whole wheat baguettes

If you’ve ever wanted whole wheat baguettes in your life, I am here for you! This easy recipe makes four loaves of healthier fresh-baked bread in French baguette form. It has all of the flavor and texture of a classic baguette with the nutritional benefits of whole wheat flour.

Mastering the art of making baguettes at home, in my experience, is really no art form at all — it’s actually very similar to making a sandwich bread or a free-form loaf, but instead you shape the dough into a torpedo. And somehow it tastes just that much better that way.

And making whole wheat baguettes at home, in my experience, is very similar to baking regular baguettes — but with whole wheat flour.

Whole Wheat Baguettes

I baked these last week with a Snowstorm of Doom in the day’s forecast. It was cloudy and snowing (and snowing, and snowing), I was housebound, my dinner date for burgers with friends was cancelled — you know how it goes. Baking bread — specifically, baguettes — was the only thing that could calm me down (I was really bummed about not getting a burger).

red start platinum yeast

After all these years of baking bread, I’ve found myself getting into a rhythm that begins the minute I pull out the bowls, the stand mixer, the yeast, the flour. It’s like my brain shuts off and my muscle memory scoops, measures, kneads, waits, shapes and bakes. It’s like that feeling you get when you do yoga: you let your mind focus on nothing but the stretch in your body as you breathe out the tension. Or when you play an instrument: to get the notes right, sometimes you just have to play — stop thinking about what you’re doing, and just play.

I find so much enjoyment in those moments — especially the ones that result in delicious, fresh-baked baguettes.

How to Make Whole Wheat Baguettes

The trick to making whole wheat baguettes is getting the dough just the right stiffness and softness. I know that sounds ridiculous, to have something be both at the same time, but such is the frustration — and joy — of bread. It’s more of a feeling than anything else. Because whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, you have to make sure the dough doesn’t dry out too much — at the same time, it can’t be too wet, or the baguettes will never hold their shape. I find with this recipe, I don’t need to add any more water, but I do add up to a half-cup of extra flour to the dough as I knead it.

Whole Wheat Baguettes Recipe -- A simple and delicious recipe for fresh-baked whole wheat baguettes. Perfect for sandwiches, appetizer platters, snacks and more. www.girlversusdough.com @girlversusdough #girlversusdough #wholewheatbread #breadrecipe

This photo does a decent job of showing you what the dough should look like when it’s too soft (left, above) and when it’s just right (right, above).

The Best Yeast for Whole Wheat Baguettes

You know what else I love about this recipe? Using Red Star PLATINUM yeast. I truly mean it when I say it’s the best performing instant yeast I’ve used. I always end up with well-risen, domed loaves when I put it in my bread recipes. So I highly suggest when you make these baguettes, use the PLATINUM yeast. Bonus: It rises faster than regular yeast, which means baguette-eating time comes sooner.

whole wheat baguette dough

Even with another snow day, I can’t be mad at that.

P.S. For more whole wheat goodness, check out these fine recipes:

Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chunk Fig Bread
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

slice of whole wheat baguette with butter spread on top

5 from 5 votes

Whole Wheat Baguettes

Fresh-baked whole wheat baguettes.r. Make them for sandwiches, appetizer plates and more.
Servings: 4 small loaves
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Proof Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine whole wheat flour, brown sugar and yeast. Add water; stir to combine. Add all-purpose flour and salt; stir to combine.
  • Knead dough on a well-floured surface 10 minutes, adding more all-purpose flour as needed until dough is smooth and slightly sticky, but holds its shape. OR, if using a stand mixer, replace paddle attachment with dough hook; knead dough 5 minutes on medium speed, adding more all-purpose flour as needed until dough is smooth and slightly sticky, but holds its shape.
  • Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased large bowl; turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place 1 hour until doubled.
  • Punch down risen dough; divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece carefully into a thin log, about 12 inches long. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. Place loaves a few inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife to cut three 1/2-inch deep slashes on top of each loaf. Cover dough with a tea towel or plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let rise 30 minutes until nearly doubled in size.
  • Heat oven to 375°F. Bake loaves 30 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal, Carbohydrates: 83g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Sodium: 1172mg, Potassium: 353mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Disclosure: I received compensation from Red Star Yeast for recipe development purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Stephanie Wise

Stephanie Wise is the founder and creator of Girl Versus Dough. She started sharing her bread baking adventures and recipes in 2009. Her love of bread only deepened as her skills and knowledge expanded. What began as a place to try others recipes quickly became a collection of her own creations!

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87 Comments

  1. Erika says:

    This is just perfection.. There is nothing like the smell of bread baking..

  2. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says:

    These baguettes look sensational. All I need is two loaves and some butter and all is good in the world!

  3. Kelsey says:

    This cold weather has made me want to eat warm baguettes with butter all day every day. These will help me feel less guilty, since they’re whole wheat. Let’s not overthink whether or not that’s reasonable… Thanks for the recipe!

  4. Belinda@themoonblushbaker says:

    Loving it! I am yet to try baguettes! I have try this on the weekend. Thanks for your experience, you have helped me so much.

  5. Stephanie says:

    Tieghan — Thanks, lovely!

  6. Stephanie says:

    Steph — They need to make a candle already that smells just like that, don’t you think? Thanks, dear 🙂

  7. Stephanie says:

    Julia — All the snow is over here. In my front yard. 😉

  8. Stephanie says:

    Ali — Yay! Do it!

  9. Stephanie says:

    Jennie — So true. Thanks so much for pinning!

  10. Stephanie says:

    Taylor — Um, yes! Any time. 🙂