Time, lack of experience, and special equipment are perhaps the most common excuses for not baking homemade bread. They’re excuses I’m guilty of using myself at times, but today is a new day my friends Today we are collectively toasting these excuses goodbye, and replacing them with toasted slices of warm, freshly baked homemade bread. Why? Because I’ve perfected a homemade oatmeal bread recipe that requires little active effort, zero special equipment, and if this is your first loaf of bread, you’re going to be successful. Skeptical? Hear me out.
Don’t own a fancy bread machine or a stand mixer? This oatmeal bread requires nothing more than a wooden spoon and mixing bowl (like this Rosemary Olive Oil Bread).Short on time (or patience)? You get to skip the kneading with this time-saving oatmeal bread. In fact, you don’t even need to shape the loaf. Just dump the dough into the pan (as you would with the batter for Oatmeal Banana Bread), and walk away.Do you think baking with yeast sounds scary? It isn’t. Yeast is just another ingredient. The more you work with it, the more comfortable you’ll get with it. (No Knead Focaccia and easy Whole Wheat Pizza Dough are two other excellent beginner bread recipes.)
Say it with me: I CAN DO THIS! Homemade bread is 1,000% doable and 10,000% worth it. Get excited!
How to Make Oatmeal Bread
With a rich, complex flavor from a touch of molasses, a light chewy crust, and an incredibly tender interior, this hearty oatmeal bread is ideal for toasting, sandwiches, or just sneaking slices of it from the pan.
The Ingredients
Rolled Oats. Gives this hearty bread a subtle nuttiness, great texture, and extra fiber.Bread Flour. A strong, high protein flour strengthens the dough and helps it retain its structure as it rises.Shortening. Contributes to the soft, fluffy crumb texture of this oatmeal bread.
Egg. Enriches the dough with fat making it soft, fluffy, and ultra-tender. Yeast. Functions as the leavener for this simple bread recipe. Don’t be intimidated. Yeast is just an ingredient, like everything else on this list.
Molasses. Adds depth and flavor (like in these Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins).Salt. Seasons the dough and balances the flavors.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. This oatmeal bread will keep for 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature.To Freeze. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month, wrapped tightly in layers of plastic wrap and foil. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Topping Homemade Oatmeal Bread
Slow Cooker Apple Butter. Scrumptious in the fall.Jam. Try this Strawberry Chia Jam.Peanut Butter or Almond Butter. I love either of these in combination with jam or apple butter.Sliced Fresh Fruit. Try layering thin slices on top of nut butter.Salted Butter. Hard to beat a classic!
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Mixing Bowls. This glass nesting set is perfect for compact kitchens with limited cabinet space, and is dishwasher-safe too.Loaf Pan. These are my all-time favorite loaf pans for homemade bread. Made from non-stick steel that heats very evenly.Glass Measuring Cup. An item no kitchen should ever be without. Its high-quality glass is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
Most yeast manufacturers call for a temperature between 105 degrees F and 120 degrees F. Check your packet for details.
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