21 Fast and Easy Quick Bread Recipes

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/17/20
Spiced Pumpkin Bread With Walnuts and Optional Raisins

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Quick breads are easy to prepare and bake, and they make a fabulous sweet breakfast or snack bread. Or serve the bread slices as a dessert. You can jazz a quick bread up with a dessert sauce or icing, or serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream. 

When preparing the batter for a quick bread or muffins, combine and mix the dry ingredients thoroughly and then mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Make sure you have your oven preheated and pans greased and ready. The instant the dry ingredients are mixed with the wet mixture, the baking soda and baking powder begin their work, so get it into the pans and oven as quickly as possible. Mix the batter gently and don't worry about little lumps; an overmixed batter will result in a dense bread. If you use self-rising flour in a quick bread recipe, omit the baking powder and salt.

And don't worry about having too much. Leftover or dry quick bread can be used in bread pudding or layered desserts, like a trifle. Treat your friends and family with these excellent quick bread recipes.

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  • 01 of 21

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    Peanut Butter Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Peanut butter powder, chopped peanuts, and mashed bananas flavor this amazing peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread. This moist banana bread makes a fantastic the perfect snack or breakfast bread.

  • 02 of 21

    Georgia Peach Bread

    Georgia Peach Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Bake this flavor-packed moist Georgia peach bread and you'll be rewarded with praise. Make a peach and cream cheese spread if you want to take it to the next level.

  • 03 of 21

    Spiced Pumpkin Bread With Walnuts and Optional Raisins

    Spiced Pumpkin Bread With Walnuts and Optional Raisins

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    A Bundt cake pan makes this big, moist spiced pumpkin bread attractive, and it is packed with flavor. Serve it as a breakfast bread with cream cheese or butter, or jazz it up with a sauce or whipped cream and serve it as a dessert. 

  • 04 of 21

    Pumpkin Bread With Cream Cheese Filling

    Pumpkin bread cream cheese filling

    ​The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    A sweetened cream cheese layer in the center makes this moist pumpkin bread with cream cheese filling extra special. The recipe makes two loaves, one to enjoy now and one to freeze for later or give away.

    Continue to 5 of 21 below.
  • 05 of 21

    Pineapple Nut Bread

    Pineapple Nut Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Crushed pineapple and a cinnamon and pecan topping make this pineapple nut bread stand out. Replace the pecans or walnuts with macadamia nuts if you have them.

  • 06 of 21

    Orange Date Bread

    Orange Date Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Orange juice and dates add flavor and texture to this moist orange date bread. Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the quick bread if you'd like. 

  • 07 of 21

    Instant Pot Banana Bread

    Instant Pot banana bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Things can't get much simpler than this Instant Pot banana bread recipe. This version produces a moist cake that can be made anywhere there's an electric outlet like a potluck, camping, or tailgating.

  • 08 of 21

    Applesauce Bread

    Applesauce Bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    The applesauce bread recipe is perfect for chilly autumn days. Applesauce, oats, walnuts, and whole-wheat flour form the base, while cinnamon and nutmeg give it additional flavor. Bake it up, and a healthy breakfast will be waiting for you in the morning.

    Continue to 9 of 21 below.
  • 09 of 21

    Irish Soda Bread

    Irish Soda Bread

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

    Irish soda bread is a classic quick bread that every baker should learn how to make. Though there are variations, buttermilk and baking soda are the two key ingredients. This recipe uses a combination of all-purpose and whole-wheat flours with dried currants, and it's quite tasty.

  • 10 of 21

    Cranberry Bread

    Cranberry Bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

    This delicate cranberry bread is an elegant make-ahead recipe guaranteed to impress. Studded with chopped pecans and brightened with lemon zest, it's a delightful addition to afternoon tea or brunch.

  • 11 of 21

    Jalapeño Cheddar Quick Bread

    Jalapeño and cheddar cheese quick bread, sliced

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    It's always great to have a savory quick bread in your recipe collection. This jalapeño cheddar quick bread is an ideal accompaniment to chili, Mexican dishes, and hearty soups and stews.

  • 12 of 21

    Strawberry Bread

    Strawberry bread with a cream cheese frosting drizzle

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Chopped fresh strawberries turn what could be a ho-hum quick bread into something bright and delicious. Orange juice in the batter adds a little sweetness and tang, while the cream cheese frosting drizzle completes the strawberry bread with a pretty finishing touch.

    Continue to 13 of 21 below.
  • 13 of 21

    Peach Cobbler Bread

    peach bread
    Diana Rattray

    This moist peach cobbler bread tastes like a peach cobbler in a loaf. A layer of sliced peaches tops the loaf, making it extra moist and attractive. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the loaf just before it goes into the oven.

  • 14 of 21

    Favorite Banana Nut Bread

    Banana nut bread

    The Spruce

    Serve this popular banana nut bread with a cream cheese spread or flavored butter if you'd like. And feel free to add some chocolate chips or toffee bits to the batter for something a little different.

  • 15 of 21

    Golden Apricot Nut Bread

    Golden Apricot Nut Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This golden apricot nut bread bakes to a beautiful golden perfection. Apricots and pecans or walnuts give the loaf amazing texture and flavor. 

  • 16 of 21

    Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

    Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    For a sweeter twist on zucchini bread, add a big handful of chocolate chips. This versatile quick bread can be served as a sweet brunch dish, a light dessert, or a fun snack.

    Continue to 17 of 21 below.
  • 17 of 21

    Cranberry Orange Bread With Orange Icing

    Cranberry Orange Bread With Orange Icing

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Cranberry orange bread with orange icing makes this a cake-like dessert. Or top it off with a dusting of confectioners' sugar if you plan to serve it as a sweet breakfast or snack bread.

  • 18 of 21

    Classic Oat Bannock Bread

    Classic oat bannock bread topped with perserves

    The Spruce

    This traditional classic oat bannock bread is a Scottish bread made with oats. It can be served as a savory bread by reducing the sugar. Or make it a bit sweeter if you like.

  • 19 of 21

    Pineapple, Coconut, and Macadamia Nut Bread

    Pineapple, Coconut, and Macadamia Nut Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Bake this tropical pineapple, coconut, and macadamia nut bread for a holiday or special occasion. The bread offers a combination of tropical ingredients, and it is surprisingly easy to prepare and bake.

  • 20 of 21

    Date and Oat Quick Bread

    date oat bread loaf
    Diana Rattray

    Chopped dates and oats add flavor and texture to this fabulous loaf of date and oat quick bread.

    Continue to 21 of 21 below.
  • 21 of 21

    Fresh Fig Bread

    Fresh Fig Bread

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Bake this sweet fresh fig bread for a special snack or breakfast. If you are lucky enough to have a fig tree in the backyard, make two loaves and freeze one for later.