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)

6. Herb and Cheese Pull-apart Bread: Whip up a batch of this savory pull apart bread the next time the mood for garlic bread strikes. Each bite if full of garlicy-cheesy-herby goodness! (via The Tummy Train)

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 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 ingredient makes bread last longer? ›

Sorbic acid: This preservative is added to bread to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Sodium benzoate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of yeasts and bacteria. Potassium sorbate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria.

What makes homemade bread light and fluffy? ›

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

What are the three most important ingredients in bread? ›

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

Why do you put vinegar in homemade bread? ›

And It's not just cakes that benefit from a touch of vinegar, but also biscuits, muffins, and even bread. So when it comes to bread, it's the same concept – vinegar inhibits gluten formation which leads to a more relaxed and extensible dough, resulting in a less dense and chewy bread.

How do you increase the shelf life of homemade bread? ›

Keep it Tightly Sealed

Make sure you know how to properly store your breads, muffins, cookies and more so that they don't age quicker than you'd like. Store them in a tight-fitting container and never store in the fridge (this will dry out baked goods).

What ingredient prevents bread from going stale? ›

Calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate are some of these ingredients, but if you want a more natural option to help prevent the bread from going bad, you can try lactic acid bacteria, which has anti-mould properties.

What additives make homemade bread last longer? ›

Honey and pectin.

Who would have thought those two little ingredients would make a difference but they have. It was as simple as replacing the sugar with honey and adding 1 teaspoon of fruit pectin for every cup of flour in a recipe.

What is the secret to a soft and fluffy bread? ›

Well it's simple, bread flour has an increased amount of protein or more gluten which results in a lighter, fluffier dough which produces a less dense finished product. All-purpose flour can be used for bread but bread flour is always better if your goal is a “fluffier” bread.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

What happens if you put too much yeast in bread? ›

This can affect the bread by adding a "yeasty" taste if you put too much into the dough. General amounts of yeast are around 1 - 2 % of the flour, by weight. Too much yeast could cause the dough to go flat by releasing gas before the flour is ready to expand.

What makes homemade bread better? ›

That said, most homemade breads are likely healthier than store-bought breads, which are often high in sugar and preservatives. One benefit of making your own bread is that you can control the ingredients. For example, you can use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, or add healthy toppings like nuts and seeds.

What is the most important step in bread making? ›

Kneading Dough: Kneading bread dough is an important process to developing a gluten structure which strengthens the bread. It also creates a more even crumb for the final product and improves the flavor of the bread.

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

You can also add herbs and seasonings such as garlic, rosemary, dill, chopped onion, jalapeño, shredded cheese, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, etc. My no yeast bread is the quick bread alternative here—you can add flavors to that loaf, too! Baker's Tip: Avoid adding too much flour to the dough as you work with it.

Is there a trick to slicing homemade bread? ›

To prevent squishing a fluffy, fresh loaf of bread, flip the loaf upside down before you cut into it. The theory is simple: Slicing through the tougher, sturdier heel of the bread first makes it a lot easier to maintain its shape; you pierce through the hard part and then glide through the rest like butter.

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