Bread baking for beginners should start with a reliable appliance and a compilation of easy bread machine recipes. And so, I’ve selected a few must-try ideas to test out your bread machine makers at home and bring out the baker in you. But aside from picking out the easiest recipes, I also chose the most versatile bread creations that you can transform into appetisers, meals or snacks!
1. French Bread Recipe
Golden brown and crusty baguette is among my favourite artisan bread machine recipes. Aside from its few, inexpensive ingredients, the process is now fast and easy with a bread maker. This recipe, however, will not have the familiar French bread shape. But you can always use the same ingredients, shape your bread dough by hand and bake your loaf in the oven.
Yield: 750g loaf
Note: Adjust the measured ingredients if needed to match your bread maker capacity or preferred yield.
Ingredients
- 260ml lukewarm water
- 20g margarine
- 450g (3 cups) plain flour
- 15g (1 tbsp) white sugar
- 5g (1 tsp) bread improver
- 5g (1 tsp) salt
- 7g (1¼ tsp) instant dried yeast
Procedure
- Measure your ingredients, and put them into the bread tin in the order listed in the recipe. Wipe away any spills from the bread pan exterior.
- Position the bread pan into the machine, then close the lid.
- Following your product manual, select the French bread setting. Press the Crust button to set your desired crust colour, then press Start. Bread will bake in the time indicated on your bread maker.
- When done, remove the bread pan from the machine. Let it cool down for a while in the bread pan for 10 minutes before turning the warm loaf onto a wire rack. Remove the blade from the base of your baked French bread.
Things to Do with French Bread
Home-baked French bread is delicious as is or when paired with a pasta dish. But it’s even better when used to make:
- French onion soup. Top your savoury broth with sliced baguette and cheese, then broil before serving your hearty starter.
- Steak sandwiches. Stuff your sliced baguettes with slices of steak, caramelised onions and Provolone cheese. Or if you love Asian flavours, make ban mi sandwiches instead.
- French bread pizza. Here’s an alternative to your bread maker pizza dough. Top your halved French bread with your favourite pizza toppings, bake for a few minutes and voila! Your crisp baguette pizza is ready for everyone to enjoy.
2. Garlic Bread Recipe
Sliced baguettes are also great for making garlic bread slices. But if you want to bake a loaf full of garlicky goodness, then make sure to add this to your list of bread machine recipes. We’re even using fresh roasted garlic as a secret ingredient for extra aroma and flavour punch!
Yield: 1kg loaf
Note: Adjust the measured ingredients if needed to match your bread maker capacity or preferred yield.
Ingredients
- 375ml water
- 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
- Roasted garlic, whole bulb (see recipe below)
- 9g (1½ tsp) salt
- 23g (1½ tbsp) sugar
- 600g (4 cups) bread flour
- 4g (¾ tsp) bread improver
- 30g (2 tbsp) milk powder
- 30g (2 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped
- 9g (1½ tsp) active dry yeast
Roasted Garlic Prep
- Slice the top of a whole garlic bulb. Place the garlic bulb on a square sheet of aluminium foil big enough to wrap it.
- Drizzle the bulb with about two tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Then add two sprigs of thyme before enclosing the whole bulb in foil.
- Place it on a baking tray, then bake it at 175C for about 35 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and creamy.
- To use it for this flavoured white bread recipe, squeeze the bulb to extract the cloves.
Procedure
- Measure your ingredients, and put them into the bread tin in the order listed in the recipe. Wipe away any spills from the bread pan exterior.
- Position the bread pan into the machine, then close the lid.
- Following your product manual, select the right bread setting. Then choose 1000g loaf size and your desired crust colour. Press Start to begin the mixing and baking cycle.
- When done, remove the bread pan from the machine. Turn the tasty loaf onto a wire rack to cool. Remove the blade from the base of your baked garlic bread.
Things to Go with Garlic Bread
Don’t limit yourself to sandwiches or spaghetti with meatballs. Pair your garlic bread loaf with other things like:
- Soups. Turn tomato, beef, bean or seafood soups into a filling meal by serving garlic bread for dipping.
- Slow-cooked stews. There’s no better way to mop up that rich sauce than with chunks of baked garlic bread.
- Salads. Add texture and flavour to your tossed greens in dressing with diced garlic bread croutons. You can slice your loaf and make crostini or bruschetta, too.
- Steamed mussels. This classic favourite is not complete without garlic toasts served on the side.
3. Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
I love collecting bread machine recipes that I can use for making healthy sandwiches. This whole wheat bread recipe, for example, makes it easy for me to add more fibre and nutrition to our packed lunches for school or work. It’s an excellent alternative to plain old white bread loaf. With this in your bread bin, all you need is your favourite deli, spread or veggie, and you’re good to go!
Yield: 750g loaf
Note: Adjust the measured ingredients if needed to match your bread maker capacity or preferred yield.
Ingredients
- 260ml lukewarm water
- 10g margarine
- 400g (2½ cups) whole wheat plain flour
- 10g (2 tsp) brown sugar
- 10g (2 tsp) skim milk powder
- 3g (½ tsp) salt
- 5g (1 tsp) bread improver
- 9g (1½ tsp) instant dried yeast
Procedure
- Measure your ingredients, and put them into the bread tin in the order listed in the recipe. Wipe away any spills from the bread pan exterior.
- Position the bread pan into the machine, then close the lid.
- Following your product manual, select the Wheat bread setting, 750g loaf size, then your desired crust colour. Press Start to begin the mixing and baking cycle.
- When done, remove the bread pan from the machine. Turn the loaf of bread onto a wire rack to cool. Remove the blade from the base.
Things to Put in Whole Wheat Bread
A whole-wheat sandwich does not have to be bland. Try these filling ideas to put healthy and tasty in every bite:
- Cheese omelette. Cook two beaten eggs with diced onions and green peppers. Place your omelette on a slice of whole-wheat toast, then top your open-face sandwich with grated skimmed cheddar cheese.
- Almond butter with berries. Generously spread almond butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread. Mash and spread fresh raspberries on another bread slice, then put the two together. Cook your fruity sandwich on low heat until toasted. You can use sugar-free berry jams, too, if you like.
- Tuna salad. Toast your homemade bread. Then put some canned tuna flakes, lettuce and light mayo for a refreshing sandwich. You can add pickles, green apples or celery for extra crunch, too.
- Grilled or roasted chicken. Leftover chicken? No problem! Use it as filling for your whole-wheat sandwich with lettuce, onion and tomato instead.
- Eggplant and mozzarella. This sandwich melt is perfect for making your kids’ love veggies. Just brush olive oil on sliced eggplants, then bake them until tender. Next, spread tomato sauce on your toasted whole-wheat bread. Then place one or two eggplant slices on each, and top it with tomato and mozzarella (sliced or grated). Place it back in the oven until the cheese melts, then top it off with sauteed spinach and mushrooms. Yum!
Keen to try more bread maker recipes? Level up with these rustic loaf ideas!
