Stop Loafing Around: 30 Easy Great Homemade Bread Recipes (2024)

We’ve rounded up thirty great homemade bread recipes for you here — everything ranging from yeast breads to quick breads to a few for special diets — to make you an even better baker! Need more inspiration? Be sure to check out some past Brit + Co. favorites like 3-Ingredient Cheesy Monkey Bread, Farmhouse Whole Wheat Bread and Cauliflower Protein Bread (it’s Paleo-friendly!).

1. Honey-Wheat Bread: This Outback Steakhouse copycat creates irresistible, slightly sweet loaves. Make sure you have plenty of softened butter on hand to slather on still-warm slices! (via I Heart Eating)

2. Sweet Potato Challah: Combining sweet potatoes and Challah — does a more Thanksgivukkah-appropriate bread exist? Bonus: those childhood sleepover-honed braiding skills will be put to use when shaping this loaf. (via La Petite Brioche)

3. Brioche Rolls with Chocolate: Utilizing a foolproof, bake-on-your-own-schedule brioche dough, these chocolate-filled brioche rolls are easy enough to whip up first thing in the morning. A fantastic accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee. (via Tutti Dolci)

4. Parker House Rolls: This classic American roll recipe needs to be in your bread-baking repertoire. A crowd favorite, these rolls gets a little extra oomph with a quick brush of butter and sprinkle of flaky salt just before baking. (via Bon Appetit)

5. Spelt Bread Rolls (Vegan): These rolls utilize spelt — a more easily digested form of wheat (psst, it’s not gluten-free) — in three forms! With an added boost of texture from walnuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds, they are also rather high in protein. (via Green Attraction)

7. Crusty Baguette (Gluten-free): Can you believe these gorgeous, bakery-quality loaves are gluten-free? Employing a few alternative flours — rice, sorghum and cornstarch — along with psyllium husk (in place of the more common xanthan gum), this is a great recipe for gluten-free baking pros and novices alike! (via Bread & Companatico)

8. Monkey (Ginger)bread: A festive twist on the classic monkey bread, this spiced loaf would be a welcome addition at breakfast — especially on holiday mornings — all winter long. (via Splash of Something)

9. No-Knead Bread: Flour, yeast, salt and water. Those are the only ingredients you need to make this nouveau classic, impressively crusty loaf at home! (via Babble)

10. Panettone: Save the dried fruit for another use, this version of panettone is full of chocolate and nuts! The recipe uses metric measurements, but a kitchen scale — like this clever Digital Scale and Measuring Cup — or a quick conversion will have you baking this traditional Italian Christmas loaf in no time. (via From Buenos Aires to Paris)

11. Croissants: Master flaky, French croissants at home with this fantastic pictorial guide. Prefer yours filled (mmmmm, Nutella would be ahh-maze-ing, right?) — don’t worry, that’s covered in this tutorial, too. (via Iron Whisk)

12. Sourdough Bread: The “mother” of all breads, this recipe guides you through making the original San Francisco treat — sourdough — from scratch. (via Instructables)

13. Pizza Monkey Bread: All thoughts of cheesy breadsticks will disappear once you try this savory monkey bread! If you’re not ready to work with yeast quite yet, feel free to substitute pre-made biscuit dough from the grocery store. (via What’s Gaby Cooking)

14. Pain D’Epi (Wheat Stalk Bread): It’s amazing what a little clever shaping can do for bread. Just a few snips and folds, and a baguette is transformed into a gorgeous wheat stalk-shaped loaf — a nice change of pace from sliced bread and rolls, no? (via Monistical)

15. Soft Pretzels: Oktoberfest may be over, but that doesn’t mean homemade soft pretzels are any less of a hit! Try them dipped in one of our kicked-up queso recipes — the Chipotle Bacon Queso, OMG — for the ultimate football season snack! (via 8.ate@eight)

16. Cinnamon Buttermilk Bread Wreath: This deceptively easy braided loaf is topped with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar, for just a hint of spice. By combining buttermilk and yeast, you are rewarded with a lovely, soft and fluffy loaf. (via Bakeaholic Mama)

17. Skillet Focaccia: Do you love focaccia, but are short on time? This recipe is for you — it only takes about an hour to make! (via Crunchy Creamy Sweet)

18. Chocolate-Orange Swirl Bread (Low Carb & Gluten-free): The classic-yet-polarizing combo of orange and chocolate creates a flavorful loaf of quick bread, perfect for breakfast or for an afternoon tea. Utilizing almond flour and alternative sweeteners, it’s a great recipe for those looking for a higher protein, low-carb and gluten-free treat. (via All Day I Dream About Food)

19. English Muffins: While excellent all year long, keep this recipe for homemade English muffins chock-full of nooks and crannies in mind when it’s too hot out to light the oven — they are “baked” entirely on the stovetop! (via Seeded at the Table)

20. Naan: There are so many different ways you can jazz up this basic naan recipe — herbs, cheese, you name it! Use any leftover naan as a pizza crust stand-in; you’ll have a tasty, no-delivery-required meal ready in no time. (via Food52)

21. Grain-free Sandwich Bread (Paleo and SCD): While still denser than the white bread of our childhoods, a lighter crumb is achieved with the clever addition of beaten egg whites stirred into the mix just before baking. Slices toast up beautifully, and work well for French toast, panini and more! (via Against All Grain)

22. Brioche Buns (Vegan): These barely sweet, vanilla-scented buns would be perfect alongside a cup of coffee or tea. As an added bonus: they’re made without a trace of butter or milk, making them vegan without any sacrifice in flavor! (via Italian Chips)

23. Honey Beer Bread: No yeast or kneading here! This insanely quick-to-prepare bread is lent a lovely malty flavor from the beer, which is nicely complemented by a touch of honey and butter. (via Oh Sweet Day!)

24. Cornbread: No Thanksgiving table is complete without cornbread in some form — give the boxed mixes a rest this year (admittedly, I’m quite partial to them) and give this crumbly, slightly crunchy version a try. After turkey day, they would be a hit served alongside any of these fantastic chili recipes! (via Hummingbird High)

25. Buttermilk Biscuits: You’re only six ingredients away from flaky, golden biscuits that are fantastic on their own, or topped with a runny egg and bacon and assembled into a tasty breakfast sandwich. (via Food Network)

26. Apple Butter Drop Biscuits: No specialty equipment is needed for these biscuits — just your fingertips. The sneaky addition of whole wheat flour and apple butter gives these unfussy biscuits a nice healthy boost. (via Southern Souffle)

27. Easy, One Bowl Pumpkin Bread: It’s a shame that during one of the busiest times of year we are presented with so many irresistible pumpkin recipes to try, but no more hours in the day. That’s where this recipe comes in — one bowl means fewer dishes and more time to research your next pumpkin project . . . and spend with family and friends, of course! (via The Baker Chick)

28. Zucchini and Pecan Bread: These zucchini and pecan breads make perfect little gifts for the holidays. Baked in parchment-lined clay pots, just add some pretty paper and string to the outside and gift away! (via Canelle Et Vanille)

29. Carrot-Banana Bread: A fusion of two quickbread favorites — carrot and banana — this loaf avoids being overly dense with addition of whipped egg whites. For added texture and flavor variation, pecans or walnuts can be added to the mix. (via Chasing Delicious)

30. Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread): It’s no longer necessary to plan a trip to your nearest rodízio to get your fill of this airy, cheesy (and naturally gluten-free) bread. (via theKitchn)

Are you totally inspired to break out the flour and yeast, or are quick breads more your speed? Talk to us in the comments below.

Heather Sage

Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.

Stop Loafing Around: 30 Easy Great Homemade Bread Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What ingredient makes homemade bread last longer? ›

Hydrocolloids. Hydrocolloids are ingredients that work wonders to keep bread fresh and delicious for longer. The ones commonly used in bread are agar and carrageenan from seaweed, and cellulose and gum acacia from plants.

What is the secret to making homemade bread? ›

12 tips for making perfect bread
  1. Use the right yeast. ...
  2. Store your yeast properly. ...
  3. Treat salt with care. ...
  4. Take your time. ...
  5. Try different flours. ...
  6. Consider vitamin C. ...
  7. Practice makes perfect. ...
  8. Don't prove for too long.

What is the secret to success when making quick breads? ›

Quick breads are typically mixed by hand, and it's important not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the gluten in the flour to develop, resulting in a tough and chewy bread. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined, and then stop. If there are a few lumps in the batter, that's okay.

What can I add to bread to keep it moist? ›

Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, why not add honey, molasses, or brown sugar to your recipe? Not only will they give your bread a unique flavor, but they'll also help keep it soft and moist for days.

What is the best preservative for homemade bread? ›

Propionic acid, as well as its salt, are the most widely used chemical preservatives in bread [7]. It helps prevent mold deterioration and bread ropiness that occurs due to B. subtilis.

What do bakeries put in bread to keep it soft? ›

Commercial bakeries use two types of ingredients to slow spoilage — emulsifiers and enzymes. Emulsifiers keep bread from going stale by preventing oil and water from separating. Adding emulsifiers sometimes goes by the names “crumb softening” or “dough conditioning” because it works to preserve texture.

What not to do when making bread? ›

The top mistakes you're making when you bake bread
  1. You're measuring incorrectly. ...
  2. Your yeast is old. ...
  3. You're using low-protein flour. ...
  4. You're using too much flour (or water) ...
  5. Your oven isn't hot enough.
Apr 15, 2020

What can I add to homemade bread to make it taste better? ›

Granulated sugar or honey: the sugar is used to “feed” the yeast and tenderize the bread. Salt: to enhance flavor. Oil: Vegetable or canola oil, or melted butter could be substituted.

What are the three most important ingredients in bread? ›

The principal ingredients in all bread are:
  • Flour.
  • Yeast.
  • Salt.
  • Water.

What's the purpose of an egg in a quick bread? ›

Eggs also act as an emulsifier. By surrounding small particles of fat, the egg helps make the quick bread batter smoother, thus contributing to volume and texture. In addition, when eggs are beaten, they incorporate tiny air bubbles that expand with heat in the oven, contributing to volume.

What is the main thing to avoid when making quick breads? ›

Don't Overmix

When stirring up quick bread recipes, it's important not to overmix the batter once you've added flour. Instead, mix until the liquid and dry ingredients are just combined. And, yes, it's OK to have a few small lumps leftover.

What makes bread rise faster? ›

Warm liquids help activate yeast more quickly. The ideal temperature is typically between 100°F to 110°F (37°C to 43°C). Use Instant Yeast: Instant yeast (also known as quick-rise or rapid-rise yeast) is designed to work faster than active dry yeast. You can add it directly to your dry ingredie.

Does butter or oil make bread more moist? ›

If you want delicate, soft, and tender baked goods, I recommend using oil vs. butter. Butter will result in a denser crumb and not be as moist.

How do you keep homemade bread fluffy? ›

Bread boxes, if you have one, work great, but you can also use wax paper, a beeswax and linen bag, or even a dishcloth. A clean dish towel is one of Hartzheim's favorite options. "Plastic bags help keep the crumb (the interior of the loaf) soft but also make the crust soft.

What makes bread moist and fluffy? ›

1. Protein Structure: When bread dough is mixed and kneaded, gluten proteins in the flour form a network. During baking, this network traps carbon dioxide gas produced by yeast or chemical leavening agents. This gas expansion gives the bread its airy, soft texture.

How can I make fresh bread last longer? ›

Wrapping bread in foil works, too, as it is airtight. If you have round bread with a crispy crust like a sourdough boule, you don't have to wrap it at all. Put it cut-side down on a clean kitchen counter and let its thick crust protect the interior. It will dry out somewhat, but less than you may expect.

How do you extend the life of fresh bread? ›

To save bread so it stays fresh longer, you can store it in plastic wrap, a reusable zip-top plastic bag, or a bread box. Avoid storing bread in damp, airy locations, which can speed up molding. If you're not going to eat the loaf in two or three days, the best option is to freeze it for later.

What makes bread last so long? ›

You might spot them in the ingredients list as protease, carbohydrase, or oxidase, among other terms. Antimicrobials such as calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, or potassium sorbate, meanwhile, help to inhibit the growth of mold on the loaf, which also helps to give store-bought bread its long shelf-life.

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