How to Make Homemade Bread: A Simple and Natural Recipe

Making your own bread at home is easier than you think. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh, healthy food with just a few simple ingredients. In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to make homemade bread step by step, how to choose the right flour, and how to store your bread so it stays soft and delicious for longer. You don’t need any fancy equipment—just your hands, an oven, and a little time.

How to Make Homemade Bread: A Simple and Natural Recipe

Ingredients for Homemade Bread

You only need four basic ingredients to make a 700 g (1.5 lb) loaf of bread:

• 500 g of flour (about 4 cups)

• 300 ml of water (about 1 ¼ cups)

• 1.5 teaspoons of salt

• 1 packet of dry yeast or 20 g of fresh yeast

That’s it! These simple ingredients are all you need for fresh, homemade bread.

Add Variety with Extra Ingredients

Want to make your bread more special? Try adding ingredients like:

• Dried fruits (raisins, cranberries)

• Seeds (sesame, sunflower, poppy)

• Herbs or seaweed like wakame (great with seafood)

You can make your bread sweet or savory—just use your imagination!

What Type of Flour Should You Use?

Flour gives bread its flavor, texture, and color. Here are the most common wheat flours:

• Type 55 and 65: Classic white bread

• Type 80: Rustic country-style bread

• Type 110: Brown bread

• Type 150: Whole wheat bread

Whole flours have more fiber, vitamins (like B vitamins), and minerals (like magnesium and zinc). Choose organic whole flour if you can, since the outer part of the grain may contain pesticide residue.

Avoid flours with added gluten if you want better digestion.

How to Knead and Shape Your Bread

1. Mix the yeast with the water.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.

3. Add the yeast-water mix.

4. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes: push it with your palms, fold it, and repeat until it becomes soft and stretchy.

5. Let the dough rest in a bowl for 1 hour.

6. Shape it into a ball and place it on a baking sheet.

7. Let it rise again for 15 minutes.

8. Before baking, cut a few lines on top of the dough with a sharp knife.

Is a Bread Machine Necessary?

No! A bread machine is helpful but not required. It can save time by kneading and baking automatically, and some models even let you program it to have fresh bread in the morning. But you can do everything by hand and still get amazing results.

How to Bake Homemade Bread

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F).

2. Bake for about 40 minutes.

Tip: Place a small oven-safe bowl of water in the oven while baking. The steam will help your bread stay soft inside and crispy outside.

How to Store Your Homemade Bread

Wrap your bread in a clean kitchen towel to keep it soft. If you made too much, freeze it in a sealed freezer bag. Push out all the air before sealing. When you’re ready to eat it, reheat it in the oven (never in the microwave) for a fresh, warm taste.

Sources

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source: Whole Grains🔗

• Mayo Clinic – Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet🔗

• Cleveland Clinic – Is Homemade Bread Healthier Than Store-Bought?🔗