No Yeast Required! 14 Bread and Biscuit Recipes to Satisfy Your Carb Cravings

Ready to bake but out of yeast? No worries, we have you covered! Peruse this selection of sweet and savory, no-yeast bread and biscuit recipes. You’ll find banana bread, beer bread, and soda bread. When you’re done with those start on the biscuits and cornbread!

By
Claudia Cash
Claudia Cash
Claudia Cash
Claudia is the Community Manager for Simply Recipes and has contributed numerous articles focused on cooking on a budget, quick and easy meals, and kid-friendly foods.
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Published May 29, 2020
Claudia Cash
Three images side by side of baked bread that does not require yeast. The image on the left is an oatmeal soda bread. The image in the middle is a plate of buttermilk biscuits. The last image is a loaf of orange quickbread with a few slices laying in front of the loaf.

When the leaves change that means the oven turns on. It might be time for pumpkin spice and front porch decorating, but, for me, fall means baking season! There’s just something about baking that soothes the soul. I call it baking therapy, but you can call it whatever you like!

Sometimes the need to bake yeasty loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls doesn't always align with actually having yeast on hand. Never to be outdone by a shopping list, I get my baking (and bread) cravings in even when certain key ingredients like yeast are missing from my cupboard.

What’s a good human to do when this happens? Keep Calm and Bake On, that’s what I say!

We have plenty of bread and biscuit recipes that don’t require yeast. Here are a few that will fill your house with that homey baked-bread scent and give you the carb-loaded comfort you crave.

  • Banana Bread

    Banana Bread
    Elise Bauer

    This is the first bread recipe that comes to mind when yeast is nowhere to be found. Our version is simple, doesn’t require a mixer, and uses only one bowl. Banana bread is the perfect breakfast or snack! Looking for more Banana Bread Recipes? Check out some of our favorite recipes here.

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  • Zucchini Bread

    Slices of easy zucchini bread on a platter
    Elise Bauer

    In the summer I shred zucchini and freeze it to use later. This is the recipe you’ll want in your back pocket. You’ll get your baking fix while using up that plentiful zucchini. It’s a win-win situation!

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  • Orange Bread

    Orange Bread
    Elise Bauer

    Brighten up any day with a slice of this bread. You can use any oranges you’d like and increase the flavor with more orange zest!

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  • Guinness Bread with Molasses

    Guinness Bread Molasses
    Elise Bauer

    If you’re looking for something rich and malty this is the bread for you. If you don’t have Guinness on hand use a different beer – skip the IPAs though, the bitterness will overpower the bread.

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    Continue to 5 of 14 below.

  • No Knead Bread

    Side view of no-knead dutch oven bread on a cutting board. The crust is deep golden brown and a second loaf is behind the first.
    Sally Vargas

    This recipe calls for yeast, but also gives instructions for substituting sourdough starter if you have that on hand. It’s an easy-to-make loaf with a crusty surface and chewy crumb. Let it rise overnight and bake it in the morning!

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  • Boston Brown Bread

    Boston Brown Bread
    Elise Bauer

    This chewy bread is made right in a coffee can (or a loaf pan, if you desire) and is steamed on the stovetop or in the oven. We give you directions for both ways!

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  • Oatmeal Soda Bread

    Oatmeal Soda Bread
    Elise Bauer

    This is a fantastic bread to make in times of shortage because this version swaps rolled oats for some of the flour. The result is deeply flavored and nutty loaf.

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  • Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread

    Brazilian Cheese Bread
    Elise Bauer

    This is a simple, gluten-free bread recipe made from tapioca flour. You can make it with several different types of cheese, but we are particularly fond of feta. Simply pour the ingredients in a blender, pour in a muffin tin, and bake!

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    Continue to 9 of 14 below.

  • Cheese Biscuits

    Cheese Biscuits
    Elise Bauer

    You’ll want to bake the day away after you try these. What’s not to love about tender, flaky biscuits surrounded with cheese? There are so many variations you could make, so use up whatever cheese you have on hand!

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  • Classic Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

    Southern Biscuits with White Lily Flour - hands holding a plate of biscuits
    Alison Bickle

    All you need is four simple ingredients and you’re on your way to the best biscuits in all the land. What makes a good biscuit? It should be strong enough to be dipped in honey or white gravy, and if times are good, a piece of country ham stuck in the middle.

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  • Bisquick Shortcake Biscuits

    Bisquick Shortcake Biscuit
    Elise Bauer

    If you’re short on flour and yeast head to the pancake aisle! You might be able to repurpose a box of Bisquick. This recipe makes a sweeter biscuit, but you can reduce the sugar to make it more savory if you’d like.

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  • Yankee Cornbread

    Yankee Cornbread
    Sheryl Julian

    This slightly sweetened cornbread is welcome at any dinner table. It pairs perfectly with chili or chicken. Our version has a little Greek yogurt, which definitely isn’t traditional, but it balances out the cornmeal!

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    Continue to 13 of 14 below.

  • Southern Cornbread

    Cornbread recipe baked in a cast iron skillet with a large slice removed.
    Elise Bauer

    If you want cornbread that’s savory, this is the way to go. It’s flavored with bacon drippings, cooked in a cast iron skillet, and comes out wonderfully crumbly! If you want a little heat, try this version.

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  • Green Chile Cornbread

    Green Chile Cornbread
    Elise Bauer

    This cornbread is loaded with bits of corn and chopped green chilies. It’s tender, moist and bursting with flavor.

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