If you love the comforting flavors of melty cheddar, crispy bacon, and the rich complexity of Guinness beer, then you’re going to be head over heels for this Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread Recipe. It’s a quick, no-fuss bread that brings a satisfying savory twist to classic beer bread with every bite.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Incredibly flavorful: The combination of sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and the malty Guinness beer creates a savory bread bursting with bold layers of taste.
Super easy to prepare: No yeast, no kneading—just a simple mix and bake method that anyone can master.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s game day, a cozy dinner, or an impromptu snack, this bread is a crowd-pleaser.
Versatile pairing: Serve it with soups, stews, or your favorite dips; it’s a fantastic sidekick to many meals.

A single slice of moist-looking brown bread with visible small air holes and orange bits, likely pieces of carrot, sits on a white plate. The bread texture looks soft and crumbly with small crumbs scattered around the plate. There are shiny drops of syrup or honey on and around the slice, adding a sticky look. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with soft natural light highlighting the details. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread, savory beer bread with bacon and cheese, easy Guinness bread recipe, no-knead beer bread with cheddar, quick bacon and cheese beer bread

Ingredients & Substitutions

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, coming together to give you a bread that’s fluffy yet dense, with a wonderful crust and tantalizing pockets of cheese and bacon throughout. These staples are easy to find but deliver so much character.

Flat lay of shredded cheddar cheese in a small heap, crispy chopped bacon pieces scattered around, a full glass bottle of Guinness beer with a rich dark color, three cups of all-purpose flour in a neat mound, a tablespoon of white baking powder in a small pile, three tablespoons of granulated sugar gently spilled, two tablespoons of melted butter glistening in a small puddle, and four slices of cooked bacon fanned out, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread, savory beer bread with bacon and cheese, easy Guinness bread recipe, no-knead beer bread with cheddar, quick bacon and cheese beer bread

All-purpose flour: The backbone of this bread providing structure and slight chewiness.
Baking powder: Helps the bread rise without yeast, giving it a pleasant light texture.
Cheddar cheese: Use sharp or medium cheddar for a punch of cheesy richness; shredding your own yields the best melt and flavor.
Guinness beer: Brings a deep malty complexity and helps the dough rise; room temperature beer works best.
Bacon: Crispy, chopped bacon adds smoky saltiness, elevating the bread’s flavor to irresistible heights.
Butter: Melted butter not only keeps the bread moist but also creates a golden, shiny crust.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and generously buttering your bread pan to prevent sticking and encourage a beautifully crisp crust. Having everything ready before mixing helps the process flow smoothly and ensures perfectly baked bread.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Add Flavors

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar—this ensures even distribution of your leavening agents and seasoning. Then create a well in the center and add in the majority of your shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, and the Guinness beer right into the mix.

Step 3: Combine and Pour

Stir the wet and dry ingredients just until combined—resist the temptation to overmix, which can yield a denser loaf. Pour the dough into your greased pan, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and drizzle with one tablespoon of melted butter for that quintessential golden finish.

Step 4: Bake and Butter Again

Bake the bread for 30 minutes, then remove it and drizzle the remaining butter over the top to add extra richness and improve crust color. Return it to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the loaf is beautifully golden and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack and allow it to cool for 5 minutes in the pan before removing it completely to cool further. For an extra buttery touch, feel free to brush a little more melted butter on top while it’s still warm.

How to Serve Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread Recipe

The image shows a loaf of bread with a crumbly, soft inside texture that is light brown and speckled with bits of oats or grains. The top layer is golden orange melted cheese, unevenly spread and slightly crispy with small holes and melted patches. A single slice is cut from the loaf with some crumbs scattered around on a white marbled surface covered with white parchment paper. The light is natural, showing the rough texture of the bread and the shiny, bubbly cheese on top, with a blurred white cloth in the background photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread, savory beer bread with bacon and cheese, easy Guinness bread recipe, no-knead beer bread with cheddar, quick bacon and cheese beer bread

Garnishes

A sprinkle of chopped fresh chives or a light dusting of smoked paprika on slices of this bread adds freshness or a hint of warmth, perfectly complementing the cheddar and bacon.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with creamy soups like loaded potato or butternut squash, hearty stews especially beef stew, or even alongside a fresh green salad to balance its richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the bread thickly and serve it with a flavorful compound butter or alongside a platter of assorted cheeses and cured meats for an elevated appetizer spread that’s as inviting as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread Recipe wrapped tightly in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to five days to maintain its freshness and moisture.

Freezing

Freeze the bread by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap followed by a freezer-safe bag or foil, which helps preserve flavor and texture for up to three months—perfect for making ahead.

Reheating

Reheat slices gently in the oven or toaster oven to regain that fresh-baked crispness, or use the microwave for a quick warm-up—just watch carefully to avoid drying it out.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of beer?

Absolutely! While Guinness adds a rich, malty flavor, you can experiment with other stouts or darker ales for robust taste, or lighter lagers for a milder bread.
What if I don’t eat bacon?

You can easily omit the bacon or substitute it with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even vegetarian bacon options to keep the charred savoriness.
Why is it important to not overmix the batter?

Overmixing develops the gluten too much, which can make the bread tough and dense instead of light and tender—stir just until everything is combined.
Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes! It’s perfect for prepping a day ahead, just store it wrapped tightly at room temperature or refrigerate, and warm it before serving for best flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread Recipe is truly a deliciously simple way to impress your family and friends with a loaf that feels homemade but is unbelievably easy to whip up. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become your go-to for everything from snacks to dinner accompaniments. So grab that Guinness, crisp up some bacon, and get baking—you’re in for a treat!

Cheddar Bacon Guinness Beer Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 504 reviews

Author: Olivia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
Total Time: 65-70 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 servings) 1x
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

A deliciously moist and savory Beer Bread made with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, perfect for a quick and easy homemade loaf with rich flavors and a golden crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar

Cheese and Bacon

1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (about 1/4 cup)

Wet Ingredients & Finishing

12 ounces Guinness beer, brought to room temperature
2 tablespoons butter, melted (divided)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bread pan thoroughly with butter and set it aside to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined.
Add Cheese, Bacon, and Beer: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add about three-quarters of the shredded cheddar cheese, the cooked chopped bacon, and the room temperature Guinness beer into the well. Stir gently with a spoon until just combined, taking care not to overmix as this can make the bread dense.
Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the greased bread pan. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the batter to add extra cheesy goodness.
Add Butter and Begin Baking: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the cheese topping. Place the bread in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Butter and Finish Baking: Remove the bread from the oven after 30 minutes and drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter evenly over the top. Return the bread to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully take it out of the pan and allow it to cool further on the wire rack. Optionally, brush the top with more melted butter for extra richness before serving.

Notes

This recipe is adapted from Food.com.
Ensure the beer is at room temperature before mixing to promote proper dough rising.
Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent dense bread.
Fluff the flour before measuring, spoon it into the cup, and level for accuracy.
Shredding your own cheese improves texture and flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze tightly wrapped bread up to 3 months for longer storage.
Reheat gently in the microwave, oven, or toaster oven, watching closely to avoid drying out.