Healthy Whole Grain Sandwich Bread
This made-from-scratch healthy whole grain sandwich bread is a nutritious alternative to store-bought loaves. Made with freshly milled whole wheat flour, this soft and flavorful bread is perfect for sandwiches, breakfast toast, or served warm with dinner. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome lunch option or a hearty homemade bread recipe, this loaf delivers both taste and nutrition in every slice.
Sandwiches, One of my Favorite Past Times
Picture a warm and sunny Summer day. You are in junior high and are spending the day with your very best friend. You go for a nice long swim in the pool with not a care in the world. No bills, no school, no stress, just a relaxing fun time. Afterwards, you grab a dry towel and wrap it around yourself, make a sandwich-stacking on your favorite chips- and go sit on the deck at the glass table. You sip on a cold can of soda and play cards. The birds are chirping, the gentle breeze blows through, and everything in that moment is perfection.
Those were the Summers of my childhood. I look back on those days very fondly. Every now and then I will still pile on my favorite chips in my sandwich and it brings me back to those special days. That was many many years ago and life indeed looks very different. One thing that has not changed however is the fact that I love sandwiches.
What were some of your favorite Summer memories as a kid? I would love to know!
Stacked and Packed: Sandwiches That Will Change Your Lunch Game
Sandwiches are SO versatile. You can enjoy many cold cuts on hot Summer days or perhaps get out your panini press for some deliciously hot pressed sandwiches in the Fall and Winter months.
If you are looking for some new fresh cold cut ideas, check these out:
The Killer Club Sandwich- Pioneer Woman
Italian Cold Cut Sub Sandwich- Girl Heart Food
Joanne’s Super Hero Sandwich- Allrecipes.com
The Best Ever California Sandwich- The Kitchn
If you are looking for a hot sandwich, you might try one of these:
Italian Grilled Cheese- Simply Recipes
Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich- Food & Wine
Havarti Avocado Sandwich with Spicy Mayo- Half Baked Harvest
Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich- Linda’s Best Recipes
The foundation of any great sandwich, of course, is the bread. That is where this recipe for Whole Grain Sandwich Bread comes in handy! It is delicious and can be made in one afternoon.
How To Make Healthy Whole Grain Bread for Sandwiches
First, Gather Ingredients
Here are the list of ingredients that you will need to make this delicious bread:
- Whole Wheat Flour– I milled mine fresh using Hard Red Wheat flour but you can use regular wheat flour
- Water
- Olive Oil
- Honey
- Eggs– My girls have been laying a TON lately!
- Instant Yeast
- Salt
Make the Dough
First, if you are using whole grains, mill your flour using your grain mill. If you have a kitchen scale, I highly recommend that you weigh your flour. I have found that it has been a game changer in my bread making journey. The loaves end up being lighter and more fluffy which is always desirable.
Next, put the water in a stand mixer. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the yeast and salt. We will add those in momentarily.
Knead the dough on speed 2 (if using a Kitchenaid) until a ball of dough forms and the ingredients are well combined. Let the dough rest for about 15-20 minutes. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out.
Now, add in the yeast and salt. Continue to knead for about 10 minutes.
Add the dough to an oiled mixing bowl and cover. Let rise until doubled in size. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen, it could take 45 minutes to about an hour and a half.
Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and divide it in half. This recipe for Whole Grain Sandwich Bread yields two loaves.
Shape the dough into logs, adding tension to aid in oven spring. Add them into a greased bread pan. Cover and let rise until doubled and standing about an inch above the rim of the pan. The bread should not spill over the rim of the pan if you have built good tension when shaping.
Bake
Preheat the over to 350 degrees and bake the loaves for about 35-40 minutes. Immediately remove the freshly baked bread from the pans and allow to completely cool on a wire rack, usually about 2 hours. Do not cut until the bread is fully cooled for best results. I know it is tempting to do it sooner but trust me…
Enjoy!
For more of my favorite breads, try out my Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread and Made From Scratch Sourdough Bread.
Whole Grain Sandwich Bread
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Grain Mill (optional) For freshly milled flour
- 2 9 x 4 inch loaf pans
Ingredients
- 880 g Whole Wheat Flour Hard White or Hard Red Wheat
- 528 g Water- Room Temperature
- 4 1/2 TBSP Olive Oil
- 4 1/2 TBSP Honey
- 2 Eggs
- 5 tsp Instant Yeast
- 3 3/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
- First, if you are using whole grains, mill your flour using your grain mill. If you have a kitchen scale, I highly recommend that you weigh your flour. I have found that it has been a game changer in my bread making journey. The loaves end up being lighter and more fluffy which is always desirable.
- Next, put the water in a stand mixer. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the yeast and salt. We will add those in momentarily.
- Knead the dough on speed 2 (if using a Kitchenaid) until a ball of dough forms and the ingredients are well combined. Let the dough rest for about 15-20 minutes. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out.
- Now, add in the yeast and salt. Continue to knead for about 10 minutes.
- Add the dough to an oiled mixing bowl and cover. Let rise until doubled in size. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen, it could take 45 minutes to about an hour and a half. Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and divide it in half.
- Shape the dough into logs, adding tension to aid in oven spring. Add them into a greased bread pan. Cover and let rise until doubled and standing about an inch above the rim of the pan. The bread should not spill over the rim of the pan if you have built good tension when shaping.
- Preheat the over to 350 degrees and bake the loaves for about 35-40 minutes. Immediately remove the freshly baked bread from the pans and allow to completely cool on a wire rack, usually about 2 hours. Do not cut until the bread is fully cooled for best results.
