How Healthy Is Homemade Bread? {Easy Recipe Included} (2024)

In recent months, bakinghomemade breadhas become a popular hobby. It’s no surprise either – it’s easy, it’s fun, and you can experiment with recipes to find the perfect loaf for you.

Homemade bread can also be a healthy alternative to store-bought bread as you can control the ingredients that go into the recipe and even find alternatives to help reduce sugar and trans fat.

Come on, there is nothing like a slice of fresh and warm homemade bread – especially when you’re the one who made it!

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This easy homemade bread recipe uses basic ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantries, and can even be made without a breaker maker.

Table of Contents

What Are The Basic Ingredients Of Bread?

To make a simple loaf of bread at home, all you are warm water, granulated sugar, instant or active dry yeast, Maldon sea salt, and vegetable oil (you can also substitute canola oil for a healthier alternative) flour.

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In the recipe I’ll be sharing today, I’ve opted to keep the sugar out!

However, these are just the basics, and there are dozens of ways to experiment with a basic bread recipe.

Take focaccia bread, for example, which spices up these six ingredients by using a different type of oil and adding in herbs.

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Is It Really Cheaper To Make Your Own Bread?

Telling whether or not homemade bread is cheaper than store-bought involves crunching some numbers. As of 2020, the average price for a loaf of bread was about $2.

Healthier versions or gluten-free versions can cost even more—however, some costing as much as $5.

For homemade bread, here’s an estimate for the price of each ingredient: You can buy 8 pounds of granulated sugar for about $5, 8 ounces of yeast for about $10, salt for a dollar in some places, vegetable oil for about $2, and finally 10 pounds of all-purpose flour for around $6.

While these numbers may seem steep, keep in mind that you’ll only need a mere fraction of each of these ingredients to make a loaf of bread, meaning a one-time purchase can make dozens of loaves in the long-run.

Buying the ingredients also allows you to make the bread as you need it, reducing the amount of food wasted.

How Long Will Homemade Bread Last?

Homemade bread lacks the preservatives store-bought bread has, meaning it won’t last as long. At room temperature, such as on the counter or in a bread pantry, homemade bread will last around three to four days.

You can refrigerate it to extend that lifetime by three to five days, however, for a total of up to nine days.

If you’re looking to make your bread last even longer, freezing it is your best option.

Homemade Artisan Bread

The recipe below has become a staple in our household and will make two loaves.

Making homemade bread has become such a popular pastime because of how easy it is and how few ingredients are needed. Feel free to add herbs and experiment for yourself!

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Warm water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Yeast
  • 1 3/4 tbsp Non-iodized salt
  • 6 1/2 cups Bread flour
  • 1 dash Maldon sea salt flakes

Instructions

  • Heat the water to about 100-110 degrees.

  • Pour the lukewarm water into a bowl and add yeast and salt. Mix well.

  • Slowly add in the bread flour and mix in a mixer with a dough hook for about two minutes. If you do not have a mixer mixing with a wooden spoon will work. The mixture will be a bit wet.

  • Next, cover the bowl loosely with a clean towel. Allow the dough to rise for at least two hours.

  • At this point, I cut the dough in half to make two loaves.

  • How To Bake Your Home Bread

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

  • Sprinkle the dough with flour and begin shaping in desired shape.

  • Place on a heavy cookie sheet or baking stone.

  • Using a serrated knife slash the dough to allow the bread to expland during the baking process. The depth of your scoring should be about 1/3 and should follow a tik tac toe pattern.

  • Most times, I sprinkle sea salt flakes to add a bit more flavor to the top of bread.

  • The bread photographed shows half of the recipe, and I also sprinkled everything bagel seasonings to flavor the bread.

  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Is Homemade Bread Healthier?

There’s no easy answer to this question, as it depends on a lot of factors, such as the ingredients used in the bread recipe, how the bread is made (with a machine or by hand), and how it’s stored.

That said, most homemade breads are likely healthier than store-bought breads, which are often high in sugar and preservatives.

One benefit of making your own bread is that you can control the ingredients. For example, you can use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, or add healthy toppings like nuts and seeds.

Another benefit is that homemade bread doesn’t contain any chemicals or artificial additives. It’s also generally lower in calories than store-bought bread.

Plus, making your own bread is a great way to save money. You can buy quality ingredients for a fraction of the price of store-bought bread.

So not only is homemade bread healthier, but it’s also more affordable!

Homemade Bread Vs Store Bought

There are a few reasons why store-bought bread is often considered inferior to homemade bread. The first reason is that most store-bought breads are made with high-fructose corn syrup, food dyes, and other unhealthy ingredients. The second reason is that most store-bought breads are loaded with preservatives, which can make you gain weight and increase your risk of cancer.

The third reason is that homemade bread tastes better than store-bought bread.

Freshly baked bread has a delicious flavor and a soft, chewy texture that you just can’t find in store-bought bread. Finally, making your own bread is much cheaper than buying store-bought bread.

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How Healthy Is Homemade Bread? {Easy Recipe Included} (2024)

FAQs

Is homemade bread really healthier? ›

That said, most homemade breads are likely healthier than store-bought breads, which are often high in sugar and preservatives. One benefit of making your own bread is that you can control the ingredients. For example, you can use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, or add healthy toppings like nuts and seeds.

Is homemade bread considered processed food? ›

In the middle of the spectrum, there are processed foods that have a few added ingredients but still resemble whole food ingredients in some way. Canned vegetables, freshly baked bread and pasteurized milk are processed foods.

Is bread made in a bread maker healthy? ›

Unlike many store packaged breads that contain unexpected chemicals or preservatives, a bread machine allows you to create healthier breads because you know exactly what you are putting into your homemade bread.

Can I eat homemade bread everyday? ›

Unless you have a medical condition such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there is no need for you to avoid bread! In fact, bread can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet every day – yes that is correct, every day!

Does homemade bread have lots of carbs? ›

White bread, homemade or bakery (1 medium slice - 4 1/4" x 3" x 3/4") contains 20.8g total carbs, 19.6g net carbs, 1.4g fat, 3.7g protein, and 112 calories.

Is it cheaper to buy bread or make it in a bread machine? ›

Making bread from a machine is marginally cheaper than buying it, as long as you eat bread frequently enough to offset the cost of the appliance. Specifically, I see this as an investment that's smart for households that go through bread quickly, like large families or homes with multiple roommates.

What is one drawback of using a bread machine? ›

One disadvantage of using a bread maker as opposed to your hands is that the paddles are typically fixed, meaning they remain in the dough when baking, often leaving a hole in the middle of the loaf.

What is the unhealthy ingredient in bread? ›

Potassium bromate is a common oxidizing agent used to strengthen dough and improve rising. But the chemical has been linked to cancer, and is banned in many countries around the world. The state of California even listed the chemical as a known carcinogen, but the FDA still allows it to be used in food.

What is the healthiest flour for homemade bread? ›

The healthiest bread flour is 100% whole grain flour. Whole grain flour could be rye, barley, spelt, oat, or wheat flour - the key is that the flour is made from 100% whole grains. Whole grain breads provide essential nutrients that are lacking in bread made from white flour.

What is the most unhealthy type of bread? ›

The highly processed flour and additives in white, packaged bread can make it unhealthful. Consuming too much white bread can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

How long does homemade bread last? ›

Johanna Hartzheim, co-founder and head of product at Wildgrain, a bread and pasta delivery service, recommends eating homemade bread within three days but says it will last up to a week. "The bread will start to dry up and become a bit harder over time, but it takes much longer until it becomes moldy," she says.

Is it better to make your own bread or buy it? ›

Homemade bread is also made with more nutritious ingredients and is healthier and better-tasting than store-bought loaves. But buying store-bought bread may be more cost-effective than making it yourself if you just need one loaf of super basic, plain sandwich bread for breakfast or lunch.

Are homemade baked goods healthier than store-bought? ›

The Homemade Advantage:

When baking at home, you have the power to select high-quality, wholesome ingredients, steering clear of artificial additives, excessive sugar, and preservatives commonly found in store-bought options. Flour, the cornerstone of most baked goods, can be a prime example.

Is homemade bread healthier than rice? ›

Which is healthier: bread or rice? When looking at the nutritional content of a single serving of bread and rice, bread may be considered the healthier option. This is due to bread containing fewer calories and carbohydrates than rice. However, rice does contain more protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to bread.

Is homemade bread high in sugar? ›

Whole grain breads that are homemade, available at farmers' markets, and made at local bakeries may be higher in fiber and lower in sugar. They will likely be less processed than those on grocery store shelves.

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