Rye Bread

Rye bread is among the most flavorful types of bread. Compared to simple white bread, it has a more robust flavor and subtle sweetness. It’s also much heartier, as this homemade rye bread recipe uses a blend of flours: all-purpose, whole wheat and rye.

This recipe will teach you how to make rye bread on your own at home. Use the homemade bread to make sandwiches for weekday lunches, or simply try the rye bread recipe as a new baking project to get used to bread baking. Either way, you’ll end up with two rustic loaves of flavorful bread that you’ll be proud to share.

What is rye bread?

Rye bread is a type of bread made with rye flour, which gives it an earthy taste. Unlike most other bread recipes, this rye bread recipe uses a blend of flours, each of which plays a role in developing the rye bread’s texture and flavor. Rye flour brings a nutty, molasses-like character, while whole wheat flour adds heartiness and all-purpose flour contributes to the loaf’s structure.

Any bread made with rye flour can be called rye bread, but there are several types of rye bread recipes. Light rye has a lighter color and flavor than dark rye, which has a more robust taste. Jewish rye is made with more wheat flour and usually contains caraway seeds. Pumpernickel bread is another type of rye bread that tends to be denser and strongly flavored.

Rye Bread Ingredients

• Yeast: Active dry yeast plays a crucial role in making this rye bread rise, so it’s important to pick up this specific type of yeast. How to use yeast depends on whether it’s labeled “active dry” or “instant.”
• Warm water: Warm water helps wake the yeast from its dormant state, a process known as proofing yeast.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar brings a subtle sweetness to the bread. Darker brown sugar will offer a more robust molasses flavor, but you can choose to use light brown sugar.
• Molasses: Light molasses gives this homemade rye bread recipe its signature flavor and color. Use light molasses instead of blackstrap molasses or dark molasses.
• Caraway seeds: Caraway seeds are mixed into the dough for a touch of earthy, nutty spice and complex texture.
• Canola oil: Just 2 tablespoons oil can make all the difference in bread dough. In this rye bread recipe, oil brings rich flavor and contributes moisture to the dough.
• Salt: Salt plays a crucial role in building flavor for this homemade rye bread.
• Rye flour: The key to rye bread is rye flour, a type of flour with a hearty texture, slight nuttiness and malted flavor.
• Whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour is blended with rye flour and all-purpose flour in this recipe. Its high protein content contributes to the development of gluten while balancing flavor.
• All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour helps build the gluten network that provides structure to this bread.

Directions

Step 1: Activate the yeast

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Stir in the brown sugar, molasses, caraway seeds, oil, salt and the remaining 1-1/2 cups water.

Step 2: Make the dough

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Add the rye flour, whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Mix in enough remaining all-purpose flour to form a firm dough.

Step 3: Knead and proof the dough

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Turn out the dough onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, six to eight minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Step 4: Shape the loaves

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half and shape each into a round loaf. Place the dough on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Cover with kitchen towels and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: For a caraway topping, brush the loaves with an egg white beaten lightly with water. Sprinkle with caraway seeds before baking.

Step 5: Bake the bread

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Rye Bread Variations

• Add other seeds: Caraway seeds are traditional in rye bread recipes, but you could use other choices. Mix in sesame seeds, poppy seeds or even flax seeds. You could also skip the seeds altogether.
• Top with oats: Sprinkle the bread with old-fashioned oats before baking for an easy way to dress up rye bread loaves.
• Turn it into rolls: This rye bread recipe makes two loaves, but you could learn how to make the rye bread as rolls instead. Break each loaf into four round rolls and bake them on a greased baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes.

How to Store Rye Bread

It’s best to store bread on the counter, not in the refrigerator. Homemade rye bread can be stored in a bread box, reusable bag or bread bag.

How long does rye bread last?

Homemade rye bread won’t last as long as store-bought bread because it contains no preservatives. When stored properly at room temperature, rye bread should last up to five days.

Can you freeze rye bread?

You can certainly freeze bread to extend its life. Wrap the cooled loaf in storage wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Store the bread in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before slicing and enjoying.

Rye Bread Tips

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Why didn’t my rye bread dough rise?

The key to making any bread recipe is to start with yeast that’s ready to get to work. Yeast makes the dough rise, but only if it’s not expired. Check the date on the package to make sure your yeast is fresh. Also, double-check that the yeast has activated when dissolved in the warm water—the top of the water should look foamy.

How do you use rye bread?

Using rye bread to make a Rueben sandwich is a classic move, but this rye bread recipe has so many other uses. Use it as the base for a hot roast beef sandwich or even a grilled cheese. Or, serve rye bread alongside potato leek soup or a pulled beef dinner.

Can you use honey instead of molasses in rye bread?

Molasses adds a touch of sweetness and excellent flavor to homemade rye bread—it’s a signature component of rye bread—but in a pinch you can swap in honey if you don’t have molasses on hand.