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 makes bread rise without yeast? ›

    By adding an acid to baking soda (such as lemon juice or cream of tartar) a chemical reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide and fills your bread with air — much like yeast does. You can substitute yeast with equal parts lemon juice and baking soda.

    How did they make bread in the old days without yeast? ›

    They discovered that mixing flour and water together and leaving it to sit for several days would cause wild yeasts to start fermenting, resulting in a risen dough. The Egyptians also used sourdough as a leavening agent, which is a natural mixture of yeasts and bacteria found in flour and water.

    What does not enough yeast do to bread? ›

    Expect some differences. Leader says breads made with less yeast develop a “bubblier” crumb. That doesn't mean you'll see bigger holes. Instead, it will be more of a honeycomb texture that is “consistently inconsistent,” with some big and some small holes.

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

    Quick breads use the chemical leavening agents of baking powder and/or baking soda. Baking powder and baking soda do not require time for rising, so the batter for quick bread is cooked immediately after mixing.

    What did the pioneers use instead of yeast? ›

    Salt Rising Bread originated in the Appalachian Mountain Region. Instead of using a fungus (yeast) to raise their bread, early settlers used bacteria. Yeast was not readily available yet, so they created their own bacteria-based leavening agent with a base of either potato or cornmeal.

    How did the pioneers make bread without yeast? ›

    With No Yeast : The Salt Bacteria can make a bread rise and give it a cheesy flavor. That's the secret ingredient in salt rising bread, which dates to the late 1700s in Appalachia, when bakers didn't have yeast on hand.

    What did people use to make bread before yeast? ›

    The most common source of leavening in antiquity was to retain a piece of dough from the previous day to utilize as a form of sourdough starter. Pliny the Elder reported that the Gauls and Iberians used the foam skimmed from beer to produce "a lighter kind of bread than other peoples".

    Where did ancient people get yeast for bread? ›

    It started in Egypt

    Researchers speculate that a mixture of flour meal and water was left longer than usual on a warm day and the yeasts that occur in natural contaminants of the flour caused it to ferment before baking. Bread was the most important part of the ancient Egyptian diet.

    What happens to bread if you don't use yeast? ›

    Some differences could be that your bread will not rise as tall as you're used to, the flavor is a little different, or the texture may not be exactly the same. However, if you're out of yeast or don't have the time to wait for your bread to rise, these substitutes will undoubtedly get the job done.

    Can you use less yeast and let it rise longer? ›

    Just remember: the less yeast, the longer the rising time (and/or the warmer the rising temperature). Start by cutting the yeast in your recipe by 50 percent and if the results are reasonable, lower the amount even more next time.

    Why is my no yeast bread so dense? ›

    There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

    What happens if you put too much yeast in homemade bread? ›

    This can affect the bread by adding a "yeasty" taste if you put too much into the dough. General amounts of yeast are around 1 - 2 % of the flour, by weight. Too much yeast could cause the dough to go flat by releasing gas before the flour is ready to expand.

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

    6 Tips for Successful Quick Bread
    1. Tip 1: Follow the Recipe Closely. ...
    2. Tip 2: Don't Overmix the Batter. ...
    3. Tip 3: Use Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
    4. Tip 4: Preheat Your Oven. ...
    5. Tip 5: Don't overbake the bread. ...
    6. Tip 6: Let the bread cool before slicing.
    Feb 20, 2024

    What are the 4 quick breads? ›

    Muffins, coffeecakes, scones, and pancakes are examples of quick breads, that like their name implies, can be prepared quickly in a kitchen.

    Which ingredient gives richness and flavor to quick breads? ›

    This could be Crisco or butter. It adds richness, tenderness, moistness and flakiness. Gives a sweet flavor, can help brown the tops. Extra ingredients like vanilla, almond extract or lemon extract.

    What can you use instead of yeast to rise bread? ›

    What Substitutes for Yeast?
    • Baking Soda and Lemon. If you are lacking yeast in your pantry or dry goods storage, try combining baking soda and lemon juice. ...
    • Baking Powder. The ratio to replace yeast with baking powder in a recipe is 1:1, making it much easier to substitute if you have baking powder on hand. ...
    • Whipped Eggs.

    How did they make bread rise before yeast? ›

    The most common source of leavening in antiquity was to retain a piece of dough from the previous day to utilize as a form of sourdough starter. Pliny the Elder reported that the Gauls and Iberians used the foam skimmed from beer to produce "a lighter kind of bread than other peoples".

    What is the main ingredient that makes bread rise? ›

    Once reactivated, yeast begins feeding on the sugars in flour, and releases the carbon dioxide that makes bread rise (although at a much slower rate than baking powder or soda). Yeast also adds many of the distinctive flavors and aromas we associate with bread.

    What causes bread to rise and become fluffy? ›

    As yeast cells feed on sugars, they produce carbon dioxide gas and ethyl alcohol in a chemical process known as fermentation. The carbon dioxide gas released by the process of fermentation gets trapped in the sticky, elastic dough, causing it to “puff up" or rise.

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