10+ Easy Bread Recipes for Beginners to Bake Delicious Homemade Loaves

Baking bread at home might seem intimidating, but honestly, it’s not as tough as it looks. There are plenty of easy bread recipes out there, even if you’re just starting out.

You can whip up fresh, tasty bread with just a handful of ingredients and minimal fuss.

Let’s dive into your bread-making journey with some simple recipes. Anyone can try these, and you’ll get to enjoy bread that’s both delicious and satisfying to make.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Water
• Yeast
• Salt
• Sugar
• Oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water.

2. Stir until a dough forms.

3. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour.

4. Shape the dough into a loaf.

5. Let it rise again for 30 minutes.

6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

7. Cool before slicing.

1) No-Knead Artisan Bread

No-knead artisan bread is an easy way to make fresh bread with barely any effort. Just mix flour, salt, yeast, and water.

The dough’s going to look wet and sticky—don’t worry, that’s how it should be. After mixing, let the dough rest for several hours or overnight.

This slow rise brings out the flavor, and you don’t have to knead a thing. Bake it in a hot Dutch oven or even a covered pot for that crackly crust.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.

2. Add warm water and stir until combined.

3. Cover and let the dough rest for 12-18 hours.

4. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside.

5. Carefully place dough in the hot pot, cover, and bake 30 minutes.

6. Remove the lid and bake 15 more minutes for a crusty top.

Check out the no-knead recipe in detail at The Clever Carrot.

2) Classic White Sandwich Bread

If you’re new to bread baking, classic white sandwich bread is a solid place to start. It’s soft, fluffy, and just right for toast or a sandwich.

You only need a few ingredients and a little patience. The dough is easy to mix and you can knead it by hand or with a mixer.

After rising, shape it into a loaf and bake until it’s golden brown. The smell of fresh bread? Nothing really beats it.

Grab a simple recipe with steps and tips here: easy white sandwich bread recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Add flour, salt, butter, and milk. Stir to form dough.

3. Knead dough on floured surface for 8-10 minutes.

4. Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and rise 1-1.5 hours until doubled.

5. Punch down dough, shape into loaf, and place in greased pan.

6. Cover and rise 30-45 minutes.

7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

8. Cool before slicing.

3) Easy 3-Ingredient Italian Bread

This Italian bread recipe needs just three ingredients and is ideal if you’re just dipping your toes into bread baking. No kneading required, so it’s less mess and less hassle.

You’ll get a crispy crust and a soft, chewy middle. Mix flour, yeast, salt, and warm water, then let the dough rest for a few hours.

Bake it in a hot oven until it’s golden brown. Seriously, it’s that easy.

Try it for sandwiches or just dip it in olive oil. There’s a detailed guide for this no-knead bread here.

Ingredients

• 3 ¼ cups (400g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.

2. Add warm water and stir until combined.

3. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 8-18 hours at room temperature.

4. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

5. Place dough on a floured surface and shape it gently.

6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until crust is golden brown.

7. Let cool before slicing.

4) Simple Homemade Pita Bread

Pita bread at home? Way easier than you’d expect. You just need a few basics and a little time for the dough to rise.

The bread puffs up in the oven, making pockets for sandwiches or dips. No kneading or tricky shaping here.

You can have warm pita bread in under an hour. It’s a nice way to skip store-bought and go fresh.

Use pita as a wrap, for scooping up hummus, or even as a quick pizza base. Once you try it, store-bought pita might not cut it anymore.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup warm water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in a bowl.

2. Add warm water and stir until combined.

3. Cover dough and let it rise for 30 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).

5. Divide dough into 6 balls and roll each flat.

6. Bake for 4-5 minutes until puffy and lightly browned.

7. Cool slightly before serving.

5) Basic No-Knead Crusty Loaf

Here’s a no-knead bread that’s as easy as it gets. Just mix the ingredients, let the dough rest, and bake it hot.

You don’t need fancy gear or skills. Give the dough a long rise—12 to 18 hours is best—and bake it in a heavy pot or Dutch oven.

The crust turns golden and crunchy. The inside? Soft and airy.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (450g) all-purpose or bread flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1⅓ cups (320ml) warm water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water in a large bowl until combined.

2. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 12-18 hours at room temperature.

3. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside.

4. Carefully place dough into the hot Dutch oven.

5. Cover and bake 30 minutes.

6. Remove lid and bake 10-15 more minutes until crust is golden.

7. Cool before slicing.

This one’s based on the World’s Easiest Yeast Bread recipe.

6) Quick Yeast Bread with Olive Oil

If you’re craving fresh bread but don’t want to wait all day, this quick yeast bread is the answer. Olive oil gives it a rich flavor and keeps it soft.

Mix warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil. Add flour until the dough’s soft but not sticky.

After a short rise, shape and bake the dough. Even beginners can handle this one.

Warm water should be about 110°F (43°C) for best results.

Ingredients

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
• ¼ cup olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil in a bowl.

2. Stir in flour until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead dough for 5-7 minutes on a floured surface.

4. Let dough rise for 30-45 minutes until it doubles in size.

5. Shape dough into a loaf and place on a baking sheet.

6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

7) Fluffy Dinner Rolls

If you want soft, light bread that basically melts in your mouth, go for fluffy dinner rolls. They’re simple enough for any beginner.

You’ll only need a few basics. The rolls rise quickly and turn out with a tender crumb and a slightly buttery crust.

They’re great for sandwiches or as a side with soup or salad. Most recipes don’t take too long, either.

Making these is actually pretty fun. Fresh dinner rolls always impress.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes.

2. Add melted butter, salt, egg, and 2 cups flour. Mix well.

3. Gradually add remaining flour until dough is soft but not sticky.

4. Knead dough on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes.

5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.

6. Punch dough down and shape into rolls on a baking sheet.

7. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

8. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.

8) Basic Soda Bread

If you want an easy bread that skips yeast, soda bread is your friend. Just mix flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

It comes together fast and doesn’t need any rising time. Bake it in about 45 minutes.

You’ll get a crusty outside and a soft center. Perfect for beginners—no kneading, no fuss.

Just stir the wet and dry ingredients, shape the dough, and bake.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Toss the flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.

3. Pour in the buttermilk and stir everything together.

4. Shape the dough into a rough round loaf.

5. Move it onto a baking sheet and cut an X on top.

6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust looks golden and the loaf sounds hollow when you tap it.

9) Beginner-Friendly Focaccia

Focaccia is one of those breads that’s so forgiving, you almost can’t mess it up. The dough comes together easily, and if you pick the right recipe, you don’t even have to knead it.

Honestly, that’s a huge relief for beginners. You can toss in rosemary or garlic for extra flavor, or keep it plain if that’s your thing.

Letting the dough rise slowly—overnight in the fridge works wonders—gives you that pillowy inside and crisp crust everyone loves. And don’t rush it; patience really pays off here.

It’s awesome as a snack, or just set it out with dinner and watch it disappear. All you really need are basic pantry staples, decent olive oil, and a bit of time.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the warm water and yeast, then let it sit for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in the flour, salt, and olive oil until you have a sticky dough.

3. Cover the bowl and stick it in the fridge overnight.

4. When you’re ready, heat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

5. Spread the dough out on an oiled baking sheet.

6. Drizzle with more olive oil, and scatter rosemary and garlic on top if you like.

7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until it’s golden and smells amazing.

10) Simple Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread doesn’t have to be intimidating. This recipe keeps things super simple, and you won’t need to knead a thing.

Just mix up everything in one bowl, and it comes together fast. After a quick rise, pop it in the oven until the crust is nicely golden.

Inside, it’s soft but still hearty—great for sandwiches or just slathering with butter. I mean, who doesn’t love fresh bread with minimal effort?

You can check out more tips for easy whole wheat bread at Loving It Vegan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a large bowl and toss in the flour, salt, and yeast.

2. Pour in the warm water and olive oil. Stir everything together until it looks combined—don’t stress if it’s a bit messy.

3. Cover the bowl. Let the dough hang out for about 1 to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

4. Crank your oven up to 375°F (190°C).

5. Grease a loaf pan, then pour in the dough.

6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You want it golden brown on top.

7. Let the bread cool down before you slice it—trust me, it’s worth the wait.