🍞 20-Minute Bread Recipe
Quick, Easy, and Delicious — No Yeast, No Fuss!
🧾 Ingredients
Let’s start with simple, pantry-staple ingredients. This recipe doesn’t require yeast or eggs, making it one of the easiest and fastest ways to make fresh bread at home.
Dry Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
(You can also use bread flour for a chewier texture or mix in a little whole wheat flour for nuttiness — see variations below.)
1 tablespoon baking powder
(This acts as our leavening agent — no yeast needed!)
½ teaspoon salt
(Balances flavor — adjust to your preference.)
1 tablespoon sugar
(Just a hint of sweetness to balance the savory notes. Optional, but recommended.)
Wet Ingredients:
¾ cup milk
(Dairy or plant-based milk works; use what you have.)
¼ cup olive oil or melted butter
(Olive oil gives a slightly fruity, Mediterranean flavor, while butter makes it rich and tender.)
🔪 Equipment Needed:
Mixing bowl
Whisk or spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Baking tray (greased or lined with parchment)
Oven preheated to 400°F / 200°C
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Since there’s no yeast or dough rising time involved, we want the oven hot and ready as soon as the dough is mixed.
⏱️ Time saver tip: Turn on the oven before you begin measuring anything.
🥣 Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, add:
2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
Use a whisk to blend thoroughly. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed throughout the dough and prevents weird pockets of baking powder.
🥛 Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Slowly pour in the:
¾ cup milk
¼ cup olive oil (or butter)
Use a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula to stir the mixture together. It will come together quickly into a soft, slightly sticky dough. If it’s too dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the dough is pliable but not wet.
❗ Do not overmix. Once everything comes together and there’s no visible flour, stop stirring. Overmixing activates the gluten too much and results in a tough loaf.
🤲 Step 4: Quick Knead
Lightly flour your work surface. Turn the dough out and knead gently for 2 to 3 minutes. You’re not trying to build a ton of gluten here — just smoothing it out and making it more workable.
If the dough is sticky, dust your hands and surface with flour.
If it feels dry or cracks, dampen your hands and knead it lightly again.
🧠 Pro Tip: This short kneading time is just enough to give your bread structure without slowing you down.
🥖 Step 5: Shape the Dough
You have options here depending on the look and use:
Shape into a small rustic loaf
Press into a flat round disk for flatbread-style
Divide into smaller mini rolls (adjust baking time if so)
Place the shaped dough onto a greased baking tray or parchment-lined pan to prevent sticking.
🔥 Step 6: Bake the Bread
Pop the tray into your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it after the 15-minute mark.
The top should turn lightly golden brown.
When you tap the bottom, it should sound hollow — that’s the classic test for doneness.
👀 Optional: Brush the top with milk or olive oil before baking for a shinier crust.
⏳ Step 7: Let It Cool (Just a Bit)
Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes on a wire rack or the tray itself. This resting time helps the internal steam settle and prevents a gummy texture inside when sliced.
🔪 Tip: Use a serrated knife when slicing — especially if it’s still warm!
🍽️ Serve It Fresh!
Your warm bread is now ready to enjoy. Serve it with:
Butter and jam
Dips and spreads
Soups, stews, or pasta
Use it for open-faced sandwiches
🔄 Optional Variations
Want to customize? Try these flavor twists:
🌾 Whole Wheat Version:
Use 1 cup whole wheat flour + 1 cup all-purpose flour
Add 1 extra tablespoon of milk or water if needed (whole wheat absorbs more liquid)
🧄 Garlic Herb:
Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tsp dried Italian herbs to the flour
🧀 Cheese Bread:
Mix ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, parmesan, etc.) into the dough before kneading
🌶️ Spicy Kick:
Add a pinch of chili flakes and a sprinkle of paprika
📦 Storage Instructions
Store cooled bread in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, wrap it and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven or toaster.
✅ Summary
This 20-minute bread is a game-changer when:
You’re short on time
You’re out of yeast
You want fresh bread with dinner
You’re craving something homemade without the wait