Nitrate & Nitrite Free Honey Oat Bread
Warm, hearty, and faintly sweet from a drizzle of honey, this oat-studded loaf is the kind of homemade bread that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. Every ingredient here is straightforward and clean — rolled oats, whole wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and yeast — so there's nothing hidden to worry about, which is exactly the point. Processed deli breads and packaged loaves often sneak in preservatives and curing agents that people following a nitrate- and nitrite-free lifestyle are trying to avoid, but baking from scratch puts you fully in control. The oats give the crumb a tender, slightly chewy texture, while the whole wheat flour adds a nutty depth that plain white sandwich bread just can't match. A two-stage rise builds real flavor and that beautiful crown above the pan, and the honey keeps the crust from going too tough. Let it cool fully before slicing and you'll be rewarded with clean, even slices that hold up beautifully for toast, sandwiches, or just a thick slab with butter.
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Learn more →Ingredients
12 servings
For the bread
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1.250 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
- 1 tbsp rolled oats, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup rolled oats, boiling water, honey, olive oil, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir to mix, then let stand for 20 minutes until the oats have absorbed the water and the mixture has cooled to lukewarm (below 110°F / 43°C).
- 2
In a medium bowl, stir the yeast into the warm water (105–110°F / 40–43°C) and let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
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