Want to bake a foolproof loaf in just over an hour? This beginner-friendly Greek bread recipe uses self-raising flour, making it perfect for novice bakers.
With only 10 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients, you’ll create a tender, wholesome bread that serves 14.
Each slice delivers the perfect balance of nutrition – just 157 calories with 3.8g of protein and minimal sugar.
Whether you’re new to baking or seeking a reliable everyday recipe, this Mediterranean-inspired bread will become your new kitchen staple.
Simple Beer Bread Ingredients
- Self-Rising Flour: 500g (17.5 oz) salt-free variety. US bakers can use plain flour with 6 tsp baking powder as substitute
- Beer: 330ml blonde pale lager (Heineken recommended) for perfect texture
- Salt: 1/2 tsp to enhance flavors
- Olive Oil: 2 tbsp for moisture and richness
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
- Mix & Knead: Combine all ingredients in a basin, blend with hands until elastic. Use mixer with dough hook if preferred
- Prepare Oven: Heat to 200C (400F) standard or 180C (350F) fan setting
- Shape Loaves: Split dough in half on floured surface, form two round loaves with dampened hands
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle with water, dust with flour, add optional sesame seeds for crunch
- Score Surface: Make 3-4 diagonal cuts across each loaf’s top
- Bake: Place on lined baking tray, bake 60-70 minutes until golden and thoroughly cooked
Baking Tips
Hey there, bread baker! This recipe is super friendly for beginners since it skips the usual rising time. The magic happens thanks to self-rising flour and beer!
Keep an eye on how sticky your dough feels – you might need a bit more or less flour depending on the weather.
A perfect dough should feel soft and springy, but not stick to your hands too much. When you score the top, make those cuts about 1/4 inch deep – this helps your bread expand nicely while baking and creates that beautiful artisan look!
Storage and Freshness
Your fresh-baked bread will stay yummy for about 2-3 days when stored in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature.
Want to keep it longer? Slice the whole loaf once it’s completely cool, pop it in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Just toast the frozen slices whenever you need them – they’ll taste just like fresh-baked! Avoid storing your bread in the fridge, as this actually makes it get stale faster.
Serving Ideas
This bread is amazing when it’s still a bit warm from the oven! Try it with a pat of butter that melts right in, or dip chunks into your favorite olive oil.
It makes wonderful sandwiches and fantastic toast for breakfast. The mild beer flavor pairs really well with cheese plates, and it’s perfect for soaking up sauces or gravy.
Since it’s Greek-style bread, serve it alongside a bowl of moussaka or Greek salad for a complete meal!
Simple Variations
Want to mix things up? Try sprinkling different toppings before baking – poppy seeds work great instead of sesame.
You can also add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for extra flavor. If you’re not keen on beer, use carbonated water instead – you’ll still get a nice texture! Just remember that the beer adds a special flavor that makes this bread unique.
Easy Beer Bread
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Mixing bowl
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 500 g self-rising flour without added salt
- 330 ml beer blonde pale lager such as Heineken
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- To prepare this easy bread recipe, add into a basin all the ingredients and blend with your hands, until the dough becomes an elastic ball. Alternatively, add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix using your hand-mixer with the dough hook attached until the dough is soft and does not crumble.
- Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) (with both top and bottom heating elements on) or 180C (350F) fan.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured board, wet your hands and split it in half. Knead each half with your hands, to form two round loafs.
- Sprinkle the bread loafs with some water and sieve with some flour. You can also sprinkle with some sesame seeds for some extra crunchiness.
- With a sharp knife, score the top of each loaf. Make 3-4 slashes across the top with a few deeper than the others.
- Layer the bottom of a baking tray with some greaseproof paper and place the loafs on top. Bake in the preheated oven at 200C (400F) for 60-70 minutes, until a nicely coloured crust forms and is cooked throughout.