Homemade Bread Guide

In case you didn’t know, I LOVE getting questions from readers!  If you have a specific question you want answered on my blog, drop me a line or ask me on my Facebook page!  Below is a question I received from a fellow reader:

“Do you know of any bread recipes that are healthy? A lot of them call for saf yeast or instant yeast. Are these kind of yeasts healthy? Are they better than the processed bread you buy at the store? I would like to find a recipe that is very healthy and will save me money making vs buying the store bought.”

(I have answered this question in a two-part series.  Today I am bringing you part two. To read part one about store-bought bread, click here.)

To answer your question: Yes- there are many healthy homemade bread recipes!  The key is using the right ingredients.  The basics of any healthy whole grain bread recipe will have whole wheat flour (or some other whole grain flour), yeast, salt and water.  Many recipes now days also call for some type of sweetener, such as sugar, honey or molasses (although traditional 100% whole wheat bread does not usually contain added sugar).  The closer a recipe sticks to the basic ingredients, the more likely is it to be healthier.

Yeast

Pretty much most bread recipes will call for some type of yeast, as that is the main ingredient that  leavens the dough, or helps it rise. Yeast also develops the gluten and contributes some flavor.  Yeast is a living organism and feeds on the starches in flour, producing carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide expands the gluten proteins in the flour and causes the dough to develop and rise.  Yeast does not provide a significant amount of calories or nutrients to bread.

There are two main different types of yeast used in baking: active dry yeast and instant yeast.  Most commonly, yeast is sold in packets of 3, with each packet containing 1/4 ounce of yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons).  Many yeasts are also sold in jars, as well.

Active Dry Yeast

Active dry yeast requires proofing (being dissolved in a small amount of lukewarm warm water and sometimes some sugar) before adding it to a recipe. Recipes using active dry yeast often require two rising periods.  Don’t use active dry yeast in recipes calling for instant yeast (the yeast won’t dissolve properly.)

Instant Yeast

Instant yeast (also called rapid rise yeast or bread machine yeast), does not require proofing. (SAF yeast is simply one of the many brands of instant yeast).  Instant yeast can be mixed straight into the dry ingredients with the same result as active dry yeast after proofing. This is because instant yeast particles are grown with a higher level of nutrients and are dried to lower moisture content. The granule size is also smaller which allows for complete hydration of the yeast cells when mixed in with the other ingredients.

Instant yeast usually only requires one rising period. You may use instant yeast in recipes calling for active dry yeast, however, it may not rise as much.

For more information on baking with yeast, check out these resources by Fleischmann’s:

Baking FAQ’s

Yeast Basics

The Cost of Bread

I went to my local Wal-Mart to price out some store-bought 100% whole wheat bread.  Here is what I found:

As you can see, the price ranges can vary anywhere between $0.08 per ounce to $0.19 per ounce!  I did not look at the complete nutritional profile of each of these, but did make sure they were all 100% whole grain.

Now comparing this to making your own at home.  This is where it gets tricky, because it will vary depending on the recipe and individual ingredients used – even using brand name flour versus store brand flour will change the price of the same recipe.

For your convenience, I have broken down the costs on the recipes listed below – only taking into account ingredient costs (not the costs of heating the oven, electricity, labor, etc).  I used the lower cost brand of most of the ingredients, except when it specifically called for a certain brand and for the olive oil.  As with the store-bought breads, there are wide variations in costs between the recipes I chose – anywhere from $0.90 to $2.32 for a loaf of bread! (Not including the buns or foccacia bread recipes).

To see the cost of the ingredients I used, as well as the recipe costs breakdown see Bread Ingredients Costs and Bread Recipe Costs.

Below I have rounded up some healthier bread recipes.  These will get you off to a good start!

*Note: If you read my store-bought bread guide post, I advise keeping the added sugar to a minimum.  Most of the recipes above call for honey or other sweetener.  While adding flavor and other properties to bread, keep in mind balance and moderation of added sugars and sweeteners and try to keep them at a minimum, if possible.

Is Homemade Healthier?

So to answer your question if store-bought bread is healthier than homemade bread – the answer is: it depends. You can make a wholesome and healthy homemade bread at home, but you can also add in more sweeteners, refined flour, and other add-ins to make it less healthy.   Likewise, you can find a mix of healthy and less healthy breads at the store.

Either way, whether you prefer to buy or make your bread – follow the guidelines in my two posts and you should be eating healthier, wholesome slices of bread!

Do you have a favorite healthy homemade bread recipe? What makes yours special? Let me know in the comments!

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Brittany

I'm a registered dietitian nutritionist and mom of four with a passion of helping families build confidence in the kitchen. I share family friendly recipes and helpful tips to help you navigate mealtime one bite at a time.

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