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No-Knead Beer Bread

Name: No-Knead Beer Bread/Yeast Beer Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 160 min
Ingredients: 120 ml Warm water (110F); 2 1/4 tsp Instant yeast ((1 packet)); 250 ml Beer; 2 tbsp Sugar; 2 tbsp Olive oil; 1 tsp Salt; 375 grams All-purpose flour; 70 grams All-purpose flour (extra for work surface); 1/2 cup Green olives (sliced); 1/2 cup Black olives (sliced )

Published -Aug 20, 2019 Update -Aug 21, 2019 Veena AzmanovWords - 2310 words. About 12 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and other sides. This blog generates income via ads.

Recipe Video Print

Table of Contents

Homemade Yeast Beer Bread, No-Knead

This no-knead beer bread is an absolute classic. Yeast risen, filled with black and green olives this rustic bread takes only 10 minutes hands-on and 45 minutes to bake. A simple and easy basic yeast beer bread that's versatile and can be used with many different filling variations.

Bread making with beer or ale using yeast with Progress Pictures — How to Bake No-knead Bread with Beer. Yeast Risen Ale Bread -

I had not made my yeast beer bread in a very long time. Recently, Ziv enjoyed a classic beer bread at friends get together and had been raving about it. So I knew it was time to make some soon. Of course, this bread is so easy that now we make it so often. The kids are of course fascinated that there is beer in their bread.

Have you ever baked with beer? It is no different from other yeast bread. This is a beginners recipe and works as a base for all other beer bread that I make. The best part this is a no-knead recipe so perfect when you are feeling lazy.

About this no-knead beer bread.

Yeast is the best thing you can do to bread. This beer bread is light and airy despite no-kneading. Made with all-purpose flour and a cup of beer this is probably the easiest yeast beer bread you will make. I've made a small recipe but you can easily double the recipe and freeze any leftovers.

Let's talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

Flour - In this bread recipe I use plain white all-purpose flour. You can use bread flour - you will need a little less than me and the bread will be softer. All-purpose is very easily available so I've got used it using it in most of my bread recipes.
Instant dry yeast - I like to use instant dry because I've always had great success with it. If you have to use active dry yeast you will need 2 1/4 tsp or one packet. And if you use fresh yeast you will need about 21 grams. It's not necessary to activate the yeast but I like to take the guesswork out and make sure my dough will rise.
Water - The temperature of the water is an important factor in bread making. It has to be warm, not hot. Usually about 110 F. And yet, you don't really need a thermometer. The temperature is around the same as when you give milk to a baby. So, think as if this water is to be fed to a baby. Is it warm enough?
Olive oil - Olives are the star of the show in this bread so use a good quality olive oil. The oil enhances the flavor of the bread and also feeds the yeast.
Olives - I've used both black and green because it adds to the visual appeal. But you can use either or. Use good quality olive oil that you like to eat and enjoy.

What else can I add to this no-knead beer bread?

Here's the best thing. This is the basic no-knead bread you will ever need to make any other beer bread. Change the fillings and you'll make a new beer bread for dinner. Try sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, goat cheese, artichokes, Parmesan.

Useful Tips and Tools

A small Mixing Bowl or measuring cup to activate the yeast. I prefer to use glass over metal. If the metal is cold it can lower the temperature of the liquid ingredients. Not a big deal. And yet, it's nice to get the yeast activated quickly and move on with the recipe.
I like mixing bread dough by hand. It's quite therapeutic. But bread dough can be difficult to handle. Not just because it needs more kneading but also because it's often a soft, sticky mess. And yet, keeping the dough soft and sticky is important for good bread baking. So, I highly recommend using a stand mixer Kenwood, kitchen-aidor other brands, it does not matter. Personally, I also have a hand mixer. And yet, I don't use it for baking bread. Because bread dough is dense compared to cakes. So, it might harm my hand mixer. (recommended read - which stand mixer is good for home bakers)
Baking bread is a science. So measuring ingredients correctly is important. Also, do not wing the measurements. Use a Measuring Cup for liquid ingredients and Measuring Spoons for dry ingredients.
A good baking tray is as important to bread baking as it is to other baking Baking Tray. Therefore, buy a good quality baking tray that's not too thin. The thick ones will prevent the bread from burning on the bottom. Sometimes you can even add a second tray on the bottom to prevent it from getting burnt.
Every oven works differently. So the baking times are just guidelines. In the case of bread, a hollow sound on the bottom of the bread is a great indication. If the bread bakes too quick or too slow compared to the time given it might be a good idea to check if your oven needs calibration. An oven thermometer is a great little gadget to help keep the oven temperature in check. All you need to do is adjust the temperature accordingly.

How to Make a No-Knead Beer Bread /Yeast Beer Bread (Save/Pin)

Prepare yeast

Add sugar, yeast and olive oil to the warm water.
Stir well and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes until foamy.

Bread making with beer or ale using yeast - Progress Pictures

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Prepare dough

In a large bowl combine flour and salt.
Add the beer and yeast mixture.
Combine with a wooden spoon
This is a soft dough so don't be tempted to add more flour.
Cover with a cling wrap and leave in a warm place to rise for one hour.

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Fill dough Olives

When the dough has doubled in volume.
Transfer to a well-dusted worktop.
Spread dough into a rectangle.

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Sprinkle the chopped olives evenly.
Roll the dough into a log like a jelly roll
Fold in half and then into a ball.

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Place the ball into a well-dusted banneton basket or bread proving basket
(you can use a regular bowl lined with a clean kitchen cloth - make sure to flour it well to prevent sticking)
Cover with a clean kitchen cloth and let rise for another 45 minutes

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Bake

Preheat the oven at 200 C / 400 F
Carefully invert the proved bread onto a floured baking tray.
Sprinkle with some all-purpose flour
Make a few slashes on top - to allow steam to release.
Place it in the oven on the middle rack and reduce the temperature to 180 C.. 360 F
Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes - the top will be golden and the bottom will feel hollow. I bake mine in a baking tray on the pizza stone. Halfway thru baking, I remove the tray so the bread is on the stone.
When done - cool on a wire rack for at least 20 to 30 minutes before you cut.
Enjoy.

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Tips for making this No-Knead Beer Bread

This is a soft dough which is why it becomes light and airy despite no-kneading. If you add too much flour the bread will be dense.
Use lots of extra flour on the work surface to prevent the bread from sticking.
Use a good quality beer that you like to drink. Open the beer just before you are going to add it to the bread for best flavor.
If you do not have a Banneton, use a 6-inch bowl. Line the bowl with a clean kitchen cloth and dust it well with flour so the bread won't stick to it.
I've used a bread scoring tool but you can use a razor blade, Exacto knife or sharp kitchen knife to score the bread.
I like to bake such rustic bread on my pizza stone - I star on a baking tray and halfway thru baking I remove the tray and place the bread on the stone. This gives a lovely crust.
Let the bread cool well before you cut - at least 20 to 30 minutes. This will give you better slices. In our home, we had no patience so we cut the bread while still warm - on a regular day we simply break the bread rather than cut slices. It's so good.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this olive beer bread last?

If stored properly this beer bread will stay for 4 to 5 days at room temperature. It can be frozen for a month or more too. Never store bread in the fridge as it dries out.

Can I make half this recipe for classic beer bread?

This is a fairly small loaf of bread and so delicious that there are often no leftovers. Having said that yes, this recipe can be divided into half. You can make one smaller loaf or a few smaller buns. Make sure to adjust baking times accordingly

Can I add dry fruits to this no-knead beer bread?

Yes, you can add raisins and walnuts as well as dried apricots, dates, figs, and cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds or pecans instead of olives. It's best to keep the quantity the same or about 1/2 cup more than in the recipe. Any more than that and you risk making the bread too dry.

What can I do with leftover yeast beer bread?

This bread doesn't usually last long in our home and these never go to waste.
These are great to use in grilled sandwiches.
Any hard leftover bread can be pulsed in the food processor and used for coating schnitzel or breaded Crispy Chicken

Can I use all whole wheat flour for this no-knead beer bread?

Yes, you can use half whole wheat flour and half white flour with much changes to the recipe. Whole wheat will require that you knead it a bit to activate the gluten.

Can I use all whole wheat flour for this classic beer bread?

You can, but, of course, the bread will be denser in texture than this all-white bread. And you will need to knead the dough to activate the gluten in this beer bread.

Can I make buns out of this beer bread?

Yes, it might work very similar to my soft burger bread or whole wheat burger buns recipes

Can I omit the beer in this beer bread?

Well, this is a beer bread so beer is the star ingredient but you can try my other tested and tried bread recipes instead.
Pullman sandwich bread
Whole wheat sandwich bread
Buttery Cloverleaf Rolls

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