The Easy Bread Machine Recipe

I found a bread maker at my local thrift store for $12, and haven’t bought bread since! This is our tried-and-true perfect easy bread machine recipe that contains half and half of whole wheat and all-purpose flour.

Although I love baking cakes and muffins, up until recently I didn’t really make a lot of bread. Don’t get me wrong, I love homemade bread, but I didn’t want to mess around the kitchen for hours, considering I already do that as part of my job!

When I came across a bread machine in a thrift store, little did I know I would be making bread ALL THE TIME! All you need is a foolproof recipe, the rest of the work is done by the bread maker.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• As great as bread maker machines are, their settings mean that you need to be more precise with your baking from the very start. This easy bread machine recipe is tried and tested, which means it should work like a charm for any standard bread maker!
• Brand new bread machines often come with a recipe book tailored to that particular bread maker. However, many of these recipe tend to include non-vegan ingredients like butter or dried milk powder. Whereas this recipe only has wholesome, vegan ingredients, just like traditional bread!
• The reason bread recipes usually include a certain amount of sugar is to feed the yeast that plays a crucial role in making the bread rise. However, store-bought loaves often contain more sugar than necessary to extend the shelf life. But not this easy bread machine recipe!
• Speaking of sugar, this wholemeal loaf is made with no refined sugar. Instead, I used maple syrup.
• As for the shelf life, I promise that you won’t have to worry about it because this whole loaf will be GONE in a blink of an eye. It is DELICIOUS!

How to Make This Recipe

Make sure the mixer “bowl” that doubles as a bread pan (if you own a bread maker, you know what I mean) is clean.

Place it on the counter and add water, olive oil and maple syrup. Add the whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour on top of the liquid.

Make sure it is dispersed across the surface of the wet ingredients so none are showing. Next, spread the yeast and salt over the flour. 

Select the whole wheat bread cycle on your bread maker. This will typically take 3 and a half hours, including mixing, kneading, proving and baking.

Once your loaf is done, remove it from the pan and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. 

Hack It!

• Store in a sealed container at room temperature or in your bread bin for up to 4 days. Homemade bread will become stale faster than store bought because there are no preservatives.
• Even if you don’t eat much bread, none of it should go to waste! You could pre-slice it and freeze it while fresh. When it thaws out, it will be as soft and moist as if you only just made it!
• In our household, this bread is gone almost immediately, but if some of yours had gone stale, that’s not the end of the world. You can make some croutons, breadcrumbs, or my signature stale bread cake!
• Once you master this recipe, you can experiment with adding some seeds, herbs, or dried spices for a more gourmet version of this loaf.
• No bread making machine? Try these no-knead overnight oat buns instead!

Best Recipes Using Wholewheat Bread

• Loaded Veggie Sandwich. The original recipe lists sourdough but trust me, this wholewheat flour loaf goes perfectly with this delicious vegan sandwich.
• Dill Pickle Tofu Sandwich. This Scrappy Cooking recipe uses leftover pickle juice to bring you a delicious, crispy breaded tofu sandwich.
• Vegan Philly Cheesesteak. Toast a couple of slices of your homemade loaf and enjoy it with this legendary, indulgent filling.

Tips for Buying a Bread Maker Machine

It goes without saying that you can’t exactly make this easy bread machine recipe… without a bread machine. I was lucky enough to stumble upon one at the thrift store, but if you’re wondering how to choose a good bread maker, here are a few tips:

• Consider the size. Bread makers come in different sizes, so make sure to choose one that suits your needs. This is especially relevant to those with limited kitchen storage or counter space.
• Choose a model with basic features. A basic bread maker should have basic features such as a timer, and a few pre-programmed settings for different types of bread. Make sure the controls are clearly labeled and easy to understand.
• Think about cleaning. As self-sufficient as bread machines are at making bread, they still need to be cleaned by hand. Choose a model that can be easily cleaned or washed. Many modern bread makers have a dishwasher-friendly loaf pan.
• What’s your budget? A basic bread maker should be affordable and offer good value for money. Compare prices and features of different models before making a decision.
• Buy second-hand. The truth is, many people who bought a bread machine on a whim end up using it very little. You could scour Facebook marketplace, Ebay, or your local thrift stores and car boot sales for a second-hand purchase. It’s usually much cheaper and better for the planet.

How to Ensure Your Easy Bread Machine Recipe is Perfect

• Follow the recipe. Be sure to follow the recipe provided or use a recipe designed specifically for bread machines. The amounts of ingredients and the order in which they come can affect the texture and rise of your bread.
• Use high-quality ingredients. Use fresh, high-quality flour and up-to-date yeast to ensure your bread has the best possible taste and texture.
• Use the right type of yeast. This recipe calls for instant yeast, which come in dry form. Do not substitute with fresh yeast as it requires a different process and a larger amount of yeast.
• Use warm water. When using yeast, be sure to use warm water (around 105°F/40°C) to activate the yeast. Too cold, and the yeast won’t activate, too hot and it will kill the live bacteria in the yeast.
• Let the bread machine do its job. Opening the lid during the baking process can cause the bread to collapse. Keep the lid closed until the baking cycle is complete.
• Remove the bread from the pan as soon as it’s ready. Leaving the bread in the pan after it’s finished baking can cause it to become soggy. Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool.
• Choose the right setting. If you bought a bread maker second-hand, it usually has a diagram of different settings on the machine itself. Alternatively, I recommend searching for a manual of that particular model online. It should help you learn how to use the machine and select the whole wheat loaf setting.
• Wait for the bread to cool down. Even after you’ve removed the bread from the machine, the steam within your loaf continues to cook it from the inside. If you cut the load straight away, the steam will escape, and the loaf may collapse.
• Remove the mixing paddle. Many standard bread machines bake the loaf with the mixing paddle encased in the middle. Remember that it’s there and be sure to remove it before you slice your bread. Otherwise, you may damage your knife.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Secret Garden Focaccia Bread
• Overnight Oat Buns
• Four-Ingredient Vegan Bagels
• Homemade Vegan Cheese Recipe
• Oat Tortillas (Gluten-Free)

If you love simple vegan recipes like this one, you’re going to NEED the PlantYou Cookbook in your collection! It features over 140 plant-based recipes, including essentials like vegan cheese, dressings and dips. Each recipe is accompanied by a helpful infographic to make cooking easier for visual learners like me!

If you like to keep your weekly menu more dynamic, check out the PlantYou Planner! It’s a meal planner app that allows you to FULLY CUSTOMIZE your weekly meal plan, including the number of servings for each dish. The planner has a built-in function that generates a shopping list reflecting your meal choices. You can take it right to the store, and check things off as you shop!