Crusty Vegan Bread Recipe
Looking for an easy and crusty vegan bread recipe? This homemade bread requires just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort. Enjoy a warm, crusty loaf straight from your own oven!
Jump to Recipe
Why Homemade?
Not only homemade bread taste good, but it’s also a healthier alternative to store-bought bread. By making your own bread, you have control over the ingredients, ensuring that there are no added preservatives or artificial flavors. Make sure to use Unbleached Bread flour, high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and even incorporate nutritious seeds and grains into the dough. Making your own bread from scratch may seem intimidating, but this recipe is straightforward and requires minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
- Unbleached Bread Flour – I always use unbleached flour because its healthier. You can use bleached flour if you already have in your pantry. Both flours would work for this recipe.
- Instant Dry Yeast – Instant Dry Yeast is a fast-acting yeast.
- Salt – I like to use Sea Salt.
- Sugar – is needed to activate the yeast.
- Extra virgin olive oil – you can also use avocado oil or any oil you have in pantry.
- Warm water
Instructions
1. In a large Stand Mixer bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
2. Add the warm water and extra virgin olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix on setting #2 for few minutes.
3. Transfer the dough into the loaf pan, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about 1-1.5 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Next, score the dough – you can create straight lines, diagonal slashes, or even intricate patterns, depending on your preference. Remember to avoid cutting too deeply, as this can deflate the dough. Be very gentle in this process. Cover the dough again with kitchen towel and let it rise for another 15 minutes or so.
5. When dough is ready, preheat your oven to 440°F. Bake bread for approximately 50-60 minutes or until golden brown. If you like crispier, you can keep baking for another few more minutes.
6. Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the pot, remove baking paper, and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
The key to a successful loaf of bread is allowing it to rise properly. During the rising process, the yeast ferments the sugars in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas that causes the dough to expand. This is why it is important to cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel to create a warm and draft-free environment for the dough to rise.
Now that your homemade crusty vegan bread is ready, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! The crispy crust and soft, fluffy interior make this bread perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply as a side to your favorite soup or stew.
Crusty Vegan Bread Recipe
Course: BreakfastDifficulty: Easy16 slices
servings10
minutes50
minutes1.5
hoursIngredients
3.5 cups unbleached bread flour
2 tsp instant dry yeast
1.5 tsp sea salt
1.5 tsp white sugar
1.5 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1.75 cups warm water
Directions
- Add all dry ingredients to the Stand Mixer bowl. Mix well with whisker.
- Next, add warm water and extra virgin olive oil. Turn on the Stand Mixer and let it mix for a few minutes on lower setting.
- Transfer the dough into the loaf pan (make sure to shape the dough evenly). Cover with the towel and let it rise for an hour or until the dough double in size.
- Next, score the dough – you can create straight lines, diagonal slashes, or even intricate patterns, depending on your preference. Remember to avoid cutting too deeply, as this can deflate the dough. Be very gentle in this process. After scoring, cover the dough and let it rise for another 15 minutes or so.
- Preheat oven to 450°F and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crusty.
- Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the loaf pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- For crispier bread, let it bake for few more minutes.
- Bread can be stored in the freezer for up to two months.