Searching for nutritious bread recipes that taste good?

We all want to eat healthier. But who wants to give up delicious foods? Bread is one of those foods most families just can’t live without.

The issue is…

Store bought breads are loaded with preservatives, sneaky sugars, and questionable ingredients.

The solution?

Make wholesome bread from scratch. When you bake your own loaves you control all ingredients.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Why Healthy Bread Recipes Are Important For Your Family
2. Top Healthy Bread Alternatives
3. Family Friendly Bread Recipes
4. Helpful Tips For Homemade Bread Success

Why Healthy Bread Recipes Are Important For Your Family

Bread has been part of the human diet for millennia. It’s delicious, affordable, and kids actually want to eat it.

The problem is most grocery store options are unhealthy.

Typical bread loaves contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), hydrogenated oils, and artificial preservatives. None of those ingredients help you live healthier. In fact, they cause weight gain and numerous other problems.

Homemade bread is different.

When you make bread from scratch you control what goes into it. You can use whole grain flours instead of refined white flour. Cut the sugar. Ditch the fake additives.

You get to decide what your family eats. Baking your own bread gives your loved ones the nutrition they need without all the junk.

The focus on health and wellness has skyrocketed over the past few years. According to Glanbia Nutritionals, one in four consumers worldwide consider health claims when purchasing bread and that number continues to grow.

Instead of filling their bodies with preservatives and hidden sugars you can stack the nutritious odds in your family’s favor.

Recipes like lentil bread are healthy bread alternatives that kids and parents will both love.

Just remember most highly processed foods are unhealthy.

That includes MANY grocery store bread options.

Top Healthy Bread Alternatives

You don’t have to stop eating bread to improve your family’s diet. There are plenty of healthy bread alternatives for you to consider.

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…

Whole Wheat Bread is made by finely grounding the entire wheat kernel. This includes the bran, germ, and endosperm. Whole wheat contains more fiber and nutrients than refined white bread.

Sprouted Grain Bread goes even further by sprouting the grain first. Many families find sprouted wheat easier to digest. It’s also higher in nutrients since the sprouting process unlocks more of them.

Sourdough Bread is made by fermenting the dough naturally. This process breaks down gluten and phytic acid so your body can absorb more nutrients. Not to mention it’s hearty flavor encourages healthier bacteria to grow in your gut.

Oat Bread is another delicious option. Oats are high in fiber and have a natural sweetness children adore. Compared to wheat, they require far less water to produce. Which makes them better for the environment.

Find a healthy bread alternative your whole family will enjoy. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find something delicious.

Family Friendly Bread Recipes

Ready to start baking? These recipes are easy to follow and great for beginners.

Simple Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

This homemade bread recipe is soft with just a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 packet yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Combine yeast and warm water with honey. Wait 5 mins.
2. Add oil, salt, and flour. Mix until shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead on floured surface for 8-10 mins until smooth.
4. Rise 1 hour in oiled bowl covered with towel.
5. Punch down and shape into loaf. Place in greased pan.
6. Rise 30 mins.
7. Bake at 375 for 30-35 mins.

Honey Oat Bread Recipe

Sweet bread that your kids will love for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 packet yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Mix warm milk, yeast, and honey. Wait 5 mins.
2. Add butter (softened), salt, oats, and flour. Mix until shaggy.
3. Knead for 8-10 mins until smooth.
4. Rise 1 hour in oiled bowl covered with towel.
5. Punch down and shape into loaf. Place in greased pan.
6. Rise 30 mins.
7. Bake at 350 for 35-40 mins.

Quick & Easy No-Knead Crusty Bread

If you are short on time this no knead recipe is perfect.

Directions:

• Mix 3 cups flour, 1/4 tsp instant yeast, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1.5 cups warm water until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Cover bowl with towel and let sit at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
• Flour surface and shape dough into loaf. Let rest on pan for 2 hours.
• Bake in preheated Dutch oven at 450°F for 30 minutes covered. Remove lid and bake 15 more minutes.

Helpful Tips For Homemade Bread Success

Don’t have a lot of baking experience? No worries. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.

• Check your yeast is fresh before using it. Stale yeast results in flat dough. To test yours: Dissolve in warm water with pinch of sugar. It should foam within 10 minutes.
• Make sure water is the right temp. Water that’s too hot will kill yeast. Water that isn’t warm enough won’t activate it. Ideal brewing temp is between 105-110 degrees. It should feel warm, not hot, to the touch.
• Always let dough rise twice. Some recipes only call for one rise. Don’t cheat the process! That second rise helps add flavor and better texture to your bread.
• Let bread cool before slicing. I know it smells great when it comes out of the oven. But cutting into the loaf releases steam and you’ll end up with gumminess. Wait at least 20 mins.

Why Homemade Is Better

I get it. Making homemade bread for your family sounds like a lot of work.

But is it?

There’s no denying baking from scratch takes longer than popping open a store bought loaf. But who has time to spend hours in the kitchen these days?

Bread baking doesn’t have to be time consuming. Most of the work is in the mixing. Your dough needs time to rise anyways. Prepare it in the morning, let it sit all day, bake after dinner.

Make a double or triple batch. Bake the loaves your family will eat and freeze the others. Properly stored homemade bread lasts up to 3 months in the freezer.

A recent study discovered 62% of consumers say healthfulness is the number one driver of their food purchases. That’s huge. And homemade bread fits perfectly into this new health-conscious lifestyle.

Wrapping It Up

Making bread at home is a simple way to provide your family better nutrition. You’ll avoid all the preservatives and hidden sugars found in grocery store bread.

Remember…

By baking your own loaves you control every single ingredient.

Healthy Bread Recipes In Summary:

• Nutritionists agree most commercial bread is unhealthy
• Homemade bread allows you to control ingredients used
• Whole wheat, sprouted grain, and sourdough bread are all healthy alternatives
• Learn to bake! There are tons of recipes for beginners that taste amazing
• Plan ahead to make homemade bread baking fit into your schedule

Don’t just take my word for it.

Try one of these recipes this week.

Shop around for different healthy bread alternatives.

When you take the time to bake your own loaf you’ll understand why store bought just doesn’t compare.