Skillet Cheddar-Bacon Beer Bread is a savory quick bread with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and green onions. Golden and crisp on the outside and moist and fluffy on the inside, it’s the perfect pair to your favorite hearty soup or homemade chili.
As much as I love the inviting aroma and satisfying taste of homemade bread, I find working with yeast a little too tedious for my blood. Blooming of the yeast, kneading the dough, and waiting for it to rise are a bit too much for my inner child who wants instant gratification.
So on days when I crave the warmth and comfort of a fresh loaf straight out of the oven, I depend on this skillet cheddar-bacon beer bread to make it happen. With simple easy steps, basic pantry ingredients, and about 5 minutes prep time, it’s virtually foolproof!
In its most basic form, beer bread is a simple mixture of flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and beer but I love to throw in crisp bacon, shredded cheddar, and green onions to kick things up a notch. The flavor is unbelievable! You get a golden, crisp crust and a moist, buttery inner loaf interspersed with smoky bacon and sharp cheddar that’s sure to win raves!
You’ll definitely enjoy dunking this hearty beer bread in your favorite soup or pairing it with homemade chili. Try drenching thick slices with sausage gravy to go with your breakfast eggs in the morning (one of my guilty pleasures).
Here are a few quick tips on how to pull together this scrumptious skillet cheddar-bacon beer bread deliciously every time:
- As most quick bread, beer bread uses baking powder as the leavening agent instead of yeast. Check the expiration of your baking powder and make sure it’s fresh to ensure a full rise.
- Preheat your oven before you start preparing the batter. You don’t want the batter to stand too long before it goes into the oven as it may cause the middle of the bread to sink.
- Do NOT overmix the batter. Once you add the beer to the flour mixture, stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Overmixing the batter will result in peaks, tunnels, and tough texture. A few lumps here and there are GOOD. The batter for this beer bread is very thick so please don’t be tempted to add more liquid.
- Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture instead of pouring the beer all over. This will help you combine the wet and dry ingredients uniformly, preventing overmixing.
- You can use any of your favorite beer, I find the subtle flavors of a lager-style such as Stella Artois complement this skillet cheddar-bacon beer bread best.
- The melted butter poured on the batter before baking helps the crust crisp and brown beautifully.
- If the top is browning way before the inside is cooked through, loosely tent with foil.
I like to bake this beer bread in my trusty cast iron skillet as I love how rustic it looks and how I can bring the skillet to the dinner table to help keep the bread warm while we eat. You can, of course, use a loaf pan, if you like, and adjust the cooking time to about 1 hour. Enjoy!
Skillet Cheddar-Bacon Beer Bread
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cups flour
- 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 bottle (12 ounces) lager-style beer
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add bacon and cook until brown and crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Add bacon, cheese, and green onions. Stir to combine. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add beer. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.
- Spray a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Transfer batter to skillet and with a spatula spread evenly. Pour melted butter over batter.
- Bake in preheated for about 50 to 55 minutes or until top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool before slicing. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Great tasting recipe that’s easy and quick to put together! I had originally planned on using the green onions like the recipe called for but I decided to used a few serrano peppers I had in the freezer and it came out great with just enough heat. I also used a light coating of the bacon grease on my cast iron and the bottom crust came out perfectly crispy and the melted butter (not the lean version I guess) made the top just as equally crispy. I was surprised at how light and airy the crumb of the bread is; not dense at all. This one is a keeper fer sure! Thanks!
Thank you so much for the feedback. I am glad you enjoyed it. Will try greasing my pan with bacon grease next time, I can just imagine the added flavor. 🙂
Could you make the beer bread with all whole wheat flour or half white and half whole wheat?
I’ve never tried it myself but I don’t see why it won’t work. 🙂
Such a deliciously savoury side dish! Yum!
Thanks, Sasha!
my only question is… why wouldn’t you bake this in the skillet in which you fried the bacon..?? like I do with cornbread, it makes such a crunchy tasty crust!
Hello Sarah
Yes, it would be more flavor to bake it in the same skillet and I do that sometimes, too, but some of my readers may balk at the idea of using bacon grease so I write the recipes using a “leaner” option. Thank you so much for the tip, I would definitely include it in the post. 🙂
Definitely pinning this recipe to try soon. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Thank you, Sue 🙂
Are there any substitutions that will work for the beer?
The beer is needed to leaven the dough and make it rise. I haven’t personally tried it but carbonated soda might work, the taste might be a little different though.
I’ve used hard Apple Cider, just check for sugar content.
Thanks, Leslie!
Love savory “quick” breads like this – especially with bacon! So perfect for a cast iron skillet.
Thanks, Julie! I am loving savory breads lately!
Ohh, i love bacon. This dish will definitely turned upside down.
Ahhh, Bacon is life. I love anything that has Bacon in it 🙂 Thanks for this I now know what to prepare over the weekend 🙂
Bacon does make everything better 🙂
I am in love with everything about this bread! I may have to splurge on my diet and try this out over the weekend
Moderation is the key 🙂
Beer bread with bacon – YUM!! I’m pretty sure I would eat the entire thing in one sitting. Definitely one to try!!
It’s definitely hard to eat just one slice 🙂
wow. now see i would eat the entire dish. i loveeeee food like this. totally going against my healthy living. hehe…but i know i couldn’t resist. 5 stars
Thanks< Dawn 🙂
I love making beer bread, but I’ve never tried to do it in a skillet! Beer bread is so easy and fun, you can really add anything to it. I’ve made sweet and savory options.
You should try this recipe:)You will love this!
That bread looks so good!!! cheese and bacon must be a great combo!!
Great combination indeed 🙂
Oh My Gosh !!! If I make this bread, I would hide with it in a corner ad eat all of it as it really sounds so delicious n I dont want to be sharing it 😉
Lol! I absolutely understand! 🙂
This bread looks so delicious, I’ve once used beer in cooking with a beer-butt chicken, very yummy you should try it!
With a name as beer-butt chicken, I can’t wait! 🙂 Thanks, Freya.
Bacon… beer…and cheddar? What more can we ask for…. definitely craving for this.
It’s got all my favorite food groups 🙂
I’ve never had flavored cornbread! These look terrrfic! I can’t wait to try this!
Thanks, Hanady! I hope you like it!
I am vegan so this is not necessarily the one for me but I do love to experiment with bread. Olives and walnuts are always a winner, I think!
Thanks, Brita!
What a beautiful recipe this is a perfect idea for Easter brunch. I am already planing the feast and I will include your dish. Goes perfect with all my selections.
Planning the menu is always the fun part of the party 🙂 Thanks, Adriana.
Omg can we say yum?!?! I must try your bread recipe!
I am terrible at yeast breads too! I even got a bread machine for our wedding and used it twice. Both times for pizza dough. LOL. I am a sucker for cornbread and crusty french bread but the thought of pouring melted butter over the top of the batter and making a crispy crust is so great!
Pouring melted butter-such a good sight, don’t you think? 🙂
I made a cheddar beer soup that would go great with this! I love that you used bacon – everything is better with BACON!
I usually eat this with soup but have to try it with beer soup. Sounds like the perfect pairing. 🙂
You had me at “bacon” then reeled me in with “bread” “skillet” and “cheddar”. Looks like the gang is all assembled for some serious tastyness!
Yes, all my favorite food groups are in this beer bread. 🙂
This would be a man’s dream bread. I can see my husband salivating now over this. He would love it. As a matter of fact, so would I.
That sounds so great! Everybody is happy 🙂
Beer and cheddar go so well together. To have them in one glorious piece of bread sounds divine.
I absolutely agree, Cindy!
This looks so yummy. I need to try this.
Thanks, Bethany.
Yum – this looks so fluffy! And cheese and bacon make everything better. How delicious.
They are a tandem to beat 🙂
Oh, this Skillet Cheddar-Bacon Beer Bread looks like a perfect comfort food! I really like that it’s super easy to make!
Thanks, Ave! It is a keeper!
I asked a very simple question which is still “awaiting moderation”…
What size skillet did you use? 10″? 12″? 14”? Obviously size will determine thickness which, in turn, determines the baking time.
Editing your recipe to reflect accurate information would be helpful.
Hello April,
I am sorry, your first comment somehow when to my spam folder and I had to retrieve it. Yes, you’re right, the size of the skillet is an important information I missed to include. I apologize. I used a 12-inch skillet and I updated the recipe to reflect this. Thank you for bringing to my attention. I appreciate it.
I just recently got into making more dishes in my skillet. This is such a great idea and the fact that it’s simple makes it even better. Great recipe to make for any night of the week.
Thanks, Stephanie! I truly adore this recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
YUM! My husband would absolutely love this recipe. Saving for later and can’t wait to try it out!
Thanks, Christine. I hope you guys enjoy it!
This looks great. I really love beer and carbs so its right up my alley lol
Can’t live without beer and carbs 🙂
Thank you for sharing your Skillet Cheddar-Bacon Beer Bread recipe! This is definitely something new for my family and I to try!
You’re welcome. 🙂
That sounds like a good recipe! I love homemade bread, especially how it’s easy to make.
Thanks, Lisa.
hmm! that looks tasty! i wanna have a bite now. i ike it!
This looks delicious! I haven’t tried cheddar bacon bread for a long while. I might try this recipe.
Thank you! Enjoy!
I don’t normally make a skillet bread but this one is calling to me! I love the ingredients — so very tasty. We have a few grill recipes that this recipe would really compliment.
That sounds awesome, Marisa!
I’ve actually never made beer bread before. But, if I see it on a menu when I’m out, I almost always order it! I’ll have to give it a try soon with this recipe.
Thanks, Tina! I hope you enjoy it! It is awesome:)
Amazing! I think my husband would ask to renew our wedding vows if I made this for him for dinner ha ha. I have got to try this.
Lol! That sounds good!
I love cast iron pans! Can’t live without them.. This bread looks so yum. I love how easy it is to make. I love cheddar in such bread cause it has such a strong flavor – can’t miss it
Me, too! They’re all I use for cooking 🙂
My two favourite things combined together, cheese and bacon yummmm! A great dish Perfect for brekkie or lunch x
Absolutely, Lindsey!
Wow the bread looks so tasty and yummy. I would love to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Shirley 🙂
I just found my small cast iron skillet! Im thinking bacon, cheese and bread are the perfect thing to make in it first! LOVE THIS!!
Glad you found your cast iron skillet, I definitely can’t survive in the kitchen without mine 🙂
Ooo this looks so delicious! I am all about anything with bacon.
Me, too!
I think this is such a lovely treat. It’s easy to assemble and make and it’s something that everyone on the family will enjoy. It’s a recipe that’s worth keeping.
Thanks, Elizabeth 🙂
Looks delicious! What size skillet do you use for this recipe?
Oh my .. this looks wonderful! I’m starting a big batch of chili tomorrow and I know what I’m going to make to go alongside. Thanks so much for the recipe!
We’re getting a bit of rain these past few days here in California, chili and this bread sounds just the thing to have. 🙂
A beer has a lot of health benefits when drink in moderation and putting it in a bread was a good idea. I haven’t tasted anything like this before, but I know that turned out good.
Thanks, Sarah!
Oooooo, yes!! My iron skillet is clean and waiting for a lovely batch of this bread!! Lord, it looks so good!!
Thanks, Dene 🙂
Bread that takes 15 minutes to make?? you can count me in, I would love some cheesy beer bread, what a great snack it would make x
Exactly, Ana! Thanks!
This looks so tasty! Cheddar and bacon is such a classic flavor combination. It’s perfect for beer bread!
You can never go wrong with cheese and bacon 🙂
Wow, that looks amazing!!
Thank you 🙂
I love that this bread is made in a skillet. It looks so yummy.
Thank you 🙂
OMG it looks so delicious, I need to try this recipe asap! Great to share with family and friends!, thanks!
Thanks, MaryAnne 🙂
Wow this looks incredible! And dangerously delicious! You have sold me! I must make it tonight!
Thanks, Cassidy! Enjoy !
This looks really good. I dont think I have ever made or even had beer bread. We are always up for trying something new.
Thanks, Bernadette! Try this recipe, you will love it!
We have lots of specialty craft beers here in Wisconsin, so I used Ale Asylum Hopalicious. This turned out very well, delicious, but keep in mind the flavor of the beer will come through. You may want a more mild or a stronger beer, depending on what you prefer. This will be made again!
Hi Sapphire,
Thanks for the feedback. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
I only used Budlight 🙂
Thanks for the tip, Sapphire 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the beer bread.
Thanks, Sapphire. Corrected. 🙂