you can slash the dough with a very sharp serrated knife a few times if you wish.

    • Bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    • You can substitute butter with four tablespoons of oil (canola, vegetable, or even olive oil).
    • Add your favorite herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, basil, or oregano) to the dough for a different flavor.
    • When measuring, level off the flour, baking powder, and salt with the back of a knife. These measuring "levups" and "levoons" really help too!
    • You can sprinkle the bread with sesame, poppy seeds, or oatmeal before baking.
    • If you don't have a loaf pan, use a round 8 or 9-inch baking pan (or you can shape it any way you want).
    • Egg yolk wash is optional, but it helps with the color. Without it, this bread is pretty pale.
    • Oven temperatures vary. If yours doesn't run hot, you might need to bake your bread longer.
    • If you enjoy your loaf warm, resist slicing it with a knife but rather tear it with your hands. If you cut into a hot loaf, it will withdraw and turn gummy and sticky. Most bread will need 30-45 minutes to cool.
    • You can always warm it up in a 350F oven for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
    • To slice bread, use a serrated bread knife. It will make it easier and neater to cut slices.
    • For the best results, read additional tips and FAQs in the post above.
    • Please remember that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used.

    How Much Flour?

    Flour type, humidity, temperature, altitude, and many other factors can impact how much flour you need, but it doesn't have to. Update: others made this recipe, using the exact amount as indicated, with success. Keep in mind that wet dough yields moist crumbs.

    Storage

    Refrigerate the leftover bread in an airtight container or a storage bag for a couple of days. This recipe is freezer-friendly. Leftovers are best if slightly warmed in the toaster or oven.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 191kcal (10%) | Carbohydrates: 37g (12%) | Protein: 6g (12%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (5%) | Cholesterol: 23mg (8%) | Sodium: 249mg (10%) | Potassium: 210mg (6%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 75IU (2%) | Calcium: 96mg (10%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)

    Tried this Recipe? ❤️ Tag us on Facebook!Let us know how it was! Mention @AllThatsJas or tag #allthatsjas!

    No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe • All that's Jas (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the secret to success when making quick breads? ›

    Quick breads are typically mixed by hand, and it's important not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the gluten in the flour to develop, resulting in a tough and chewy bread. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined, and then stop. If there are a few lumps in the batter, that's okay.

    What are the 7 ingredients sometimes found in quick breads? ›

    The possibilities are endless, but the common factor is the basic ingredients of fat, sugar, eggs, flour, liquid, leavening agent, and a flavoring ingredient.

    What are two ingredients that allow quick breads to rise? ›

    Quick breads are so named because they use baking powder and/or baking soda to get their rise rather than yeast.

    What is the secret for mixing quick breads? ›

    Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients all at once. Using a wooden spoon, mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened, 15 to 20 light strokes. There should be some small lumps. Overmixing can cause quick breads to be tough, bake unevenly or cause elongated holes (or tunnels).

    What is the most common mistake when making quick breads? ›

    The 12 Most Common Bread Baking Mistakes to Avoid
    • Over-flouring wet dough. ...
    • Failing to keep notes. ...
    • Ignoring the water factor. ...
    • Always using commercial yeast. ...
    • Doing everything in a standing mixer. ...
    • Switching up flours willy-nilly. ...
    • Too hot, or too cold. ...
    • Being impatient.
    Mar 29, 2017

    What is the main thing to avoid when making quick breads? ›

    Don't Overmix

    When stirring up quick bread recipes, it's important not to overmix the batter once you've added flour. Instead, mix until the liquid and dry ingredients are just combined. And, yes, it's OK to have a few small lumps leftover.

    What two chemicals must be in a quick bread recipe in order for it to have a chemical leavening reaction which gives off carbon dioxide and makes quick breads rise? ›

    Combining baking soda with an acid produces a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas which causes the food to expand and become fluffy.

    What does egg do in quick bread? ›

    Muffin and Quick Bread Ratio of Ingredients

    Sugar, in addition to its interaction with fats, adds flavor, color, and aids in the tenderization of the batter. Eggs provide structure and act as an emulsifier by surrounding fat particles and helping trap air contributing lightness and volume.

    What are the 3 types of quick breads? ›

    Types of Quick Bread
    • Banana bread: This is one of the most popular kinds of quick bread. ...
    • Cornbread: This yeast-free bread is a fantastic compliment to any meal—especially chilis and other hearty fare.
    • Soda bread: You guessed it: Soda bread gets its name from the baking soda used in the recipe.
    Feb 8, 2021

    What makes quick breads tender and fluffy? ›

    Fat or Shortening: Makes quick breads tender or "short". It gives them their fine texture, aids in browning and helps keep the finished product moist. Eggs: Binds the ingredients together. Beaten eggs act as a leavening agent by adding air.

    Why does my quick bread crack on top? ›

    First, why the crack occurs: Since quick breads and pound cake batters tend to be thick and dense, the exterior bakes first. But as the center of the cake continues to bake, releasing moisture, it rises, pushing through the top crust, and creating a crack.

    Why did my quick bread fall in the middle? ›

    The editors said one of the most common reasons layer cakes and quick breads fall is that the pan is overfilled. “If the batter reaches the top of the pan and still needs to rise, it will collapse,” they wrote. They also recommended checking to make sure the leavening (baking soda or baking powder) was not stale.

    Can quick bread be overmixed? ›

    Overmixing is a common problem with quick breads and is certain to happen with an electric mixer. Use only 15 to 20 light hand strokes with a spoon when mixing the combined liquid and combined dry ingredients together. There should be some lumps in the batter. Overmixing is a common problem with quick breads.

    What are three ingredients that can be added to quick breads to add variety flavor and texture? ›

    Sugar and other sweeteners, such as brown sugar or molasses, improve the flavor and color of quick breads. Sugar also helps in creaming. Salt strength- ens gluten and adds flavor. In addition, leavening agents, such as double-acting baking powder or baking soda, allow quick breads to leaven, or rise.

    What are the 5 types of quick breads? ›

    Quick breads include many cakes, brownies and cookies—as well as banana bread, pumpkin bread, beer bread, biscuits, cornbread, muffins, pancakes, scones, and soda bread.

    What is the secret to making bread? ›

    12 tips for making perfect bread
    • Use the right yeast. ...
    • Store your yeast properly. ...
    • Treat salt with care. ...
    • Take your time. ...
    • Try different flours. ...
    • Consider vitamin C. ...
    • Practice makes perfect. ...
    • Don't prove for too long.

    What makes a successful bread? ›

    To determine whether bread is of good quality, there are several factors and characteristics you can identify. For example the crust must be crisp and of a darker tone than the inside, a strong flavour and taste due to the flour, as well as a pleasant smell. What's also important is that the conservation is longer.

    What are three facts about quick breads? ›

    About Quick Breads

    Quick breads are pretty self-explanatory – they're called quick because they're relatively quick to make. Quick bread loaves and coffeecakes use baking powder or baking soda for leavening agents, and require little to no kneading. Fruits, nuts, oats, vegetables and spices can add flavor.

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