Few things are as satisfying as homemade bread, and this barbeque grilled beer bread or ‘rooster brood’ as they call it when done on the grill, takes the experience to a whole new level. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create rolls that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and infused with the subtle richness of beer. Whether you’re hosting a braai or enjoying a quiet meal, this recipe is sure to impress.
What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and rustic charm. It’s a perfect blend of convenience and flavor, allowing you to customize it with garlic, cheese, or onion for a personal touch. These smoky, golden rolls bring people together—so grab your apron and get ready to serve up something unforgettable!
The Science Behind Beer Bread
Made with self-raising flour, a combination of flour, baking powder, and salt, which acts as a leavening agent, and therefore, no yeast is needed. The beer also helps the bread rolls rise due to its yeast content. As no yeast is actually needed to make the bread, this also means no long hours need to be spent waiting around for your bread rolls to proof! The beer also contributes to a savory flavour in the bread, and so when choosing a beer, it is important to pick one that you would actually drink and like the taste of, as the flavour will come through in the bread.
Ingredients
- 500g white self-raising flour or 500g flour and 15 to 20ml baking powder
- 5ml salt
- 340ml can beer
- 250ml grated cheese
- 5ml chopped garlic
- 125ml grated Cheddar cheese
- 125ml powdered biltong
- 125ml fried bacon pieces
- 125ml sun-dried tomatoes and olives leave the cheese out for this variation
- 3 chopped spring onions
Optional add-ins for variety:
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180° C / 350°F.
Beer Bread:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Mix flour and salt, add 340ml beer, and stir into a stiff dough.
- Spoon into a greased 18cm x 8cm pan.
- Bake 45 min until cooked.
Bread Rolls (‘Roosterkoek’):
Preheat oven to 70°C (21°F).
- Mix flour, 340ml beer, and salt; knead until smooth.
- Lightly flour a tray, shape dough into flat rounds, and place on tray. Rest in oven for 30-60 min.
- Grill over hot coals, turning frequently, until golden.
Serve warm the bread or roosterkoek with butter, and my personal favourite, jam
BBQ Grilled Beer Bread – Roosterkoek
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, beer, and salt thoroughly, then knead the dough until smooth.
- Lightly flour your baking tray
- Divide the dough into the desired number of rolls, breaking off pieces and keeping them covered while shaping.
- To shape: tuck the edges under to form flat, round rolls, coat in flour, press down gently, and rotate to even out the shape.
- Arrange the rolls on the prepared baking tray.
- Place the tray in the oven at a very low temperature (it should not be hot) for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the dough to rest.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and barbeque them over hot coals, turning frequently for an even, golden crust. They will be light in weight, then you know they are cookes.