Home ยป Recipes ยป Appetizers ยป No Yeast Bread

No Yeast Bread

posted October 1, 2023 by
Cassandra Morris
Iโ€™ve finally perfected my no yeast bread recipe. It is crusty, surprisingly good, and way easier to make than regular bread. Learn how to make it here.

We love our bread, we love our butter. But most of all, we love each other. 

PLEASE tell me you know what TV show this line is from! 

If you donโ€™tโ€ฆ. Itโ€™s from โ€œMadelineโ€, the cartoon series, which Iโ€™ve just learned was created in 1993. This French/Canadian show is about the life of a young, free-spirited girl in boarding school. Sheโ€™s always heading on daring adventures in her yellow dress, yellow hat, and yellow umbrella. Madeline was an iconic part of my childhood. 

The most memorable and adorable scene is the one where the girls say grace before eating their food in the school canteen, and every time Iโ€™m spreading butter on my bread, Iโ€™m singing these lines in my head. We love our bread, we love our butter. But most of all, we love each other. 

Does anyone else remember it as I do? Iโ€™d love to hear if you also watched this growing up. 

Iโ€™m so excited to finally share my perfected no-yeast bread recipe! Ever since I discovered how simple and effortless it is to make homemade bread without yeast, itโ€™s become a regular in my kitchen. You wonโ€™t believe how easy it is!

Why make yeastless bread?

Yeast is an effective leavening agent that helps bread rise. It is one of the quintessential ingredients in most modern bread recipes, no matter which culture or cuisine weโ€™re talking about. 

Aside from the health benefits of a yeast-free diet, people also make unleavened bread when they either: (a) donโ€™t have yeast at home; (b) canโ€™t afford to wait for the yeast to proof, or (c) canโ€™t be bothered to give yeast the TLC it needs. I happen to be all three personas at the same time. 

What does no yeast bread taste like?

It is similar to Irish soda bread and tastes mild like a biscuit. Donโ€™t underestimate it, though: yeastless bread is off-the-charts delicious, offering a crispy crust. It doesnโ€™t share the same texture as normal bread which is more stretchy and fluffy. 

You can even switch up this bread recipe using your favorite ingredients. Iโ€™ve used cheddar cheese and Italian seasoning here, hence the rough, orange crust you see in my pictures. Sensational! 

How to make no yeast bread:

This may just be the easiest bread ever made: simply combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, shape the dough into a ball, and bake it in the oven. Thatโ€™s it! There is no kneading or proofing required. Woohoo! It just gets better and better. We will get into the specifics in the recipe instructions. 

This blog post has everything you need to know about making the best homemade bread, including some yummy mix-ins. Once you master yeastless bread, you will never look back.

No Yeast Breadย | cookingwithcassandra.com

Recipe Ingredients

Letโ€™s start with the basic ingredients for this bread. 

  • All-purpose flour โ€“ Measure 4 cups of all-purpose flour or wheat flour.
    • Pro Tip: Donโ€™t pack the measuring cup with flour. Simply spoon flour into the measuring cup and flat-edge it. Especially since weโ€™re dealing with bread dough, we donโ€™t want to overdo the flour and have a dry, tough loaf.ย 
  • Salt โ€“ Measure 1 ยฝ teaspoons of salt for taste.ย 
  • Baking soda โ€“ This helps the bread to rise and puff up. Measure 2 teaspoons of baking soda.ย 
  • Milk and vinegar โ€“ Mix 2 cups of milk and 2 tablespoons of vinegar to create buttermilk. Its acidity will help the bread rise, too. It takes a village to raise a child!ย 
  • Melted butter โ€“ Melt โ…“ cup of butter or olive oil. Its fats will tenderize the bread and prevent too much gluten formation (gluten is what makes bread tough and chewy).ย 

See the section on Recipe Mix-ins to see other tasty ways you can modify this recipe. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Preheat your oven to 400ยฐFahrenheit.

  • Pro Tip: If using an oven, place the dough in a round glass baking dish or a loaf pan. Also, if you are using a dutch oven, thereโ€™s no need to preheat.ย 

Step Two: Make the buttermilk. In a medium bowl, mix the milk and vinegar. Let it marinate for at least 5 minutes and then whisk in the melted butter.

Step Three: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.

Step Four: In 3 parts, pour the buttermilk into the large bowl of the flour mixture, incorporating with a wooden spoon for 15-20 seconds after each addition.

Step Five: (This is an optional step only for mix-ins. Skip if you are making plain yeastless bread.) Sprinkle cheddar cheese and Italian seasoning and mix until well-combined.

Step Six: Dump the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape it into a ball with your hands. Using the parchment paper, lift the dough and place it into a pot. 

  • Pro Tip: Be careful not to handle the dough too much at this point, as kneading creates gluten which toughens up your bread texture.ย 

Step Seven: Score an โ€˜Xโ€™ (less than 1 inch) into the top of the dough with a sharp knife. This ensures the bread bakes properly in the center. 

Step Eight: Cover your pot or dutch oven with the lid, then bake covered for 45 to 55 minutes. Cooked bread has a golden brown crust and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Step Nine: Lift the bread out of the pot/baking dish using the parchment paper. Allow it to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. 

  • Pro Tip: If you skip the cooling time, your bread will crumble on the edges as soon as you slice. Resist the urge and do not skip it!ย 

What Is The Best Way to Use This Bread?

You can enjoy unleavened bread the same way you eat plain bread. I could go on forever about how to enjoy it, so this list is not exhaustive. It is a good starting point, though.  

In sandwiches:

  • Reuben sandwich
  • Classic grilled cheese
  • Roast beef with salads
  • Egg sandwich

To dunk in soups:

  • Cream of anything soup (pumpkin, mushroom, chicken)ย 
  • Beef stewย 
  • Seafood chowder

Spreads:

  • Butterย 
  • Peanut butter and Nutellaย 
  • Jam or marmaladeย 
  • Vegemiteย 
No Yeast Breadย with butterย | cookingwithcassandra.com

Expert Tips

Can I swap baking powder for baking soda?

When I started cooking, I had no idea what the difference was between baking soda and baking powder. When youโ€™re out of one, canโ€™t you just swap in the other? The answer is a hard no! Baking soda is MUCH more potent than baking powder, which is why you never want to sub one for the other. And donโ€™t forget what my Grandma used to say: โ€œSoda spreads, and powder puffsโ€!

Line the baking dish with parchment paper: 

I generally use my round glass baking dish or dutch oven to make this no yeast bread. Itโ€™s best if you use parchment paper so you can easily lift the bread out of the hot pan once itโ€™s cooked. 

Recipe Mix-ins

With this homemade bread, you have the license to get creative. The options are truly endless, ranging from savory to sweet breads. 

Here are my two favorite savory variations:

Herb and cheddar:

  • 1 ยผ cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 ยฝ tablespoons Italian seasoning (or favorite dried herbs)ย 

Olives and feta cheese:

  • 1 ยผ cup of crumbled feta cheese
  • ยพ cup of black olives

To make your bread sweeter:

Add 1 ยฝ tablespoons of sugar to your dry ingredients. Then, at the add-ins step (step five) squirt ยผ cup of honey and pour in a ยฝ cup of rolled oats into the dough mixture. 

If you liked this yeastless bread recipe, check out this yeastless flatbread pizza crust recipe for your next pizza party! It comes together in minutes and tastes great no matter what goes on it. 

Homemade Bread | cookingwithcassandra.com

No Yeast Bread Recipe

Iโ€™ve finally perfected my no yeast bread recipe. It is crusty, surprisingly good, and way easier to make than regular bread. Learn how to make it here.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8

Ingredients

NO YEAST BREAD

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups buttermilk (or 2 cups milk mixed with 2 tablespoons of vinegar)
  • 1/3 cup butter melted

ITALIAN HERB & CHEDDAR

  • 1 ยผ cups cheddar cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

Caramelized Onion & Gruyรจre

  • 1 cup yellow onions caramelized
  • 1 ยผ cup Gruyรจre cheese

OLIVE & FETA

  • 3/4 cup black olives
  • 1 ยผ cup feta cheese crumbled

Sun-Dried Tomato & Mozzarella

  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 ยผ cup mozzarella cheese grated

Instructions

  • Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400ยฐF. Line a piece of parchment paper large enough to fit inside a Dutch oven and set it aside.
  • Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt until well combined.
  • Add the Wet Ingredients: Pour the buttermilk and melted butter into the bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough begins to form.
  • Add Your Favorite Mix-Ins: Fold in your chosen add-ins, such as cheddar and Italian seasoning, olives and feta, or any other combination you like. Stir just until everything is evenly incorporated without overmixing.
  • Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto the prepared parchment paper. Using lightly floured hands, gently shape it into a round ball.
  • Score and Bake: Use the parchment paper to lift the dough into a Dutch oven. Score the top with a sharp knife to help the bread bake evenly. Cover with the lid and bake for 50โ€“55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
  • Cool Before Slicing: Carefully lift the bread out of the Dutch oven using the parchment paper. Let it cool for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I’m Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

pink flower

Hello, Spring!

Lemon Bars Recipe

Close-up of a thick lemon bar with a buttery shortbread crust and vibrant lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar and surrounded by lemon wedges.

Who else LOVES lemon bars?! For me, theyโ€™re one of my all-time favorite dessertsโ€”bright, tangy, buttery perfection. This lemon bars recipe is one Iโ€™ve tested to perfection, made with an easy, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust and a smooth lemon filling that strikes just the right balance of sweet and tart. I love a generous bite, which is why I created this recipe in a 9x9-inch pan, giving you that perfect ratio of thick lemon filling to buttery crust. If life gives you lemons, this is the recipe to make. Whether youโ€™re bringing dessert to a spring brunch, prepping for a holiday tray,...

Best Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist banana cake slice topped with cream cheese frosting being lifted from the pan, showing fluffy texture and creamy topping

If youโ€™re looking for a cake thatโ€™s perfectly moist, full of banana flavor, and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting, this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is exactly what you need! With its soft texture and sweet, subtle notes of maple syrup, this cake is the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. Whether you're baking for friends, family, or just yourself, this one will have everyone asking for your recipe! Itโ€™s always a hit at my gatherings. This easy banana cake is made in a 9ร—9-inch pan, keeping things much simpler than a traditional layer cake, making it a go-to...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundlesย | cookingwithcassandra.com

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  Iโ€™ll be honest: it doesnโ€™t look like much at first, and itโ€™s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But donโ€™t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and youโ€™ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes youโ€™ll ever have.  It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Fully glazed brown sugar ham sliced and served with orange slices and rosemary on a white platter.

Looking for the perfect holiday ham thatโ€™s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress your guests? This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe is everything you need and more. Itโ€™s sweet, savory, juicy, and has the yummiest sticky glaze with hints of garlic, orange, and warm spices. Whether itโ€™s Christmas, Easter, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this ham will be the star of the table. And yesโ€”it's so much better than the store-bought glaze packets. Once you try this homemade brown sugar glaze, youโ€™ll never go back! And if you're feeling a little intimidated by cooking a whole...

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesnโ€™t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

You Might Also Like

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  Iโ€™ll be honest: it doesnโ€™t look...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Crispy Salami Bites

Looking for a quick, no-fuss appetizer thatโ€™s packed with flavor? These Crispy Salami Bites have you covered! With a crispy, savory base topped with feta,...

Crispy Salami Bites

Chili Cheese Dipย 

At home, I try to make sure that my pantry is always stocked with tortilla chips. Itโ€™s fun to eat on its own, but even...

Chili Cheese Dipย 

๎‚š

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cookingwithcassandra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithcassandra

4 Comments

  1. Author *shelly

    5 stars
    I made this recipe last week it was wonderful and the leftovers I made grilled cheese … tasted just like a big ole cheese crouton!! Love it
    Thank you so much for this bout to make it again using coconut milk!!!

    Reply
    • Cassandra Morris

      Hi Shelly! You had me at big ole cheese croutonโ€”that sounds amazing! Iโ€™m so happy you loved the bread, and I love that you turned the leftovers into grilled cheeseโ€”I need to try that! Canโ€™t wait to hear how it turns out with coconut milkโ€” please keep me posted. Thank you so much for being here and for taking the time to leave a comment, it truly means the world. Cheers, Cassandra ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Author *Kathy

    Can this be cooked in a cast iron pan?

    Reply
    • Cassandra Morris

      Hi Kathy! I havenโ€™t tested this in a cast iron skillet myself, but I think it should work just fine :). Since the dough will rise and could stick to foil if itโ€™s covered right from the start, Iโ€™d recommend baking it uncovered at first, then loosely covering the top with aluminum foil about halfway through to prevent the crust from over-browning before the center is fully cooked. Bake until golden and cooked through, around 45 minutes. Let me know how it turns outโ€”I hope you love this easy bread recipe as much as we do. Thank you so much for being here! Cheers, Cassandra ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesnโ€™t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

Jujeh kabab - Eating | cookingwithcassandra.com

Get the Inside

Scoop

Be the first to receive free e-books, recipes, inspiration, and exclusive extras you wonโ€™t want to miss!

We wonโ€™t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.