Easy Recipes to Make Your Own Bread
Toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, rolls for dinner—bread is always there for us. It’s a crusty, golden, oh-so-satisfying, carb-loaded staple of life that manages to show up at every meal. So we want to show you some easy recipes to make your own bread and enjoy it even more!
But have you ever stopped to think about the ingredients in the loaves from the grocery store? It may say “whole grain” or “multigrain,” but flip it over. A mile-long list of ingredients features words you need a chemistry degree to pronounce.
Why not make your own bread? Sure, it may transport you to nostalgic episodes of Little House on the Prairie. But the process is a sustainable, delicious, nutritious way to reclaim one of life’s simple pleasures. You’re in control when you make your own bread: no preservatives or artificial junk. Plus, there’s something satisfying about adding “baker” to your list of accomplishments.
Keep reading for easy homemade bread recipes, ingredient basics, and reasons to say goodbye to store-bought bread forever.
The Benefits of Homemade Bread for Health and Flavor
Imagine the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your house. The crust crackles as you slice into it, revealing a soft, airy interior—perfect for a slab of butter or fruit jam.
- Homemade bread gives you control over ingredients, allowing you to avoid preservatives and artificial chemicals or additives.
- Pack your bread with whole grains, seeds, and nuts for optimal nutrition.
- Homemade bread tastes fresher and more flavorful, without excess sugar or salt.
- Baking bread is sustainable, budget-friendly, and customizable for dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan options.
- Baking bread can be cathartic and therapeutic, turning a simple task into a rewarding experience.
- Baking bread at home reduces packaging waste, allowing you to enjoy bread at its freshest while practicing an eco-friendly lifestyle.
The Basics of Healthy Bread Ingredients: Seeds, Nuts, and Whole Flours
At its core, bread is simple: flour, water, yeast, and salt. However, you can customize homemade bread to be healthier, more flavorful, and more nutritious. Baking bread can be a process of trial and error until you find a recipe you love more than others.
For example, you could change the texture, flavor, and nutritional value using whole wheat, spelt, rye, oat, or sourdough. You could also add crunch and boost vitamins like omega-3s by baking with sunflower, sesame, flax, and chia seeds. Then, throw in a dose of heart-healthy fats with walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts.
Milling your own grain is one of the freshest, most rewarding ways to ensure whole, nutritious ingredients. By grinding whole grains at home, you retain natural nutrients, like fiber, often lost during commercial milling. Freshly milled flour also provides a unique, richer flavor, adding a decadent quality to your homemade bread.
Tip: When choosing ingredients, look for minimally processed, organic options when shopping at a chain grocery store. You could also grow your own ingredients or shop sustainably with local farmer’s markets or homesteaders.
Easy Healthy Bread Recipes to Try
- Whole Grain Seeded Bread
Ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons flax seeds
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/4 teaspoons (or one packet) instant yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
Instructions:
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add warm water and stir until a sticky dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 2 hours until the dough has doubled.
Preheat your oven to 450°F and place your bread-baking Dutch oven (or equivalent loaf pan) inside to heat. Place the dough on a floured surface, shape it into a ball, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Place the dough into your bread-baking pan (or Dutch oven), cover, and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the crust is crispy and golden.
Allow the bread to cool before slicing and enjoying!
- Oatmeal Honey Bread
Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
Combine oats, flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Add warm water, honey, and olive oil, stirring until the dough forms. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth (no air bubbles). Place the dough in a greased mixing bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan. Allow to rise for another 30 to 45 minutes. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
Allow it to cool completely before slicing.
- Quick Greek Yogurt Flatbread
Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add yogurt and mix until dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 3 minutes, then divide it into four equal segments. Roll each piece into a flat circle (around 1/4 inch thick).
Heat a skillet over medium heat and brush with olive oil. Cook each flatbread for 2 minutes per side until golden spots appear.
Serve warm or store in an airtight container.
Finding Your Community of Home Bakers
Did you know you could join a community of home bakers to share your passion for bread and sustainable living? Troubleshoot dough issues, swap recipes, and share pictures of delicious, nutritious loaves from your kitchen, turning a hobby into a shared experience with like-minded carb lovers.
One great way to connect is by attending events like the Healthy Bread Class with Judy Felts at Stoney Creek Farm. This hands-on class allows you to hone your bread-making skills while sharing laughter and knowledge with others. Judy’s approachable teaching style makes it easier to feel at home, and you’ll leave with new skills, fresh ideas, and a few new friends.
Baking your own bread can be a journey beyond perfecting dinner rolls. You can create something nourishing for yourself and your loved ones. So, roll up your sleeves, attend a class, explore new techniques, and take your passion for bread to new heights.
