What Are the Benefits of Making Homemade Bread?
Updated: Oct. 19, 2022
Here's why you should invest that elbow grease.
There’s something about tearing into a warm, fresh loaf that turns bread eating into a culinary experience. While it takes more time to make bread than it does to just grab some at the store, it’s definitely worth the effort.
We have hundreds of homemade bread recipes that we can’t get enough of. But if you’re just beginning your bread-making adventure, you’re likely wondering just how much time and energy you’ll need to invest in that first loaf.
Is it cheaper to make your own bread?
Homemade bread is typically made from just a few ingredients—bread flour, salt, water, yeast and oil. Our basic homemade bread recipe incorporates sugar, too. This means most of the ingredients you need are already in your pantry, with the exception of yeast and bread flour. You can pick up bread flour at your local grocery store for about $4, and an individual packet of yeast shouldn’t cost more than $1.
A 5-pound bag of bread flour and three yeast packets cost about $7 total, and should yield enough flour to make about three loaves of bread. Compare that to three packages of bread for $4 each—which would run you about $12. Overall, it’s cheaper!
Is it healthier to make your own bread?
When you make your own bread, you have control over what ingredients go into the batch. When you purchase bread from the store, you’ll likely see a long ingredient list, like potassium bromate, partially hydrogenated oil and azodicarbonamide. If you want to be healthier, you can create your own breads loaded with nutritious ingredients, like whole wheat bread made with honey, or this Wild Rice Bread with Sunflower Seeds.
Plus, bread you purchase from the store may taste fresh, but many types are loaded with preservatives to extend their shelf life. The verdict: homemade is typically healthier.
How do you make homemade bread taste better?
Fresh fruits and herbs can transform the flavor of your loaves, and honey is always a tasty substitute for sugar. If you want a crunchier crust, like this beautiful homemade loaf has, try incorporating cornmeal. Plus, few things in the world make bread taste quite as delectable as butter melting on a freshly baked slice.
What tools do you need to make homemade bread?
Thankfully, you don’t need many tools to make bread at home. (Here’s the full equipment list.) We recommend using a stand mixer to mix the ingredients and even knead the dough, if you prefer that to hand-kneading. And if you want an even more hands-off approach, try these recipes for a bread machine. Regardless of the tools you choose, make sure you’re loaded up on flour, flat surfaces and a good amount of elbow grease.
So is baking your own bread worth it?
Yep. Making bread from scratch is one of those simple life pleasures that provides a great sense of satisfaction. So put on your favorite tunes and roll up your sleeves—it’s a worthwhile investment of your time. If you’re looking for a healthy twist, ezekiel bread is about to become a staple in your diet.
The Best Bread Recipe from Every State
Apple Zucchini BreadSince apples and zucchini are so abundant in this area, it's only natural that the two be used together in one recipe. I really don't know the origin of this bread, but I do know it's been one of my favorites for many years. —Patti Dillingham, Scranton, Arkansas
Chive-Cheese CornbreadThis cornbread goes well with any main dish. The chives and sharp cheddar cheese give it a special flavor. —Sybil Eades, Gainesville, Georgia
Hawaii: Ginger & Lemon MuffinsA microplane grater (also used for citrus zest and hard cheese) works well for grating ginger. Fresh ginger can be frozen up to 6 months; just break off what you need for a recipe.—Linda Green, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii
Garlic Herb Bubble LoafI adapted an old sour cream bread recipe for this deliciously different pull-apart loaf that smells heavenly while baking. It has a light crust, tender interior and lots of herb and butter flavor. We think it's wonderful with a hot bowl of potato soup. —Katie Crill, Priest River, Idaho
Mississippi: Glazed Cranberry Sweet Potato BreadSlices of the moist bread topped with an orange glaze make a sweet snack to enjoy anytime. —The Sweet Potato Festival Committee, Vardaman, Mississippi
Montana: Chocolate Zucchini Bread I shred and freeze zucchini from my garden each summer so that I can make this bread all winter long. Our family loves this chocolaty treat.—Shari Mckinney, Birney, Montana
Honey CornbreadServing this moist cornbread to family and guests is a pleasure. Honey gives the bread a slightly sweet taste, and most people find it difficult to eat just one piece. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
New Mexico: Potluck Pan RollsThe appealing homemade yeast-bread flavor of these golden rolls is unbeatable. Soft and light, they're great alongside any entree. Folks are disappointed if I don't bring them to potluck dinners. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Rosemary Walnut BreadI received this recipe from a friend who was moving into a new apartment. To celebrate, she made this bread to share and now it is served at many of my family functions.—Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Best Ever Banana BreadWhenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is amazingly good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Originally Published: January 29, 2020
