No Yeast Quick Bread Recipe

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!

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!

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, and grilled 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

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.

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

*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

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

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

✍ 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

😋 Other Baked Goods to Try

📖 Recipe