20 Easy Quick Bread Recipes to Bake and Enjoy Any Time

From banana bread to zucchini-chocolate loaf, we make these recipes on the regular.

banana chocolate chip bread
Photo:

Marcus Nilsson

If you want the fun of baking without the hassle of dealing with yeast, make one of our quick bread recipes. Quick breads are easy-to-make baked goods that include muffins, biscuits, scones, cornbread, and loaves. They are leavened with baking powder and/or baking soda instead of yeast. This baking technique yields fast results because you can pop your bread directly into the oven without allowing time for the dough to rise, a step that's always required when baking with yeast.

Quick breads are wonderful paired with a cup of tea or coffee for a snack or a quick breakfast (and not all of them are loaf-shaped!). Turn to our quick bread recipes when you want an easy, tasty homemade baked good.

01 of 20

Lemon Scones

lemon scones atop cooling wrack
Photographer Bryan Gardner; Food Stylist Laura Rege; Prop Stylist Paige Hicks

One of our favorite quick bread recipes, these lemon scones are easy to make and rich and decadent to eat. There's heavy cream in the batter and a two-ingredient lemon drizzle on top.

02 of 20

Classic Cornbread

corn bread

A classic indeed, cornbread is a versatile quick bread that's just as toothsome served bare bones as it is punched up with other ingredients, like hot peppers and honey. This traditional take has a balance of soft and crumbly textures that lends itself well to being an accompaniment to chili, soup, and more.

03 of 20

Pumpkin-Orange Bread

Martha Stewart Bread
Marcus Nilsson

Pumpkin lovers will rejoice over this quick bread, and you will too because it's so easy to make. Using canned pumpkin keeps the preparation time to a minimum—just 15 minutes for a treat that tastes like it took much longer to make.

04 of 20

Cranberry Bread

cranberry bread
Emily Laurae

If you need a last-minute dessert for a holiday party or potluck, consider this cranberry bread. It comes together in a few simple steps and the cranberries give this quick bread a tart, invigorating bite that will have everyone coming back for seconds and thirds.

05 of 20

Blueberry Scones

Blueberry Scones
Bryan Gardner

Blueberry muffins are a classic and this recipe proves that blueberry scones should be, too. Enjoy these buttery sweet treats for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.

06 of 20

Apple-Oatmeal Muffins

apple-oat-muffins-0091-d112215.jpg
Mike Krautter

Diced McIntosh apple and quick-cooking oats give these muffins a delightful flavor and texture while a buttery crumb topping puts them over the top.

07 of 20

Streusel Banana Bread

streusel banana bread
Yuki Sugiura

Thanks to its glorious, nutty streusel topping, notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt speckle every bite of this banana bread-coffee cake hybrid.

08 of 20

Lemon-Poppy Seed Buttermilk Biscuits

lemon poppy seed biscuits
Armando Rafael

These fluffy biscuits come together in 20 minutes and are perfect served with butter and jam for breakfast. They're also an ideal dessert option when topped with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries.

09 of 20

Quinoa Muffins

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Instead of oat or bran muffins, try these moist breakfast treats to fuel your morning. Substitute other chopped dried fruit for the raisins, if you like.

10 of 20

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

chocolate zucchini bread
Jason Varney

Semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa powder give this zucchini bread a double whammy of rich chocolatey flavor. Make the treat extra sweet by whipping up an easy, three-ingredient glaze with confectioners' sugar, whole milk, and poppy seeds.

11 of 20

Easy Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread

Martha Stewart

Our recipe for easy Irish soda bread calls for basic ingredients and requires no special equipment. Slathered with salted butter and served with anything from jam to Irish stew, it’s just as delicious all year round as it is on St. Patrick’s Day.

12 of 20

Test Kitchen's Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits

classic buttermilk biscuits with jam butter
Armando Rafael

No biscuit cutter or pastry blender is needed for this easy biscuit recipe. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into neat squares—and enjoy the fluffy biscuits with a pat of butter, a swipe of jam, or a drizzle of gravy.

13 of 20

Vegan Banana Bread

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Emily Kate Roemer

Looking for a dairy-free option? This vegan spin on the classic quick bread uses coconut oil, ground flaxseed, and almond milk in place of dairy for moist, scrumptious banana bread.

14 of 20

Zucchini-Parmesan Loaf

Parmesan-Zucchini Loaf

Looking for a way to use up zucchini? This savory bread is a delicious option. It's loaded with tender zucchini and freshly grated Parmesan, perfect to enjoy toasted with butter and ricotta cheese, or on its own.

15 of 20

Morning Glory Muffins

morning glory muffins
Yuki Sugiura

With layers of flavor thanks to the grated apples, carrot, coconut, and golden raisins, these generously sized muffins work well as a filling, nutritious, grab-and-go breakfast option.

16 of 20

Herb-Cheddar Scones

herb cheddar scones
Yuki Sugiura

Elevate your morning breakfast sandwich by using our herb-cheddar scones instead of the usual toast or bagel. Scallions, sharp cheddar, and dill are used in the dough for a depth of earthy flavor.

17 of 20

Irish-Style Brown Bread

irish style brown bread
Jonathan Lovekin

Similar to the bread you might find on a traditional Irish table, this version cuts whole-wheat flour with rye flour. The five-ingredient recipe comes together in less than an hour and can be enjoyed with butter and jam for breakfast or dipping into soups and stews for dinner.

18 of 20

Cheddar Quick Bread

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Yossy Arefi

If you're in the mood to bake but don't want to dirty a bunch of dishes, consider this cheddar bread. The ingredients are whisked together by hand in two bowls and baked in a loaf pan. It's easy to make, easy to clean up, and delicious.

19 of 20

Test Kitchen's Favorite Banana-Chocolate Chip Bread

banana chocolate chip bread
Marcus Nilsson

There are so many ways to make banana bread but we think this is one of the best. Buttermilk makes it tender and adding semisweet chocolate chips seals the deal.

20 of 20

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

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As its name suggests, this gluten-free treat is just the thing for pumpkin fans. The recipe calls for familiar ingredients, like pumpkin purée, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which are combined with gluten-free all-purpose flour (a blend of alternative flours like rice and tapioca) for a treat everyone can enjoy.

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