23 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 a category of easy-to-make baked goods that includes 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.

While banana bread might be the most well-known quick bread, there are so many other delicious options to choose from—and not all are shaped like loaves. In fact, individual treats, like scones and muffins, bake faster than a loaf of chocolate-zucchini bread or a cranberry loaf.

Quick breads are wonderful paired with a cup of tea or coffee for a snack or afternoon tea, they also make wonderful breakfasts. Turn to our quick bread recipes when you want an easy, tasty homemade baked good.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cinnamon-Sugar Ragamuffins

Cinnamon-Sugar Ragamuffins
Kate Sears

A hybrid of biscuits and cinnamon rolls, this delightful quick bread is taken to the next level by sprinkling the top with sanding sugar.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Strawberry Bread

strawberry bread

Strawberries are the star ingredient of this recipe—they're mashed, simmered in a saucepan, and mixed into a batter spiced with cinnamon. Spread each slice with softened cream cheese to add a creamy element to this sweet treat.

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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.

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One Batter, Four Muffins

muffin-recipe-four-ways-kitchen-conundrums-kc0083-0615.jpg

Use this easy batter to make blueberry or raspberry muffins, strawberry muffins, or banana-pecan muffins. It's sure to become your go-to muffin recipe.

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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.

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Martha's Soda Bread with Rye and Currants

marthas soda bread with rye and currants served on bread board
Thomas Loof

Although it's most often enjoyed at St. Patrick's Day, Martha's soda bread is so good you'll want to serve it year-round. The recipe calls for familiar ingredients, such as currants and caraway seeds, but is also a little different thanks to the addition of rye flour and wheat bran.

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Carrot-Asiago Bread

carrot asiago bread
Marcus Nilsson

Carrots work great in savory baked goods as well as sweet. Sour cream and Asiago cheese give this quick bread a creamy, smooth texture while the nutty topping adds a subtle crunch.

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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, swipe of jam, or a drizzle of gravy.

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Vegan Banana Bread

banana-bread-102882418.jpg
Emily Kate Roemer

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

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Zucchini-Parmesan Bread with Poppy Seeds

Zucchini-Parmesan Bread with Poppy Seeds
Marcus Nilsson

Looking for a way to use up zucchini? This savory bread is a delicious option. It's loaded with tender zucchini, freshly grated Parmesan, and poppy seeds add a welcome crunch.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cheddar Bread

cheese-bread-222-d113085.jpg
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 after, and absolutely delicious.

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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.

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Dark and Spicy Pumpkin Loaf

181-dark-and-spicy-pumpkin-loaf.jpg
Leigh Beisch

As its name suggest, 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 buckwheat and rice flours for a treat everyone can enjoy.

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