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Freshly baked whole grain bread next to a bread machine in a kitchen.

Hearty Whole Grain Bread

This Hearty Whole Grain Bread is a robust and nutritious loaf made with a blend of whole wheat and rye flours, oats, and an assortment of seeds. Its slightly nutty flavor and dense, moist crumb make it ideal for everyday meals. Whether toasted for breakfast or used for a sandwich, this bread brings both flavor and wholesome goodness to your table. (For a vegan version, simply swap the honey for maple syrup.)
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course bread
Cuisine American, european
Servings 1 1 loaf (approximately 12 slices)

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl: For combining ingredients.
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons: For accuracy
  • Stand Mixer with Dough Hook (Optional): For kneading the dough.
  • Wooden Spoon or Dough Scraper: To mix and handle dough.
  • Loaf Pan (9"x5"): For shaping and baking the loaf.
  • Clean Kitchen Towel or Plastic Wrap: To cover the dough during rising.
  • Cooling Rack: For cooling the baked bread.
  • Oven: Preheated to the proper temperature for baking.

Ingredients
  

  • Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ cups warm water about 110°F/43°C
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup for vegan
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Dry Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup rye flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour you may substitute with more whole wheat for denser texture
  • ½ cup rolled oats old-fashioned or quick oats
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseeds lightly toasted, optional
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds optional
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

Instructions
 

  • Activate the Yeast:
  • In the large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients:
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, rye flour, all-purpose flour, oats, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, and salt.
  • Combine Wet and Dry:
  • Pour the activated yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon (or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook) until a shaggy dough forms.
  • Knead the Dough:
  • Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. (Alternatively, knead in the stand mixer on low speed for 5–7 minutes.)
  • First Rise:
  • Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 to 1 ½ hours or until doubled in size.
  • Shape the Loaf:
  • Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Shape it into a loaf by folding the dough over itself and tucking the edges underneath. Place the shaped dough into a greased 9"x5" loaf pan.
  • Second Rise:
  • Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let the dough rise for an additional 30–45 minutes until it has expanded near the top of the pan.
  • Bake:
  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has risen, place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. The bread is done when it has a golden-brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read about 190°F–200°F (88°C–93°C).
  • Cool:
  • Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the loaf to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
  • Details
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (excluding rising times)
  • First Rise: Approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours
  • Second Rise: Approximately 30–45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
  • Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes (including rising times)
  • Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 12 slices)
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American/European
  • Diet: Vegetarian (Vegan if honey is replaced with maple syrup)
  • Keywords
  • Whole grain, bread, healthy, homemade, hearty, seeds, whole wheat, rye, oats, nutritious, baking, artisan.
  • Nutrition (per serving – 1 slice, approx. 50g)
  • (Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on exact ingredient brands and measurements.)
  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 50g)
  • Calories: ~120 kcal
  • Sugar: ~2 g
  • Sodium: ~200 mg
  • Fat: ~3 g
  • Saturated Fat: ~0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~2.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~20 g
  • Fiber: ~3 g
  • Protein: ~4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Notes

Yeast Activation: Ensure the water is warm (not hot) to avoid killing the yeast.
Texture Adjustments: For a denser loaf, you can use more whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Crispier Crust: To achieve a crisper crust, place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack of your oven during baking to create steam.
Add-ins: Feel free to add herbs (like rosemary or thyme) or nuts (like walnuts or pecans) to vary the flavor profile.
Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze, then toast directly from the freezer.
Keyword Whole grain, bread, healthy, homemade, hearty, seeds, whole wheat, rye, oats, nutritious, baking, artisan.