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Batter Quick Bread for Sweet or Savory Loaves

Batter Quick Bread for Sweet or Savory Loaves

Batter quick bread is an easy quick bread that’s great for beginners or when you don’t have time to go through the rising and proofing processes. It is very versatile so you can add anything you like, such as herbs, spices, dates, figs, apples, oatmeal, carrots, bananas, cherries, raisins, nuts, chocolate, or whatever you can dream up.

You can also make it a filled bread. Making a filled quick bread is much easier than you might think. While you can do it with any bread, it is infinitely easier when you are filling a batter bread.

All you have to do is fill half of the loaf pan with batter, add your filling, and then pour the rest of the batter over the top. The filling can be anything from cinnamon and sugar to cheese, to fruit.

Whether you want savory bread or sweet bread, filled or not, this batter bread delivers. Learn how to make batter quick bread.

Batter Quick Bread Recipe

This easy bread recipe serves 10. Prep time is 15 minutes and bake time 60 minutes. You can add the ingredients below as is or customize it with dried fruit, nuts, etc. 

Quick Bread Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups flour – All-purpose flour, bread flour, self-rising flour, or 1-to-1 gluten free flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder – Omit if you are using self-rising flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt – Omit if you are using self-rising flour
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk or buttermilk, room temperature 
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or mashed fruit
  • ⅓  cup ground flaxseeds
  • ½ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
  • Butter or vegetable oil to grease pan
  • For sweet batter bread: Add 1 – 1 ½ cups brown sugar, white sugar, or combination of both. 

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

If you use self-rising flour:

Omit the baking powder and salt.

Substitution for kosher salt:

Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt. You can also use table salt.

To replace 6 tablespoons of melted butter or vegetable oil:

Substitute 1/3 cup of fresh fruit such as mashed bananas or berries. If using fruit in a sweet bread, reduce sugar to 1 cup.

Thoughts on olive oil:

I do not recommend using olive oil due to the strong taste. However, in a savory bread, it can work. Instead I use avocado oil which is tasteless.

If you are making a sweet bread: 

Instead of 1 – 1½ cups of sugar, you can substitute same amount of honey, monk fruit, or other sweetener. 

Substitution for flaxseeds:

You can use ½ cup bran flakes cereal or cornflakes in place of the flaxseeds. (I don’t use cornflakes or bran flakes cereal because I haven’t found one without palm oil ingredients.) Do not substitute these cereals if you are making gluten free batter quick bread.

How to Make Batter Quick Bread

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Grease a loaf pan (9X5) with vegetable oil or butter.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, (and any add-in spices if using).
  4. In another bowl, combine the eggs, milk, and butter. If you are making sweet bread, add the sugar now. Mix well.
  5. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix only until combined. This will be a batter so it will not form into a dough. If you are making the sweet bread, don’t over stir. If you are making the savory bread, stir it about a minute longer to give it a more bread like texture.
  6. Incorporate your add-ins into the dough until they are just mixed in.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  8. Bake at 350ºF for 40 – 50 minutes for the savory bread and 50 – 60 minutes if making sweet bread.
  9. The bread is done when you insert a toothpick in the center, and it comes out with a moist crumb.
  10. Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 – 10 minutes, then gently remove from the pan, and cool on a wire rack.

How to Make Gluten Free Quick Bread

Be sure to use certified gluten free ingredients to make this quick bread gluten free. Use one-for-one gluten free flour from Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Baking Co. I’ve found they work very well in breadmaking.

To be truly gluten free, you will also need to get certified gluten free oats. Most oats, while naturally gluten free, are processed in plants that also process gluten-containing ingredients. 

If you are adding additional ingredients, many nuts are processed in plants containing gluten. Read labels.

Baking Tips

Here are some baking tips to keep in mind when making batter quick bread recipes:

Use room temperature ingredients

Make sure your ingredients, such as eggs, milk, and butter, are at room temperature before mixing. This will help them blend together more easily and evenly.

Don’t overmix the batter

Overmixing the batter can cause the bread to become tough and dense. Mix until just combined and then stop.

Consider the flour

Using bread flour will create a lighter and chewier texture to your quick bread instead of all-purpose flour which makes the bread denser and a bit flatter. Both work fine when making batter bread; it’s personal preference. I use whatever I have. 

Don’t open the oven door midway during baking

Avoid opening the oven door during baking it’s baking time is complete. Otherwise, the bread may sink in the middle.

Cool baked bread completely before slicing

Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. It’s also preferred to remove it from the pan to cool completely. Cooling prevents the bread from crumbling and/or falling apart.

batter quick bread recipe

Easy batter quick bread recipe with adaptations means you can make it using what you have a taste for

Storing

Store quick bread when it’s completely cooled. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and set on counter out of areas with direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations. You can also store it in a zip-locking bag; be sure to squeeze the air out before sealing. Another option is to seal it in an airtight container. You can keep it up to 3 days. 

To freeze quick bread, use any of the sealing methods above and keep in freezer for up to 6 months. To thaw, set it on the counter overnight. 

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy batter quick bread as you do other breads. Sere it for breakfast with nut butter, jam, strawberry jelly, cherry preserves, orange marmalade, honey, or butter. Place it on a brunch table with several topping options. Slice it to make French toast with it.

Use it for sandwiches. Savory breads pair well with soups, salads, chilis, stews, and hearty dinners. 

How Batter Quick Bread is Different than Other Breads

Batter quick bread is different from other breads because it is leavened with baking powder or baking soda instead of yeast. This means that it doesn’t need time to rise or to proof, which saves time. You can make the batter, and then bake it in a preheated oven immediately after mixing, resulting in a tender and moist texture.

Batter breads also have more of a cake-like texture due to their higher sugar and fat contents, making it a popular choice for sweet treats like banana bread, coconut bread, zucchini bread, and muffins. Batter breads consist of batter instead of dough. Unlike traditional bread, batter quick bread is easy to mix by hand.

FAQs

What quick breads are made from pour batters?

Pour batters are typically used to make quick breads like pancakes, waffles, and crepes.

What are the 3 types of quick bread batter?

The 3 types of quick bread batter are pour batters, drop batters, and soft dough batters. This recipe for quick batter bread is considered a pour batter.

How are most quick bread batters mixed?

Most quick bread batters are mixed by hand instead of in a mixer.

What is the secret to success when making quick breads?

Do not overmix. That’s the secret to success when making quick bread. If you are adding add-ins such as dried fruit, nuts, etc., gently fold them in after the other ingredients are incorporated.

What happens if you over mix ingredients in quick breads?

Many things can happen if you overmix the batter. The end result may have a tough texture. The batter can bake unevenly or have lots of holes.

What is the difference between batters and quick breads?

Batters are the mixture of wet and dry ingredients used to make quick breads. Quick breads are the finished baked product that results from baking the batter.

What is a drop batter quick bread?

A drop batter quick bread is a type of quick bread that has a thicker batter that can be dropped from a spoon or scoop onto a baking sheet or pan. An example is the batter used when making most muffin recipes.

Is pour batter a quick bread?

Pour batter is used to make quick breads like pancakes and waffles, but it is not a quick bread on its own. The finished product is considered a quick bread.

What is the difference between batter type quick breads and dough type quick breads?

Batter type quick breads have a liquid batter, while dough type quick breads have a thicker, dough-like consistency. Examples of batter type quick breads include pancakes and waffles, while examples of dough type quick breads include biscuits and scones.

What are the 7 basic ingredients in quick breads?

Seven basic ingredients in quick breads are flour, sugar, leavening agent (baking powder or baking soda), salt, eggs, fat (such as butter or oil), and liquid (such as milk or water).

What are the 3 main ingredients of quick breads?

The 3 main ingredients of quick breads are flour, leavening agent, and liquid.

What does adding an extra egg do to quick bread?

Adding an extra egg to a batter quick bread recipe can make it more tender and moist.

What does milk do to quick breads?

Milk adds moisture and richness to quick breads. It can also help with browning on the top and sides.

What are two ingredients that allow quick breads to rise?

Baking powder and baking soda are two leavening agents that allow quick breads to rise.

Making Batter Quick Bread at Home

I got in the habit of making bread from scratch because of the long list of ingredients, including many preservatives to extend the shelf-life, in premade breads. You don’t need a bread maker or lots of time when you make bread. Batter breads are easy because they don’t use yeast. You get all the fluffy, tasty goodness of bread without the extra time.

This means it’s easy to make a loaf in the late afternoon and serve for dinner or on a lazy weekend. There’s no end to the combinations you can make. My latest favorite is brown sugar and pecan quick bread… yum!

Thanks for being interested in baking at home. While there are many reasons to reasons to bake from scratch, one of the most important for me is I can use real ingredients. For a simple treat, try this banana bread without flour. Blend everything in the food processor, and pour in the pan. 

Check out my other bread recipes:

If you make this quick batter bread recipe, let me know in the comments. Did you add anything to it? Did you mix in the additional ingredients or make it a filled bread? 

batter quick bread
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Batter Quick Bread

Make this batter quick bread recipe your own. You can make it filled or with the add-ins placed throughout the bread. You can make it sweet or savory. Or make a loaf of each. There's no rise or proof time so it's fast and easy to make. Batter bread is ideal for beginner bread makers.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Keyword batter quick bread, batter quick bread recipe, recipe for batter quick bread
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 10

Ingredients

  • ¼ cups bread flour, all-purpose flour, self-rising
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder omit if you are using self-rising flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt omit if you are using self-rising flour
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk or buttermilk, room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter, avocado oil, or vegetable oil
  • cup ground flax seeds
  • ½ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
  • If you are making this a sweet batter bread, add 1 to 1 ½ cups brown sugar, white sugar, or both.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Grease a loaf pan (9X5) with olive oil or butter.
  • In large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, flaxseeds, and any add-in spices (optional). If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, and melted butter or oil. If you are making sweet bread, add the sugar now. Mix well.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix only until combined. If you are making the sweet bread, don’t over stir. If you are making the savory bread, stir one minute longer to give it a more bread-like texture.
  • If using add-ins, gently incorporate them into the dough until they are just mixed in.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes for the savory bread or 50 to 60 minutes for the sweet bread. The bread is done when you insert a toothpick in the center, and it comes out with a moist crumb.
  • Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Then gently remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Slice and serve.

Notes

Add-in ideas: Dried fruit, chopped apples, diced carrots, nuts, chocolate chips, cheese, etc. 
This is a batter bread so it will not form into a dough. It's essential to not overmix it. Mix by hand until ingredients are incorporated. Do not use a mixer.
Make gluten free quick bread using one-to-one gluten free flour and certified gluten free oats. 
In place of the 6 tablespoons of melted butter or vegetable oil, you can use substitute 1/3 cup of fruit like mashed bananas or berries.
Make it a filled bread by filling half the loaf pan with batter, add your filling, then pour the rest of the batter over the top. The filling can be any combination of ingredients...  from cinnamon and sugar to cheese, to fruit.
 
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