Cheddar Gluten-Free Beer Bread (Quick Recipe)

If you are intimidated by gluten-free baking then this extra easy recipe for gluten-free beer bread is the perfect place to start! With only 6 simple ingredients and 5 minutes prep, cheddar beer bread is a gluten-free recipe anyone can handle with ease!

Easy recipe for gluten-free beer bread

Before transitioning to a gluten-free diet, I turned to a quick beer bread recipe when I needed an emergency loaf to serve with meals, soups, or a satisfying, comforting snack.

Just like highly-rated banana bread made with gluten-free flour or gluten-free biscuits, gluten-free beer bread uses a handful of readily-stocked ingredients, requires no yeast or kneading, and always results in an incredible moist and delicious texture.

Since beer is off limits for those with celiac or gluten sensitivities, I didn’t think it would be a possibility to enjoy my favorite bread recipe any longer. But, fortunately times have changed and there are many gluten-free beer brands to make this quick bread possible again!

Below I will show you just how easy gluten-free beer bread is to make, along with many expert tips, mix-in ideas, and modifications to make this recipe work flawlessly every time!

Ingredient Notes

Just like all the recipes shared on the site and in my gluten-free cookbook, I always strive for affordable and easily accessible ingredients. Gluten-free beer is the exception to this, but below I share other options for using beer in bread.

• Gluten-free flour blend – Traditional wheat flour recipes use self-rising flour, such as Bisquick, but I like to avoid having to buy expensive speciality ingredients whenever possible. Use your preferred gluten-free all purpose flour, but I highly recommend Cup4Cup GF flour for best taste, texture, and a moist crumb.
• Sugar – Adding a bit of sweetener enhances the overall taste. Honey may also be substituted.
• Cheddar Cheese – For the cheese flavor to shine through, I recommend freshly grated extra sharp cheddar. However, any cheese may be used. For a dairy-free recipe, omit the cheese and increase the amount of salt by 1/4 teaspoon.
• Gluten-Free Beer – Since the market and availability has expanded in recent years, I’ve created an entire gluten-free beer list resource, including which popular brands are low gluten or GF.
• Butter – Melted butter drizzled on top before baking adds a little fat to increase moisture of the bread and a nice golden, buttery crust.

how to make gluten-free beer bread

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

Unlike this recipe for soft gluten-free sandwich bread or gluten-free dinner rolls, beer bread requires no rising before baking. Simply mix, pour in a loaf pan, and bake for freshly baked bread with minimal effort!

Alternatives for Gluten-Free Beer to use in bread

Gluten-free beers may be expensive or hard to locate in your area. Or, you may still want to enjoy this recipe with what you have on hand. Fortunately, there are many options to replace beer in bread!

• Use an equal amount of soda or seltzer water. Since you will be eliminating that yeasty beer flavor, I suggest adding dried herbs, such as 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or cheddar cheese with cooked and crumbled bacon stirred in.
• Make a sweeter tasting bread. Increase the sugar (or honey) to 1/4 cup and replace the beer with lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or Mountain Dew.
• Make an orange loaf by replacing beer with an equal amount of orange pop, adding 1 tablespoon orange zest, and increasing sugar to 1/4 cup.
• Replace the beer with another preferred carbonated beverage, such as ginger ale or hard cider. See the linked resource for a helpful list of gluten-free hard ciders!

Variations and mix-ins

Along with some of the alternative versions mentioned above, there are several options to compliment the beer flavor.

• Cheesy herb – Use sharp cheddar or a mixture of cheddar and parmesan. Stir in 1 teaspoon each rosemary, basil, and thyme to the dry ingredients.
• Bacon- Add 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon with the cheese.
• Garlic Parmesan – Stir in 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan instead of cheddar.
• Spicy – Use pepper jack cheese or cheddar and stir in 1 finely chopped jalapeno.

Making this recipe dairy-free / vegan

If you are looking for a dairy-free gluten-free beer bread recipe either omit the cheese or replace with a dairy-free alternative. If you are omitting the cheese, increase the salt to 1 teaspoon.

For the melted butter, replace with a plant-based vegan butter. Please note, the recommended flour, Cup4Cup, does contain milk powder, so you’ll want to substitute a gluten-free all purpose flour without allergens.

How to check if bread is done baking

Insert a long skewer or knife in the middle to double check the bread is cooked through and not wet in the center. A small toothpick can be deceiving because it doesn’t go down far enough.

Personally, I like to take the guesswork out of knowing when gluten-free breads are done. Often golden brown exteriors can be deceptive, while the inside is undercooked and gummy.

Therefore, I also use an instant read thermometer. When inserted in the middle it should read 190-200ºF. I rely on this method from quick breads, yeast breads, to gluten-free breadsticks.

Storing and freezing tips

For best results, let the bread cool at least 15 minutes before slicing. After it has cooled completely, store in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature up to 2 days.

To freeze, store completely cooled bread in a ziplock freezer bag with air removed, up to 3 months. You may also slice the bread before freezing to store, but I recommend using within 1 month.

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