This quick, easy and delicious no yeast bread is topped with a seed mixture, for great flavour. Ready in about 45 minutes!
I've shared a couple of yeast bread recipes recently, so today, I thought I'd share a quick and easy no yeast bread, for those that may still be having trouble finding yeast.
This seeded no yeast bread is about as close to the texture of yeast bread as I have ever made. It's a small loaf, about 8-inches in diameter, but it bakes up to a decent height. It's also nicely sliceable. Though it will never be as sturdy as a yeast bread, it makes a great bread to enjoy eaten out of hand with butter or alongside a pot of soup or stew.
It's important to know that bread made without yeast will never be the same texture as bread made with yeast. Bread made without yeast is generally a shorter, more dense, slightly crumbly loaf.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need ...
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Buttermilk or Milk
- Mixed seeds - sunflower, flax, sesame, poppy seed etc.
See the FAQ below for tips and substitution suggestions.
FAQ
- Can I use oil or shortening instead of butter? Yes, you can use any neutral-tasting cooking oil or solid shortening in place of the butter. In the case of oil, you may need to use slightly less milk, so don't add it all at first, adding only as much as is needed.
- Can I make my own buttermilk? Yes! Simply add 1 1/2 Tbsp of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 1/2 cups of regular milk. Stir and let stand 10 minutes before using.
- Can I use whole wheat flour, bread flour or gluten free flour? Possibly. I haven't tested any of these flours with this recipe. In the case of whole wheat flour, you may need to add more liquid to the dough and the resulting bread will obviously be heavier. Bread flour may also absorb liquid differently, but otherwise shouldn't be a problem. As for gluten free flour, I suspect you will need to add additional ingredients to maintain the structure of the bread. I suggest seeking out a dedicated gluten-free recipe for best results.
- Can I use a dairy-alternative/nut milk? Possibly. If you've had success with milk alternatives in similar recipes (biscuits, perhaps), it should work here as well. I haven't tested any alternative milks with this recipe myself.
- Can I double this recipe? This recipe does make a small loaf, but I have always enjoyed it that way, as it is quick and easy to make and I just enjoy it right away. I suspect you could double it and bake it in something like a 10-inch (top diameter) cast-iron pan, though again, I haven't tested it myself.
- Can I freeze this bread? Absolutely! Simply wrap well and freeze up to 2 months, though it is best enjoyed within the first month.
Step by Step Photos
- Step 1: Add flour to large bowl
- Step 2: Add baking powder and baking soda
- Step 3: Add salt
- Step 4: Whisk well to combine
- Step 5: Take a minute to make your seed mixture and set aside
- Step 6: Add cold butter pieces to flour mixture
- Step 7: Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour, breaking it up into small pieces no larger than a pea and evenly distributed in the flour.
- Step 8: Add about 3/4 of the buttermilk (or milk) and stir into the flour. Begin adding a bit more, in very small increments, stirring in between, adding just as much as you need, until you get a moist dough. Watch the bottom of the bowl for dry flour. If you have some, add a bit more liquid, then stir in.
- Step 9: Dough should be quite moist, but not super sticky. Definitely not dry and crumbly.
- Step 10: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
- Step 11: Shape into a ball (dusting with a bit of flour if it's sticking to your hands), then press into a round about 7-inches in diameter.
- Step 12: Grease a small skillet, 8-inch round baking pan (such as a round cake pan) or even a baking sheet.
- Step 13: Sprinkle the greased skillet or baking dish with some of the seed mixture.
- Step 14: Place the dough on top of the seeds, then brush with more buttermilk or milk.
- Step 15: Sprinkle top with remaining seeds and press onto dough lightly with the palm of your hand. Cut an "X" in the top of the dough and bake.
Top Tip
The key to this recipe is to add just as much or as much liquid (buttermilk or milk) as you need to create a moist dough - not too sticky/not too dry. Everyone's flour will absorb liquid differently, depending on your general climate or the climate of your own kitchen, so the amount needed will vary slightly between kitchens. Start by adding about 3/4 of the liquid, then go from there, adding in ver small increments and stirring in between. Watch for dry flour at the bottom of the bowl. That's a sign you need to add a bit more liquid. Don't be afraid to go beyond the 1 1/2 cups if your dough needs it.
Recipe
Seeded No Yeast Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt, reduce to 1/2 tsp if using salted butter
- 5 Tbsp butter, cold, cut into 10 pieces
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, or milk, plus more for brushing *See Note 1
- 1/3 cup mixed seed, sunflower, flax, sesame, poppy seed etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a 6 1/2-inch bottom diameter cast iron skillet (or 7-8 inch round baking pan) and set aside.
- Prepare the seed mixture and set aside (I used 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds, 2 Tbsp sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp flaxseed and 1 Tbsp poppy seeds)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the butter pieces to the bowl and using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add enough buttermilk to the flour mixture to form a soft, sticky dough (I usually use all of the 1 1/2 cups). Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times, just until smooth. Shape dough into a 7-inch-ish round.
- Sprinkle some of the seed mixture onto the bottom of a greased skillet or baking pan. Place dough on top of seeds. Brush top of dough with more buttermilk, then scatter remaining seeds over the top and sides of dough. Dip a knife in flour, then cut an shallow X into the top of the dough.
- Bake bread in preheated oven for about 35 - 40 minutes, or until well browned. *Check loaf at around 30 minutes and loosely cover the top with a piece of foil if it looks at risk of over-browning. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. (Bread sliced better when cooled).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Shaks says
Can I make this with whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour? Or atleast use half of both?
Jennifer says
A 100% whole wheat loaf would be quite heavy and dense. Generally, you'll have the best results if you keep the whole wheat flour in the 25-30% range.
Diane R says
I love to cook, but honestly, not much of a baker. I’m so proud of myself,...thanks to you!!! It turned out wonderful and my husband and daughter could hardly believe that I baked such a beautiful bread that was so delicious! My husband is also Irish, so next time I’ll let the fairies out too!!!
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Diane :) Thanks so much!
Joanne says
This bread was absolutely amazing! I wanted a nice crusty bread to serve with sausage and peppers today, and this fit the bill. It brought me back to when I was young and we visited my Mom's aunt from Italy.While we ran through her garden full of fresh vegetables, she would cook a huge dinner and make an Italian rustic bread very much like this. I have tried other yeast free breads, and they have been very dense and tasteless, without a nice crust.
I used sesame seeds and a bit of coarse sea salt because of what I was serving it with. We LOVED it! Thank you for the recipe and for a very pleasant journey back to a time when life was so simple.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Joanne :) Thanks so much!
Jan Rutledge says
Made this a couple of days ago and it was a great success apart from the seeds not sticking to the top. It is almost the same as Irish Soda bread but a lot lighter. I great hit with my Irish husband. The only slight criticism - when you cut a cross in the top you should always pierce each quarter with the tip of a knife to let the fairies out. Looking forward to having some fried with egg and bacon for breakfast.Delicious.
Jennifer says
I didn't know about the fairies :) And I have an Irish husband, too! I will definitely do that going forward, since now that I've heard that, I will just have to. And yes, much like a soda bread, but the added baking powder lightens the texture nicely. So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Beautiful loaf, Jennifer. We're like two peas in a pod this week with our bread. I did seeded oatmeal bread and you did seeded bread and oatmeal bread! This is a wonderful choice right now with there being a yeast drought~!
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and yes, we are definitely both thinking bread :) Loved your loaves, as well!
Milena says
I am so ready to try this recipe - there was not a single pack of yeast today at the grocery store:) Love the abundant seed topping too.
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena and yes, I know there is a shortage, so felt I should share something that didn't need yeast :)
[email protected] says
Pass the butter, please! That seed mixture is calling my name! Can't wait to make!
Jennifer says
Thanks Annie! This is a great one to bake up with a pot of soup, as it's so quick and easy :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Love that this one has no yeast! It look tender, delicious and I yay for those seeds on top for added crunch. Nothing like homemade! Wish I had a slice right now slathered in butter :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn and yes, this one is as close to yeast bread as I've ever made, for sure :)
Leanne says
I'm rationing my yeast, so this recipe is perfect timing Jennifer. I'm going to give this one a try!
Jennifer says
This is a perfect one for right now, Leanne :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I may be running our of yeast soon Jennifer, so I'll need to keep this recipe in my back pocket! Looks yummy!
Jennifer says
Oh no! But this bread will fill in nicely :)
Tricia B says
This must be the perfect bite! That crust, those seeds and the gorgeous texture - I'm all in!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Tricia :)