No Yeast Bread Recipe - Just The Right Size Loaf For Two People (2024)

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This homemade bread recipe requires just 4 simple ingredients, no yeast, and is super easy to make. It is the perfect size loaf for two people and one that I make quite often.

Every time that I go to the grocery to pick up a loaf of bread, I always cringe because I know that half the loaf will probably go to waste. Of course I can use the almost stale bread to make homemade bread crumbs, dressing, French toast casserole or another delicious dish, but that takes not only time, but also planning.

The other option is to put the bread in the freezer and use it later. However, we all know that bread that has been frozen and then thawed, doesn’t taste as fresh as it does when you first buy it.

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Therefore, in an attempt to have less waste, I decided to start making homemade bread. But not just any homemade bread. One that requires just a few basic ingredients, is easy to make, and that can be used within a couple of days.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well I am here to tell you, it really is possible. In fact, I have been making this bread recipe, about once a week, for the last two years.

Serving Suggestions

However, because this bread recipe does not contain yeast, it is one that is best to serve as a compliment to dinner rather than for making every day sandwiches. In fact, it has the perfect density for mopping up the sauce after eating Ground Beef Stroganoff or Chicken Pot Pie.

Although, you can also slice and serve it as part of your meat, cheese and fruit charcuterie board. Or simply slice the bread, drizzle a little olive oil on top and make Tomato Basil Bruschetta.

Or how about cutting the bread in thin strips and use it to dip in flavored olive oil as part of an appetizer or snack? You can even place slices of the bread under the broiler after spreading butter, olive oil, fresh minced garlic, and a sprinkle of fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top for the best tasting garlic bread that you have ever had!

Now that you know that the possibilities are endless, let’s get to the recipe. Below I have given step by step instructions on how to make this easy recipe.

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No Yeast Bread Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

  • All-purpose flour
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Baking powder
  • Lukewarm water

* I know that I stated above that this recipe requires only 4 ingredients, however, I don’t consider water, as an ‘ingredient’.

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making this no yeast bread recipe is to pre-heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

*Just a quick note on silicone baking mats. I have to admit that I was somewhat hesitant about purchasing another item that might sit in my kitchen, not being used.

However, after purchasing these Silicone Baking Mats, I will never look back. In fact, not only are they easy to use, they have saved me so much money.

That is because I no longer have to purchase disposable parchment paper. Instead, I lay the silicone mat on the baking sheet and bake the no yeast bread as instructed.

When it comes time for clean up, I wash the mat with soap and water. It is extremely easy to clean and takes up very little space in my bakeware cabinet.

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Now back to the recipe….

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Then slowly pour the lukewarm water into the bowl.

Use a fork to mix the ingredients together until well combined. It will take a few minutes for the water to become absorbed into the dry ingredients.

However, be patient and do not add more water. The dough will eventually come together.

When the dough is beginning to become formed, remove it from the bowl and place it on a clean floured surface. Knead the dough for 2 minutes, sprinkling additional flour on the surface as needed to prevent sticking.

As you knead you will see that the no yeast bread dough is starting to look smoother. Continue to knead until no bits of flour are visible in the dough.

Now form the dough in a rectangle, oval or round loaf. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and make a few slits in the top with a sharp knife.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes.

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You will know when the bread is baked through when you knock on the bottom surface and it sounds hollow. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the bread on a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Store No Yeast Bread?

Store the bread in a closed container at room temperature on the counter or in a cupboard. However, if you want it to last longer, you can also store it in the refrigerator.

Although, if you want the bread to remain nice and soft on the inside, I suggest the room temperature storing method. Refrigerating bread will make it last longer, but it is best to use the slices for toast.

2. How Long Will This Bread Last?

Because this is a homemade bread, it will have an average shelf life, when stored at room temperature of 3-4 days. If you store it in the refrigerator it can last 6-9 days.

Of course, this is dependent on how much humidity and how warm it is in your house. However, because this is a mini loaf recipe, you most often will have used it before it starts to mold.

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3. Can I Double The Recipe?

If you want to make a larger loaf, you can double the ingredients. However, be sure to increase the cook time as well so that the center of the bread gets baked through.

Now that you know how easy this recipe is to make, I am sure it will become one of your favorite homemade bread recipes!

Enjoy! Mary

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To receive FREE recipes delivered directly to your email, be sure to sign up for the iCookfortwo newsletter. A sign up form is located in the middle of this article. If you have any questions, comments, or want to submit an idea for a recipe for two, feel free to email at mary@icookfortwo.com

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No Yeast Bread

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

How to make a loaf of bread without using yeast. A simple, rustic loaf that is perfect to serve with dinner, as a snack or with your favorite dips and spreads.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm water

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Then slowly pour the water into the bowl and mix together with a fork until well combined.
  3. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a clean floured surface. Knead the dough for 2 minutes.
  4. Form the dough in a rectangle, oval or round loaf. Score the top with a sharp knife and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes then lower the temperature to 350°F (180°C) for another 10 minutes. The bread is done when you knock on the bottom surface and it sounds hollow.
  6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the bread on a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm or at room temperature

Notes

Recipe provided by iCookfortwo.com

Nutrition Information

Yield 8
Amount Per ServingCalories 115Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 256mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 3g

Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.

No Yeast Bread Recipe - Just The Right Size Loaf For Two People (2024)

FAQs

What kind of bread is made without yeast? ›

6 Easy Breads You Can Bake Without Yeast
  • Vegan and Dairy-Free Pita Bread. ...
  • Vegan and Dairy-Free Biscuits. ...
  • Popovers. ...
  • Soda Bread. ...
  • Quick Bread. ...
  • Wheat-Free, Vegan and Dairy-Free Flatbread.

What makes bread rise without yeast? ›

Baking Soda

It helps breads rise and gives them their light and airy texture. Unlike yeast, baking soda needs an acid to activate it. By adding an acid to baking soda (such as lemon juice or cream of tartar) a chemical reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide and fills your bread with air — much like yeast does.

How much yeast do I need for 2 cups of flour for bread? ›

For each cup of flour (125 g), that is 1.5 g of instant yeast, or 1/2 teaspoon. For salt, I add 2% of the flour weight or 2.5 g per cup or about 0.4 teaspoons of table salt if all else is unsalted.

Is it cheaper to make your own loaf of bread? ›

In a nutshell, if you're buying basic, cheap sandwich bread, it's probably cheaper than you can make it at home. But if you compare two loaves similar to what you could make at home — one made with high-quality ingredients as opposed to one made with lesser quality ingredients — home baking becomes much cheaper.

Can I use baking powder instead of yeast for bread? ›

Baking Powder

The ratio to replace yeast with baking powder in a recipe is 1:1, making it much easier to substitute if you have baking powder on hand. Simply measure out the amount of baking powder for how much yeast the recipe calls for. Baking soda substitution is best when used with: Batter breads.

Is all sourdough bread yeast free? ›

Sourdough is naturally leavened bread, which means it doesn't use commercial yeast to rise. Instead, it uses a 'starter' – a fermented flour and water mixture that contains wild yeast and good bacteria – to rise. This also produces the tangy flavour and slightly chewy texture you'll find in sourdough.

What happens if you bake flour without yeast? ›

If you don't use yeast or other leavening in your bread dough, the bread will be dense and will not rise. As others have said, there may well be a subtle taste difference since yeast forms carbon dioxide gas and alcohol. There are many breads that are unleavened and most are flatbreads.

How did people bake bread before yeast? ›

The most common source of leavening in antiquity was to retain a piece of dough (with sugar and water in) from the previous day to utilize as a form of sourdough starter. Pliny the Elder reported that the Gauls and Iberians used the foam skimmed from beer to produce "a lighter kind of bread than other peoples".

What happens if I bake dough without yeast? ›

Some differences could be that your bread will not rise as tall as you're used to, the flavor is a little different, or the texture may not be exactly the same. However, if you're out of yeast or don't have the time to wait for your bread to rise, these substitutes will undoubtedly get the job done.

Can you put too much yeast when making bread? ›

This can affect the bread by adding a "yeasty" taste if you put too much into the dough. General amounts of yeast are around 1 - 2 % of the flour, by weight. Too much yeast could cause the dough to go flat by releasing gas before the flour is ready to expand.

Can I substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast? ›

Active dry and instant yeasts can be substituted for one another at a 1:1 ratio. Active dry yeast will take about 15 to 20 minutes longer to rise than instant yeast. To encourage active dry yeast to start its activity without having to proof, just use very warm water in your dough mixture (120-130°F).

How was yeast made in the old days? ›

Besides brewer`s yeast, homemakers in the 19th Century used specially brewed ferments to make yeast. The basis for most of these ferments was a mash of grain, flour or boiled potatoes. Hops were often included to prevent sourness. Salt-rising bread was made from a starter of milk, cornmeal and, sometimes, potatoes.

Does homemade bread taste better than store bought? ›

If we had to run a poll on choosing between homemade bread and store-bought bread, what would you vote for? We are almost 100% sure homemade would win by a long shot! Not much beats the taste, satisfaction, and pure bliss of biting into a warm slice of fresh-out-of-the-oven homemade bread.

Is homemade bread healthier than store bought? ›

That said, most homemade breads are likely healthier than store-bought breads, which are often high in sugar and preservatives. One benefit of making your own bread is that you can control the ingredients. For example, you can use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, or add healthy toppings like nuts and seeds.

Why does homemade bread taste better than store bought? ›

Homemade bread contains no chemicals, artificial additives, preservatives, or enzymes. These are often used in store-bought bread to make them stay fresher for longer and enhance the taste.

Does rye bread have yeast? ›

The simplest form is made with rye flour, water, salt, and naturally occurring yeast.

Does all white bread have yeast? ›

White bread and whole grain breads, including whole wheat bread, are made with flour, water, and yeast, but minimal fermentation.

Does pumpernickel bread have yeast? ›

The loaves are baked in covered pans to keep the moisture inside, which prevents a discernible crust from forming. For American pumpernickel bread, like this recipe, a combination of milled wheat and rye flour is used, as is commercial yeast, producing a springy loaf with a much more open crumb.

Do bagels contain yeast? ›

In general, bagels have a very simple formulation. The formula is very similar to simple bread or roll formulas: flour, salt, yeast, and water. What separates the bagel from the rest of the rolls are the flour quality and the processing. Traditional bagels were made with very high-protein, spring wheat flour.

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