Easy Homemade Bread

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. It’s warm, comforting, and downright magical. But if you’ve never made bread before, it can feel a little intimidating.
That’s where this recipe comes in. This Easy Homemade Bread is perfect for beginners—no fancy techniques, no complicated steps, and no kneading required. Just a few simple ingredients and a little patience, and you’ll have a loaf of bread that’s soft, fluffy, and absolutely delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Bread
Let’s be honest—homemade bread is a game-changer. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
1. It’s incredibly easy. No kneading, no stand mixer, and no stress—just mix, rise, and bake.
2. Perfect for beginners. If you’ve never made bread before, this is the recipe to start with.
3. Uses pantry staples. Flour, yeast, water, salt, and a little sugar—that’s all you need.
4. Totally customizable. Add herbs, cheese, or seeds to make it your own.
5. Fresh and delicious. Nothing beats the taste of warm bread straight from the oven.
How to Make It
Making this Easy Homemade Bread is as simple as 1-2-3. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Mix the dough.
In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 2: Let it rise.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Shape and bake.
Transfer the dough to a greased loaf pan, cover, and let it rise again for 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 4: Cool and enjoy!
Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Serve with butter, jam, or your favorite toppings.
Make Ahead Method
Want to prep this bread ahead of time? Here’s how:
1. Make the dough the night before.
After mixing the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
2. Freeze the baked bread.
Once the bread is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven before serving.
Pro Tips
Use a kitchen scale. Measuring flour by weight (instead of volume) ensures the perfect texture every time.
Don’t skip the second rise. This step gives the bread its light, fluffy texture.
Test for doneness. Tap the bottom of the loaf—if it sounds hollow, it’s done.
Add flavor. Mix in herbs, garlic, cheese, or seeds for a tasty twist.
Store properly. Keep the bread in a paper bag or bread box to maintain its crust.
Storage Options
Store leftover bread in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze the bread for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven before serving.

Tools For This Recipe
Large mixing bowl. For combining the ingredients.
Loaf pan. A standard 9×5-inch pan works great.
Kitchen towel or plastic wrap. For covering the dough while it rises.
Oven thermometer. To ensure your oven is at the right temperature.
FAQs!
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes! Instant yeast works fine—just add it directly to the flour.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend and add 1 tsp xanthan gum for structure.
Why is my bread dense?
This can happen if the dough doesn’t rise enough or if you overmix it.
Can I make this without a loaf pan?
Yes! Shape the dough into a round loaf and bake it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Can I add mix-ins?
Absolutely! Try herbs, cheese, garlic, or seeds for extra flavor.
Variations and Substitutions
Herb bread: Add 1-2 tbsp of dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
Cheese bread: Mix in 1 cup of shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese.
Seeded bread: Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or sunflower seeds on top before baking.
Whole wheat bread: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Sweet bread: Add 2-3 tbsp of sugar and mix in raisins or cinnamon for a sweet twist.

Conclusion
This Easy Homemade Bread is the perfect recipe for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. It’s simple, delicious, and totally customizable—a great way to enjoy fresh bread without the hassle.
Give it a try and let me know how it turned out for you in the comments! Did you add any twists? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Easy Homemade Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour 360g
- 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups warm water 300ml
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add the warm water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and smooth the top. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!