Soft, fluffy, and full of flavor, thisWhole Wheat BreadRecipe turns out amazing every time! This recipe requires minimal effort, so you can spend less time baking and more time enjoying this delicious loaf of bread.

A loaf of bread in a blue speckled pan on a wooden cutting board, with a jar of jam, a dish of butter, and a knife nearby, all on a checkered cloth on a white countertop.

There is nothing quite like homemade bread! It can sometimes be a hassle, but this recipe is so easy and does not take much time at all. Just mix everything together, knead the dough, let it rise, and pop it in the oven! The result is a beautifully crafted loaf of homemade whole wheat bread that can be used however you’d like.

I love that you only need to allow this dough to rise one time, because it makes the recipe that much easier. Even though this recipe doesn’t require as much work as other breads, it is still soft, tender, and full of flavor! This bread is absolutely delicious, and once it’s made, it’ll be gone as soon as you set it on the counter.

Whole wheat bread pairs well with many foods. Enjoy it forhealthy toast recipes, alongside soups, or insandwiches with turkey, ham, or veggies. Spreadhummusor nut butter on it for a snack, make it for egg in a hole for breakfast, or pair it with a salad or a cheese plate with fruits.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This bread is so versatile! You can enjoy it on its own or use it for sandwiches.
The gluten and molasses help make this bread soft and chewy.
You can freeze this bread for months at a time, so you can always have homemade bread on hand.

Recipe Ingredients

Water
Vegetable oil
Honey —or molasses or maple syrup
King Arthur Premium 100% Whole Wheat Flour
Instant yeast —or 1 packet active dry yeast dissolved in 2 tablespoons of the water in the recipe
Nonfat dried milk
Salt

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Recipe FAQs

What is wheat gluten?

Wheat gluten is made by hydrating wheat flour to activate the gluten, and then processed to remove everything else except the gluten. It is not technically flour, but it does have a similar powder-like texture. Because whole wheat flour can be heavy and tends to make bread more dense than using white flour, it is a good idea to add wheat gluten to your dough. It helps combat the heaviness by adding a light, airy texture. Using it will keep your bread from being dense and create a soft crumb!

Does instant yeast need to be activated?

No it does not! That is what makes this recipe so much easier and faster than your typically homemade bread. By using instant yeast, you will only need to allow the dough to rise once rather than twice. Unlike active dry yeast, instant yeast can be added directly to your dough instead of needing to dissolve in water first.

How do I fix sticky dough?

Your bread dough will be sticky if there is too much water compared to the amount of flour. This is why you will want to make sure you have additional whole wheat flour when you are making this bread! Simply add about ¼ cup of extra flour to your dough until you notice that it is no longer sticky. Your dough should have structure and be moderately stiff.

A loaf of bread in a blue and white speckled baking pan sits on a wooden cutting board with a blue checkered cloth, next to a jar of honey, a butter dish, and a spoon.

How to Store Your Whole Wheat Bread

Store this bread in an airtight container or bag to ensure that it stays fresh and does not get stale. Keep it on the counter at room temperature and away from any appliances. Try to use it within 3-4 days of making it for maximum freshness.

In addition to storing your bread on the counter, you can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to allow my bread to cool before putting it in a large ziploc bag to reduce the development of condensation. When you are ready to enjoy your bread, simply throw it in the fridge and allow it to thaw. I like to store my thawed bread in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Expert Tips

There are different types of whole wheat flour that can influence your end product. I like to grind my own wheat at home but if you can’t do that,try to get wheat flour that is made from hard white wheat berries for the best results!
Kneading the bread is an important step to getting a good loafbut it doesn’t take too long! Try to knead for about 5-6 minutes.
If you don’t have molasses,you can replace it with more honey in the same measurement!
When making this bread in the summer,the dough should double in size in about 45 minutes. Plan on a little longer in the winter when the house is a bit colder!