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!
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 Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
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.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Stephanie! I truly adore this recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
Christine McMichael says
YUM! My husband would absolutely love this recipe. Saving for later and can’t wait to try it out!
Lalaine says
Thanks, Christine. I hope you guys enjoy it!
Tiana says
This looks great. I really love beer and carbs so its right up my alley lol
Lalaine says
Can’t live without beer and carbs 🙂
Cara (@StylishGeek) says
Thank you for sharing your Skillet Cheddar-Bacon Beer Bread recipe! This is definitely something new for my family and I to try!
Lalaine says
You’re welcome. 🙂
Lisa Rios says
That sounds like a good recipe! I love homemade bread, especially how it’s easy to make.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Lisa.
Nikki Wayne says
hmm! that looks tasty! i wanna have a bite now. i ike it!
hey sharonoox says
This looks delicious! I haven’t tried cheddar bacon bread for a long while. I might try this recipe.
Lalaine says
Thank you! Enjoy!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
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.
Lalaine says
That sounds awesome, Marisa!
Byron Thomas says
Wow – this looks and sounds delicious! Just one question, do you taste the beer flavour once the bread has finished baking? And, if so, what would you recommend as a beer substitute?
Tina says
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.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Tina! I hope you enjoy it! It is awesome:)
travel blogger says
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.
Lalaine says
Lol! That sounds good!
Veena Azmanov says
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
Lalaine says
Me, too! They’re all I use for cooking 🙂
Lindsey says
My two favourite things combined together, cheese and bacon yummmm! A great dish Perfect for brekkie or lunch x
Lalaine says
Absolutely, Lindsey!
Shirley says
Wow the bread looks so tasty and yummy. I would love to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Shirley 🙂
Michele says
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!!
Lalaine says
Glad you found your cast iron skillet, I definitely can’t survive in the kitchen without mine 🙂