Looking for a quick and easy homemade bread recipe without waiting hours for yeast to rise? This 20-Minute Homemade Bread is a simple solution for busy days. Made with basic pantry ingredients and no yeast, this bread comes together quickly and bakes into a warm, golden loaf with a soft interior.
It’s perfect for serving alongside soups, stews, pasta, roasted meats, or simply enjoying warm with butter.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- No yeast or rising time required
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Easy enough for beginner bakers
- Can be made as one loaf or individual rolls
- Delicious served warm with butter
- Easy to customize with herbs, garlic, or cheese
Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Mix well to distribute the baking powder and salt evenly throughout the flour.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour the warm water and olive oil into the dry ingredients.
Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir everything together until a soft dough begins to form.
If the dough seems slightly dry, add a small amount of water, one teaspoon at a time. If it feels excessively sticky, add a little flour.
4. Knead the Dough
Lightly flour a clean work surface.
Transfer the dough to the surface and knead gently for 1–2 minutes, just until the dough becomes smoother.
Because this is a quick bread made with baking powder rather than yeast, there’s no need for lengthy kneading.
5. Shape the Bread
Shape the dough into one round or oval loaf.
Alternatively, divide the dough into several equal portions and shape them into individual rolls.
Place the shaped dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
For a rustic appearance, lightly score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife before baking.
6. Bake
Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15–20 minutes.
The bread is ready when the surface is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when gently tapped on the bottom.
Smaller rolls may require less time, so start checking them around the 12-minute mark.
7. Cool and Serve
Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for several minutes before slicing.
For the best experience, serve it warm with butter.
Flavor Variations
This quick bread is easy to customize.
Garlic Herb Bread
Add ½–1 teaspoon garlic powder along with dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning.
Cheesy Bread
Add about ½ cup shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan to the dough for a savory cheesy version.
Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
Add 1–2 teaspoons dried or fresh rosemary and a little extra olive oil over the top before baking.
Everything Seasoning Bread
Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the top before baking for extra flavor and crunch.
Tips for the Best Quick Bread
Use warm water: It helps the ingredients come together smoothly. The water should be warm, not hot.
Don’t over-knead: Since this bread doesn’t require yeast development, excessive kneading isn’t necessary and can make the bread tougher.
Don’t add too much flour: A slightly soft dough generally produces a more tender result.
Bake immediately: Baking powder begins reacting once it becomes wet, so it’s best to shape and bake the dough without a long delay.
Serve warm: This bread is at its best shortly after baking, especially with butter.
How to Store
This bread is best eaten fresh on the day it’s made.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To refresh the bread, warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for several minutes or heat individual slices briefly before serving.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Kneading & Shaping: 3–5 minutes
Bake Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 20–30 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf or several rolls
Oven Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
Category: Bread / Baking
Difficulty: Easy
Final Thoughts
This 20-Minute Homemade Bread is a great recipe to keep on hand when you want fresh bread without the waiting time associated with traditional yeast breads. With flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, water, and olive oil, you can have a warm homemade loaf on the table with very little effort.
Add your favorite herbs, garlic, or cheese to make it your own, then serve it warm alongside your favorite meal.