Easy Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
This Easy Homemade Whole Wheat Bread recipe transforms simple, wholesome ingredients into a soft, flavorful loaf with a subtle sweetness and nutty taste. Perfect for beginners, it uses 100% whole wheat flour, honey, olive oil, and yeast to deliver a healthy bread option that fills your home with a comforting aroma.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dry Ingredients
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups 100% whole wheat flour
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 packet active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is alive and active.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt into the yeast mixture, blending well.
- Add Flour: Gradually add 3 cups of whole wheat flour into the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until it becomes smooth and slightly elastic, which develops the gluten for good texture.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size, allowing the yeast to ferment and create air pockets.
- Deflate Dough: Gently punch down the risen dough to release trapped air and prepare it for shaping.
- Shape Loaf: Shape the dough into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan for the final form.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan and let the dough rise again for approximately 30 minutes until it puffs up nicely.
- Bake Bread: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the bread for 30-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature is about 110°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
- Warm the dough in a cozy spot; if your kitchen is cold, use an off oven with a bowl of hot water nearby.
- Knead the dough sufficiently for a smooth, elastic texture but avoid overworking it.
- Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to prevent a gummy interior.
- Store leftover bread wrapped in plastic or an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For substitutions, warm milk or almond milk can replace water, agave or maple syrup for honey, and melted butter for olive oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: whole wheat bread, homemade bread, healthy bread recipe, easy bread recipe, whole grain bread, baking bread at home, simple bread