20 SWEET & SAVORY QUICK BREAD RECIPES
Quick bread is a great addition to your recipe repertoire, especially when you want to flex your baking skills for your next party but don’t have time to let yeast bloom and ferment. Use this article to learn more about quick bread, how to make it and explore recipe ideas to get inspired.
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WHAT IS QUICK BREAD?
Quick bread is a category of bread recipes that use a chemical leavening agent like baking powder or baking soda to get their rise. These bread recipes are considered “quick” because you don’t have to wait for yeast to bloom or ferment; instead, you can simply mix the dough and pop your bread in the oven.
Quick bread recipes can be savory, sweet or a little bit of both, allowing you to experiment with unique flavors and ingredients.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF QUICK BREAD?
Since quick bread is a relatively broad category, you can choose from a variety of recipe variations. Banana bread, soda bread, biscuits, potato bread, muffins, pancakes and cornbread are among the most common quick bread recipes.
NO YEAST BREAD RECIPES
Grab your KitchenAid® stand mixer and get inspired by these quick bread recipes that can be made without any yeast.
1. BUTTER BISCUITS
Classic buttery biscuits can be versatile culinary canvases perfect for pairing with honey, peppery sausage gravy or stuffed with herbs, cheese or even fruits. This quick bread is characterized by a sweet, buttery flavor and delicate, crumbly texture and is often served with breakfast or brunch staples like sunny-side up eggs and crispy maple-glazed bacon.
2. SCONES
Often compared to biscuits, scones are another quick bread confection typically paired with breakfast foods. Scones have a richer and denser texture than biscuits, thanks to ingredients like eggs, milk or heavy cream.
3. IRISH SODA BREAD
Irish soda bread is a traditional type of bread known for its simplicity and quick preparation. It has a dense texture and slightly tangy flavor and can be paired with hearty soups and stews or enjoyed on its own with a pat of homemade butter. You can create your own unique soda bread recipe by adding ingredients like seeds, nuts, raisins or other dried fruits for extra flavor and texture.
4. CLASSIC PANCAKES
Though you may not consider this breakfast staple a “bread,” pancakes technically fall under the quick bread category. Pancakes are even quicker to make than other quick bread varieties, as you can whip them up in your KitchenAid® stand mixer and cook them on your stovetop in minutes. These fluffy and delicious cakes can be served with toppings like butter, syrup, fresh fruit or homemade whipped cream.
5. TRADITIONAL BANANA BREAD
Traditional banana bread is moist, tender and flavorful with a golden brown crust and a soft, fluffy texture on the inside. Ripe bananas give the quick bread a rich and sweet flavor that is complemented by the subtle notes of vanilla extract.
6. BROWNED BUTTER SWEET POTATO BREAD WITH WALNUTS
This quick loaf is infused with the rich and nutty flavors of browned butter that pairs beautifully with the subtle sweetness of pureed sweet potatoes. Chopped walnuts give the bread a delightful crunchy texture that complements the soft and tender crumb.
7. CORNBREAD
This classic southern quick bread is soft and tender with a lightly browned bottom created by baking it in a greased cast iron skillet. While delicious on its own, cornbread can be enhanced by adding flavor combinations like jalapeno and honey, or by topping it with homemade jam.
8. BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
Blueberry muffins are a classic breakfast pastry that pairs perfectly with your morning coffee or tea. Fresh and juicy blueberries add a bright sweetness to the buttery flavor of the muffin batter. This recipe adds an extra layer of sweetness by topping each muffin with the warm flavors of crunchy streusel.
9. ORANGE MARMALADE IRISH SODA BREAD
This unique twist on the traditional Irish soda bread combines the bright, citrusy flavor of orange marmalade with rich and decadent chocolate chips, making it a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert. This quick bread recipe is a great option for any baker who wants to elevate a classic recipe.
10. GINGER BANANA BREAD
Ginger Banana Bread is a zesty twist on classic banana bread. This quick bread is infused with the warm and spicy flavors of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, which complements the natural sweetness of the ripe bananas.
11. GLUTEN-FREE APPLE SPICE MUFFINS
With the help of your KitchenAid® blender, you can whip up this gluten-free quick bread recipe in practically no time. The seasonal flavors of chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup and ginger come together to create sweet, spicy and tender muffins to enjoy on a crisp fall day.
12. CORNBREAD DONUTS WITH CRANBERRY GLAZE
This donut recipe is a unique twist on the classic breakfast pastry. The tart flavor of cranberries complements the subtle sweetness of the cornbread batter, while the crunchy pecans add a nutty flavor and interesting texture that keeps you coming back for another bite.
13. CINNAMON COFFEE SCONES
This simple yet delicious recipe incorporates warm flavors like cinnamon, coffee and brown sugar and is perfect for a cozy breakfast at home, or as a side at your next brunch gathering. The scone dough comes together in minutes with the help of a KitchenAid® food processor, so you can get started on the rest of your breakfast dishes.
14. APPLE RICOTTA PANCAKES
If you have extra fresh apples on hand, make this airy, sweet quick bread recipe. The ricotta cheese creates a light and fluffy texture and still packs a rich and creamy punch, while fresh apples add a bright flavor that can satisfy just about any sweet tooth.
15. SPICED PARSNIP MUFFINS
Discover a new way to incorporate your fresh produce in your baking with this quick bread recipe. Use your KitchenAid® Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder Attachment to help shred the parsnips that add a lightly sweet and earthy flavor to the muffins. This flavor profile is enhanced by warm additions like nutmeg, cinnamon and molasses
16. APPLE CHEDDAR SCONES
You can use your KitchenAid® 13-Cup Food Processor to make these apple cheddar scones. Sweet and tangy apples come together with sharp and creamy cheddar cheese to create a complex flavor profile that pairs beautifully with fresh butter, local honey or even caramelized onion and bacon jam.
17. GINGERBREAD PANCAKES
Whip up these gingerbread pancakes at your next holiday brunch gathering. Classic flavors like ginger, molasses, cinnamon and brown sugar give traditional pancakes a sweet and spicy kick.
18. GLUTEN-FREE BANANA BREAD
You can still enjoy moist and tender banana bread even if you follow a gluten-free diet. This gluten-free quick bread recipe incorporates all of the flavors of classic banana bread and simply swaps out all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 all purpose flour blend.
19. PUMPKIN MUFFINS
Pumpkin muffins are a delicious and flavorful way to start a crisp fall day. This autumn-inspired quick bread recipe makes an extra moist pastry thanks to the pumpkin puree, and the cozy flavors of pumpkin spice make these muffins an ultimate comfort food.
20. LEMON DROP SCONES
These light and sweet scones have a soft and crumbly texture and are bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Make this quick bread recipe for your next tea party as a zesty dessert to complement the tea, savory finger sandwiches and homemade hand pies.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MIXERS FOR MAKING QUICK BREADS
BASIC QUICK BREAD RECIPE
Though quick bread can come in many forms and flavors, the basic recipe typically includes fat, sugar, eggs, flour, leavening agents and a liquid of some kind. Read on below to learn the general instructions for making quick bread so you can start playing with unique ingredients and new flavor combinations.
YIELDS
- 1 loaf (about 10 servings)
INGREDIENTS
Fat, like butter or oil
Sugar
Flour, like all-purpose or whole wheat
Eggs
Liquid, such as whole milk or buttermilk
Salt
Baking powder or baking soda
TOOLS
Baking dish or loaf pan
Dough Hook Accessory (optional)
Additional stand mixer bowl, like the KitchenAid® 5 Quart Tilt-Head Metallic Finish Stainless Steel Bowl
PREP TIME
10 minutes
BAKE TIME
- Bake time may vary depending on the specific quick bread recipe you use. For example, Irish soda bread bakes for 60 minutes while banana bread has a bake time of up to 90 minutes.
TOTAL TIME
90–120 minutes
STEP 1: PREP YOUR WORK STATION
Before you get started making your quick bread, take the time to set out your tools and ingredients so everything is easily accessible. Place the stand mixer on a flat, even surface and plug it into a nearby outlet, then set out your attachments and accessories. Grease your baking dish or loaf pan and set it to the side.
Preheat your oven to the baking temperature indicated on your recipe. Quick breads typically bake at 350–375°F.
STEP 2: MIX THE INGREDIENTS
Add the flour, sugar, leavening agent and salt into the stand mixer bowl and mix using the Wire Whip Accessory. In a separate bowl, combine the fat, liquid and egg with the Flat Beater Accessory.
STEP 3: FORM THE DOUGH
Replace the Wire Whip Accessory with the Flat Beater on your stand mixer and set it to medium speed, then slowly pour your dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Depending on the specific quick bread recipe you’re making, this step can produce either a batter or a dough. If your recipe forms a dough, you may need to knead the dough with the Dough Hook Accessory.
STEP 4: BAKE THE BREAD
Place the dough or pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and set it on the center oven rack to bake. Consult your recipe for specific bake times.
Check for doneness, then remove the baking dish from the oven to cool.
WHAT DOES BAKING POWDER DO FOR QUICK BREAD?
Baking powder is a combination of baking soda, dry acid and cornstarch that all work together to create the rise in quick bread recipes. When mixed with liquid ingredients, baking powder releases carbon dioxide that raises the dough or batter as it bakes.
CAN I USE BAKING POWDER INSTEAD OF YEAST?
You can use baking powder instead of yeast; however, it is important to note that the texture and taste may be slightly different with each leavening agent. You may also need to adjust your recipe to accommodate for the ingredient alteration.
If you’re swapping yeast for baking powder, be sure to bake the dough or batter right away as doughs made with baking powder do not need to proof like yeasted doughs.
WHAT IS THE BEST FLOUR FOR QUICK BREAD?
The best type of flour to use when making quick bread can vary depending on your particular recipe. Many quick bread recipes call for all-purpose or self-rising flour, while others use whole wheat flour or gluten-free options like buckwheat or almond flour.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH QUICK BREAD
You can pair quick bread with a variety of breakfast, lunch or dinner recipes. Serve banana bread topped with homemade cream cheese frosting as a complement to savory asparagus and red pepper quiche, or pair savory biscuits with homemade breakfast sausage and gravy at your next brunch.
Irish soda bread can be the perfect partner to hearty soups and stews like potato cream soup or classic broccoli cheddar. And on a crisp fall day, you can embrace the warm comfort of vegetarian three bean chili paired with slightly sweet homemade cornbread.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® STAND MIXERS AND HAND MIXERS
Whether you’re making bread, cakes, pasta or even homemade meatballs, KitchenAid® stand mixers and hand mixers are designed to take it all on. Browse tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers and 5, 6 or 9-speed hand mixers to find the option that matches the way you make.
