10+ Bread Recipes to Try at Home for Delicious, Easy Baking

Bread recipes bring that unbeatable smell of fresh bread right into your kitchen. Whether you’re after soft sandwich slices or a rustic artisan loaf, baking at home puts you in charge of the ingredients and the vibe.

You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff or expert skills to start baking bread.

Trying out different bread recipes is actually pretty fun. You can go for easy, beginner-friendly recipes or push yourself with something a bit more involved.

Baking bread often becomes a cozy routine. There’s just something about a house that smells like fresh bread.

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Water
• Yeast
• Salt
• Sugar
• Oil or butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a big bowl.
2. Add water and oil or butter if you want, then stir until it turns into dough.
3. Knead the dough until it feels smooth—takes about 8-10 minutes.
4. Let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, usually 1-2 hours.
5. Shape your dough and set it in a greased pan or on a baking sheet.
6. Let it rise again for another 30-60 minutes.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s golden brown.
8. Pull it out and let it cool before slicing.

1) Classic White Bread

Classic white bread is about as comforting as it gets. It’s got a pillowy inside and a crust that’s just crunchy enough.

This bread uses ingredients you probably already have. It’s easy to make, and you can swap in butter or oil for lard if you want.

You’ll get two loaves, so there’s plenty to share or stash in the freezer.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lard, butter, or vegetable oil
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water (110°F/43°C). Let it sit for 10 minutes.
2. Add salt, fat, and 4 cups flour. Stir it up.
3. Slowly add the rest of the flour until the dough feels soft.
4. Knead for 8-10 minutes on a floured surface.
5. Drop the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled—about an hour.
6. Punch the dough down, split it in half, shape each into a loaf, and put in greased pans.
7. Let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
8. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes or until golden.
9. Let it cool before you slice.

Try this classic bread for homemade meals! For more, see this Traditional White Bread Recipe.

2) No-Knead Artisan Loaf

You don’t have to knead to get a tasty artisan loaf. The dough’s super sticky, but don’t worry—that’s how it’s supposed to be.

Just let it rest for hours and it’ll rise on its own. This bread comes out with a crunchy crust and a soft, chewy middle.

You only need a bowl, a spoon, and an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven. No fancy gadgets.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a big bowl.
2. Add warm water and stir—dough will be sticky, that’s fine.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temp for 12 to 18 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside.
5. Gently shape the dough and drop it into the hot Dutch oven.
6. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 15 more.
7. Cool it down before slicing.

For more details, see this No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe.

3) Amish White Bread

Amish White Bread is soft, a little sweet, and honestly super easy to make. It’s perfect for sandwiches or toast.

You’ll use warm water to get the yeast going. When you see bubbles, you know it’s ready.

The dough’s got sugar, oil, and salt for flavor. It bakes up with a soft crust and slices nicely.

You’ll end up with two loaves—plenty to share or freeze.

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110-120°F / 43-49°C)
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 1½ tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Stir water, sugar, and yeast together. Wait 5-10 minutes for bubbles.
2. Mix in salt, oil, and 4 cups flour; beat for 3 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the flour, knead until the dough is smooth.
4. Let it rise in a greased bowl for about an hour.
5. Punch down, split into two loaves.
6. Let rise another 30 minutes.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes or until golden.

4) Quick Banana Bread

Banana bread doesn’t have to take all day. If you’ve got ripe bananas, you’re halfway there.

This recipe only needs one bowl, so cleanup’s a breeze. Mix your dry stuff, toss in the mashed bananas and wet ingredients, and you’re good.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the top’s golden and a toothpick comes out clean. The smell alone is worth it.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 beaten egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix bananas and melted butter.
3. Add sugar, egg, baking soda, and salt. Stir it up.
4. Gently fold in the flour.
5. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean.

5) Peasant Herb and Parmesan Bread

This bread is simple but packed with flavor. You’ll mix up flour and yeast with herbs and Parmesan, and that’s pretty much it.

The dough’s easy to handle. Once mixed, just let it rise until doubled, then shape it into a rustic round.

Baked, it’s crusty outside and soft inside. The herbs and cheese add a savory kick that’s not too much.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp mixed dried herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or oregano)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Wait 5 minutes.
2. Mix flour, salt, Parmesan, and herbs in another bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry mix. Stir until it comes together.
4. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes.
5. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for about an hour.
6. Shape into a round loaf, set on a baking sheet.
7. Let it rise again for 30 minutes.
8. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden.
9. Let it cool before slicing.

6) Soft Pretzels

Soft pretzels are a classic snack you can totally pull off at home. They’re chewy outside, soft inside, and the baking soda bath gives them that signature taste.

You don’t need a ton of time—just a short rest for the dough before shaping. Makes the whole process less intimidating.

Top them with salt, cheese, or whatever you like. They’re awesome for snacks or even sandwiches (if you’re feeling wild).

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 10 cups water (for baking soda bath)
• ⅔ cup baking soda
• Coarse salt for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Wait 5 minutes for bubbles.
2. Add flour and salt, knead into dough. Rest for 10 minutes.
3. Divide, roll into ropes, and twist into pretzels.
4. Boil water and baking soda in a big pot.
5. Dip each pretzel in the bath for 30 seconds.
6. Set on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt.
7. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes until golden.

7) Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Whole wheat sandwich bread is a solid pick if you want something a little healthier. It’s got a nutty flavor and a soft, sturdy texture—great for sandwiches.

You’ll use 100% whole wheat flour, yeast, honey, milk, and water. The dough takes a little time to rise, but nothing too crazy.

Baking your own bread means you skip the preservatives. Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing.

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• 1 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix warm water, yeast, and honey. Wait 5–10 minutes until it gets foamy.

2. Stir in milk, oil, and salt.

3. Gradually add flour, mixing as you go, until a dough forms.

4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes.

5. Put the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it up and let it rise for about an hour, until it doubles in size.

6. Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and set it in a greased pan.

7. Let the loaf rise again for 30 minutes.

8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes. The top should turn golden brown.

9. Let it cool before slicing—if you can wait that long.

You can find more details on making this bread at an easy whole wheat sandwich bread tutorial.

8) Overnight No-Knead Bread

Overnight no-knead bread is the answer when you want fresh bread without a lot of work. You just mix the ingredients, let the dough rise at room temperature overnight, and bake it the next day.

No kneading here—just mix and wait. The slow rise brings out a deep, almost nutty flavor, and the crust turns out crisp and golden.

All you need are a few basic ingredients. The best part? The smell of bread baking in the morning is hard to beat.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine flour, yeast, salt, and water in a large bowl. Stir until everything comes together.

2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Leave it out at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.

3. Heat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven inside to preheat.

4. Shape the dough into a ball and set it on parchment paper.

5. Using oven mitts (trust me, it’s hot), place the dough and parchment into the Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

6. Take off the lid and bake for another 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crackly.

7. Cool the bread on a rack before slicing.

Want more tips? Check out this overnight no-knead bread recipe.

9) Tangzhong Milk Bread

Tangzhong milk bread starts with a paste made from flour and milk cooked together. This tangzhong makes the bread super soft and helps it stay fresh longer.

Mix the roux into your dough and you’ll get a tender, pillowy crumb. The bread turns out light, with a touch of sweetness—great for toast or sandwiches.

This style is big in Japan, where they call it Hokkaido milk bread. The secret is in the water-to-flour ratio of the tangzhong, which keeps things moist and airy.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk milk and flour together in a pot over medium heat to make the tangzhong. Stir until it thickens, then let it cool.

2. In a bowl, mix bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.

3. Add the cooled tangzhong, cream, and egg. Knead until a dough forms.

4. Add the butter and knead until the dough turns smooth and elastic.

5. Let the dough rise for about an hour, or until it doubles.

6. Shape the dough and place it in a loaf pan.

7. Let it rise for another 30 minutes, until it’s puffed up.

8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes, until golden on top.

9. Cool the bread before slicing—though it’s tempting to cut in right away.

10) Quick Dinner Rolls

If you need soft, fluffy dinner rolls in a hurry, these are your go-to. You can skip the long rise—just mix, let the dough rest briefly, and bake. Fresh rolls in about half an hour? Yes, please.

These rolls come out buttery and light, right for any meal. Simple ingredients mean you can mix by hand or use a mixer, whatever works for you.

They’re perfect for weeknights or holidays when you want homemade bread but don’t have all day.

Check out a recipe for quick dinner rolls with easy steps and common ingredients at Spend With Pennies.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons instant yeast
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 large egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour warm milk into a bowl, then sprinkle in the yeast and sugar.

2. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.

3. Add the melted butter, crack in the egg, toss in the salt, and stir in the flour.

4. Knead the dough by hand until it feels smooth. This usually takes around 5 minutes, give or take.

5. Cover the dough and let it rise for 15 minutes.

6. Shape the dough into rolls. Place each roll onto a baking sheet.

7. Let the rolls rise again for another 10 minutes.

8. Bake them at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they’re golden on top.