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Crusty Herbed Beer Bread Recipe with Garlic and Thyme

You’ll love this buttery, chewy Herbed Beer Bread. It comes together in about 5 minutes of mixing and tastes irresistible straight from the oven. Serve it plain, slathered with honey butter, or try the Everything Bagel Seasoning and cheddar variation for extra flavor.

close up image of sliced Herbed Beer Bread with tea towel and beer can in the background.

About This Recipe

This Herbed Beer Bread recipe is fast, forgiving, and ideal for busy weeknights or weekend baking. No yeast is needed—the carbonation in the beer gives the loaf rise and lightness. The basic recipe is simple, and the post includes three ready-to-use variations: the plain herbed loaf, a honey butter to serve alongside, and an Everything Bagel Seasoning plus cheddar version for an extra savory loaf.

In this article you’ll find:

  • Herbed Beer Bread mix ingredients and method
  • A quick honey butter recipe to serve with the bread
  • An Everything Bagel Seasoning mix you can make at home
  • Instructions for the Everything Bagel & Cheddar variation
  • Storage tips and gift ideas
A loaf of fresh beer bread sitting on a wooden board with thyme and a tea towel.

Ingredients for Beer Bread

  • 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or your favorite dried herb)
  • 1 can (355 mL / about 1½ cups) beer, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp melted butter to brush on top after baking

Step-by-Step Instructions for Herbed Beer Bread

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and thyme until evenly combined.
  3. Pour in the room-temperature beer and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened—do not overmix.
  4. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Let the loaf rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack.
  7. Brush the top with melted butter while the loaf is still warm. Slice and serve.

Ingredients for Honey Butter

Honey butter with a sprig of thyme in a red glass bowl next to a slice of beer bread.
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/8 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

To make the honey butter, combine the softened butter, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Serve at room temperature so it’s easy to spread.

Everything Bagel Seasoning Mix

Everything bagel seasoning in a white bowl on a wooden board.
  • 1 tbsp dried minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp dried minced onion or dried onion flakes
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt or flaky sea salt

This yields roughly one-third cup of seasoning. Store leftover seasoning in an airtight container for up to six months.

Ingredients for Everything Bagel & Cheddar Beer Bread

Fresh from the oven beer bread with slices and a tea towel.
  • All ingredients listed for the Herbed Beer Bread Mix
  • 1 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning (plus 2 tsp extra for sprinkling on top, optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (use 1/2 cup in the batter and 1/2 cup for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything Bagel & Cheddar Beer Bread

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the herbed beer bread dry mix with 1 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar.
  3. Add the room-temperature beer and stir until just combined.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar on top and dust with 2 tsp Everything Bagel Seasoning if desired.
  5. Bake 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set. Allow the loaf to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool slightly before slicing.
Unbaked Everything Bagel and Cheddar beer bread in a loaf pan.

Storage

Wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 4–5 days. For longer storage, cool the loaf completely, wrap in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. Honey butter will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Great for Gift Giving

Herbed Beer Bread Mix in a bag with a can of beer and a gift bag, suggesting a gift idea.

The dry mix for Herbed Beer Bread makes a thoughtful homemade gift. Package the mix in a jar or bag with a can of beer and a recipe card for a simple hostess present. The Everything Bagel Seasoning also keeps well in a small jar as a complementary gift.

Notes and Tips

  • Use a beer you enjoy drinking—light lagers keep flavor subtle, while darker beers add a deeper note. Let the beer come to room temperature for best rise.
  • Fresh herbs can be used in place of dried—use roughly three times the volume of fresh herbs if substituting.
  • This bread is best served warm. Reheat individual slices briefly in a toaster oven or in a hot skillet for a crisp exterior and soft interior.
  • Nutrition values are approximate and based on one slice of the plain beer bread without added cheddar.

Quick recipe facts

  • Prep time: about 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 40–45 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 8–10 slices)
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baked
Three bowls with beer bread ingredients, Everything Bagel Seasoning, and shredded cheddar.

If you try this Herbed Beer Bread, leave a comment or rating where you found the recipe and enjoy sharing it with friends and family—fresh-baked bread makes a welcome addition to any meal.