How to make bread without yeast

Imagine you’re at home, ready to bake some bread, but as you reach for the yeast, you realize you’re fresh out! Perhaps you’re someone who’s been experimenting with different bread recipes and are curious about alternatives, or maybe you have a yeast intolerance or just want to avoid using it for health reasons. Whatever the motivation, making bread without yeast can seem daunting at first, but it’s truly an achievable task that can lead to delicious results. So, how do you make bread without yeast?

To make bread without yeast, you can use baking powder or baking soda as a leavening agent, or consider making a soda bread that incorporates buttermilk or yogurt for a quick bread option.

When making bread without yeast, the most common approach involves using baking powder or baking soda. These leavening agents react with the moisture and acidity in the dough to create carbon dioxide bubbles, which help the bread rise. A straightforward recipe would include all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder (about 1 tablespoon per cup of flour), and a liquid like milk or water. Simply mix the dry ingredients, add the liquid, and knead gently before shaping and baking.

Another option is to make a quick soda bread, which incorporates an acidic component such as buttermilk or yogurt. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and the acidic ingredient, then mix until a dough forms. Shape it into a round loaf, score the top with a knife, and bake until golden. This method produces a hearty, dense bread that pairs beautifully with soups and stews or can be enjoyed with butter and jam. Whether you opt for the baking powder route or a classic soda bread, you can enjoy fresh, homemade bread without needing any yeast!