This whole wheat bread recipe creates a soft, lofty loaf with a rich, nutty flavor. With just six simple ingredients, it produces a tender crumb and beautifully soft texture perfect for toast and sandwiches!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
This is a brief summary of the recipe. Jump to the recipe to get the full details.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Proof Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time
2 hours 25 minutes
Servings
10 slices
Difficulty
Easy, great for everyday baking.
Calories *
162 kcal per serving
Technique
Bloom yeast, mix, knead until elastic, proof twice, then bake.
Flavor Profile
Lightly nutty taste, soft interior with a delicate crisp crust.
* Based on nutrition panel
I was nervous about using 100% whole wheat flour, but this turned out so soft! Letting it rise the full time like you suggested made all the difference. We used it for toast the next morning and it was perfect.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lauren
Why You Will Love This
- Soft and fluffy. This loaf stays tender while still using 100% whole wheat flour.
- No bread machine required. Just bowls, your hands, and a loaf pan.
- Only 6 ingredients. Simple pantry staples, just like my brioche buns and whole wheat biscuits.
- Versatile for any meal. Toast it for breakfast, make sandwiches for lunch, or turn it into crunchy French toast. It easily outshines most store-bought loaves in both texture and flavor!
Table of Contents
I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a dependable whole wheat bread recipe in their back pocket. Just like my multigrain bread recipe or whole wheat sourdough bread, this loaf is hearty without being heavy. It slices beautifully and doesn’t crumble when you spread peanut butter or jam.
If you love baking bread at home, you might also enjoy my french bread, classic italian bread, or even something sweeter like chocolate chip banana bread and chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Can I use only whole wheat flour to make bread? Yes! I prefer 100% whole wheat flour for a true whole grain loaf. It gives structure and that subtle nutty flavor. If you prefer, you can use a combination of whole wheat and bread flour for a lighter crumb. Avoid adding too much flour during kneading, or the loaf may become dense.
- Warm water: Keep it between 105°F and 115°F. Too hot will kill the yeast; too cool and it won’t activate properly.
- Honey: Adds just enough sweetness without making the bread sweet. Maple syrup works well, too.
- Olive oil: Keeps the crumb soft and moist. Melted butter can be substituted if you prefer. But, because this recipe contains no egg and is naturally whole wheat bread dairy-free when made with olive oil.
- Active dry yeast: Make sure it’s fresh and not expired. Proper blooming ensures a good rise. You may substitute instant yeast; simply mix it directly into the flour without blooming.
- Kosher salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations for This Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
- Add some crunch: Stir in sunflower seeds or flax seeds for texture.
- Add herbs: Rosemary or thyme give it a savory twist similar to my potato bread.
- Add sweetness: Mix in raisins for a version reminiscent of cinnamon raisin sourdough bread.
Professional Tips
- Use properly warmed water. I always check that my water is between 105–115°F. Too hot will kill the yeast instantly; too cool and it will struggle to activate. If your yeast doesn’t foam in 5 minutes, start over.
- Knead until smooth, not rough. Whole wheat dough can look slightly textured, but it shouldn’t look torn or shaggy after kneading. After 8–10 minutes, it should feel elastic and spring back when gently pressed.
- Do not rush the first rise. Proper dough rise develops structure and flavor. If your kitchen is cool, you can let the dough rise inside the microwave (turned off) or near a warm oven.
- Cool completely before slicing. I know it’s tempting. But slicing too early compresses the crumb and makes it gummy. Let it cool fully on a wire rack for clean slices.
How to Make Whole Wheat Bread
Use these instructions to make the perfect whole wheat bread recipe every time! Further details and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Bloom the yeast. In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine warm water and honey. Stir with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let sit for 5 minutes, until foamy (photo 1).
Step 2: Add the oil. Stir olive oil into the yeast mixture until combined.
Step 3: Mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour and salt (photo 2).
Step 4: Form the dough. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Step 5: Knead until elastic. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should feel soft but not sticky (photo 3).
You may knead by hand or use a dough hook attachment on medium speed. Whole wheat dough may feel a little sticky at first. Resist adding excess flour!
Step 6: First rise. Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size (photo 4).
You can create a warm environment by briefly warming your microwave, turning it off, and letting the dough rise inside.
Step 7: Shape the loaf. Punch down the dough to release air. Shape the bread dough into a tight, structured loaf on a lightly floured surface.
My brioche loaf post has detailed loaf shaping instructions to help you out!
Step 8: Second rise. Place in a greased 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until it rises just above the rim of the pan (photo 5).
Alternatively, bake in a preheated pot or hot Dutch oven lined with parchment paper for extra crust development.
Step 9: Preheat the oven. Preheat to 375°F (190°C).
Step 10: Bake until golden. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 11: Cool completely. Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Let cool fully before slicing for clean slices (photo 6).
Recipe FAQs
Whole wheat bread can be more challenging because bran particles interfere with gluten development. Common causes of dense or poorly risen whole wheat bread include: under-kneading, under-proofing, old yeast, and water that is too hot or too cold.
Whole wheat flour absorbs more water and requires stronger gluten development. Knead until elastic and let it fully double before shaping.
Whole wheat bread is typically higher in fiber, vitamins, and minerals because it contains the entire wheat kernel (bran, germ, and endosperm). White bread is made from refined flour, which removes the bran and germ. This lowers fiber content and some micronutrients.
Store at room temperature up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze. It tastes wonderful the next day after the crumb fully sets.
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If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below! I love hearing from you and your comments make my day!
Whole Wheat Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons honey, or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or melted butter
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir warm water (105–115°F) and honey until dissolved. Sprinkle yeast over the surface and let sit for 5 minutes, until foamy. If the yeast does not foam, discard and restart with fresh yeast.
- Stir olive oil into the yeast mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. It should spring back slowly when pressed.
- Shape dough into a ball and place into a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm (75–85°F) draft-free place for 1 to 1½ hours, until doubled in size.
- Gently punch down to release excess gas. Shape tightly into a loaf and place into a greased 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until the dough crowns slightly above the rim of the pan.
- Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes, until deeply golden brown. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped and register 190–200°F internally.
- Cool in the pan 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely (at least 1 hour) before slicing to prevent gumminess.
Notes
- Yeast Activation: Water hotter than 115°F can kill yeast. Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Proper Development: Whole wheat flour requires full kneading to avoid a dense crumb. Do not shorten kneading time.
- Storage: Store airtight at room temperature up to 4 days. Freeze tightly wrapped up to 2 months.
- Texture Tip: Slicing while warm compresses the crumb. Allow full cooling before cutting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!Before You Go
I hope you enjoyed this soft, hearty homemade loaf. Be sure to check out our other delicious bread recipes for more baking inspiration!
Truly a blessing to have this recipe I have never made 100 percent whole wheat bread always mix with white flour.
Here I am with full a whole wheat bread with a magnificent taste and softness. I can slice and freeze and enjoy my toasted bread each morning
Ps. I added a bit of nutmeg to my floor. I am a nutmeg lover
Thank you for bringing me on this journey. I love it.
Hi Leslynne! Thank you so much, that means a lot! I love that you’re enjoying it toasted too. And nutmeg sounds like a delicious addition, I’m a fan as well! ~gvd team
Incredible bread loaf recipe!!! This was the first time baking this particular recipe and it’s soo good!!! I made toast the next day and my house is still nibbling on the bread! ?
Thank you so much for sharing your success, Moema! I make this bread all the time IRL so I totally get the nibbling on it constantly! I actually keep it sliced and frozen in my freezer for easy breakfast or snack toasts or sandwiches! ~Lindsey
I was nervous about using 100% whole wheat flour, but this turned out so soft! Letting it rise the full time like you suggested made all the difference. We used it for toast the next morning and it was perfect.
Can I mix the dough in my stand up mixer and knead the dough with the mixer dough hook for the kneading process? If so, how long would I knead the dough with the mixer?
Thank you!
Hi Mary! Yes, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook! In a mixer, gluten develops faster, so knead on low-medium speed about 6–7 minutes, until smooth and stretchy and it springs back lightly when pressed. Happy baking! ~gvd team
Can roasted seeds be added to this loaf?
Marti
Hi Marty! Yes! You can fold roasted seeds in when the dough first comes together (after mixing the wet and dry ingredients). I’d keep it to about ¼–½ cup total so they don’t weigh the loaf down. Happy baking! ~gvd team
Your recipe isn’t worth a damn without amounts of ingredients
Hi Kate, the ingredient amounts are all listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Happy baking! ~gvd team
Can I bake this a cast-iron Dutch oven instead of a bread pan?in
Hi Marge! Yes, you can! We actually use this same technique for this whole wheat sourdough bread, sourdough bread recipe for beginners, and even this peasant bread, all of which bake beautifully in a Dutch oven. Just preheat your cast-iron pot as noted, shape the dough into a round instead of a loaf, bake it covered for about 25–30 minutes, then uncover for 10–15 more to brown. Happy baking! ~gvd team
What a great whole wheat sandwich bread recipe. I used molasses and butter in the bread, and the flavor was great. This bread is excellent for sandwiches and healthier French toast.
Lifelong breadmaker and I must say this is the an best tasting whole wheat bread recipe!!!
I think it is because it has a double rise, which I know some recipes do not for the sake of convenience. But now that I know that I just plan ahead. This bread is totally worth it!
It slices nicely, does not crumble, and is moist and soft.
I did decrease the kosher salt to1 teaspoon. This is my second time to make it and it is now
my go to recipe. Many thanks!!!
Hi Liz! I love that you’ve made this your go-to recipe (and great call on adjusting the salt to your taste). Happy baking, and thanks for taking the time to comment! ~gvd team
This is a perfect 100% whole wheat bread recipe! I’m absolutely amazed at the results, as I have been making bread for a long time, but never satisfied with the whole wheat recipes in the past. They usually turn out like little bowling balls! Thick and heavy, with a lot of time for rising that rarely happens.
Your bread recipe worked beautifully for me, thank you. I followed the recipe exactly but with one difference. I baked it in a cast iron Dutch Oven with a lid, the same way I usually bake mixed flour breads. It is so soft and usable. I love it!
Hi Rob, That is wonderful to hear!! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back to comment and rate the recipe! I love your idea of baking it in a Dutch Oven with a lid! I am going to give that a try. Did you shape it into a boule (round) or did you still shape it into a loaf and just not put it in a loaf pan? ~Lindsey
Hi Lindsey, So glad that you might try my Dutch Oven technique. I shaped the dough into a boule. That’s just a satisfying shape for me. I’m making this recipe again today and this time will try the Dutch Oven without a lid to see if the crust gets a little harder, but the inside remains soft. It’s nice to have a down pat recipe to experiment with! Do you have any recipes for whole wheat biscuits or bagels?
Hi Rob! That was what I assumed you did, but I just wanted to check. I am going to give that a go! Let me know how removing the lid affects the crust. There is olive oil and honey in it, so I would assume it would soften even if it was crusty when it is hot out of the oven. My first pregnancy I was obsessed with biscuits so I have a whole wheat drop biscuit recipe that I can email you. I haven’t taken the time to make a whole wheat flaky biscuit. Same with bagels. I LOVE bagels and so does my family. I actually have just developed a cinnamon raisin and a sourdough discard bagel recipe, but I didn’t have whole wheat on my list. I do not! You can always try substituting 50% of the AP flour for whole wheat in my everything bagel recipe but bagels have such a low hydration that I would worry you would still need more water. ~Lindsey