Making a soft, fluffy whole wheat loaf at home without vital wheat gluten is now possible with this easy honey wheat bread machine recipe. This homemade whole wheat bread is a fuss-free, simple, and reliable whole wheat recipe that delivers delicious results every time.
If you've ever wanted to recreate that soft, slightly sweet whole wheat loaf at home — just like the ones from the supermarket — this easy bread machine recipe is for you.
Made with simple ingredients and no preservatives, it’s a great starting point for homemade bread.
Once you get comfortable with the most basic bread recipes like our Sandwich Bread, it opens the door to trying more variations — this honey whole wheat bread is a favorite, adapted from our go-to 100% whole wheat bread machine recipe.
Ingredients
- 250 gms (1 cup) Water
- 2 tsp Salt
- 86 gms (1/4 cup) Honey
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 360 gms Whole Wheat Flour
- 120 gms All Purpose Flour/white flour
- 1 tsp Instant Yeast
Ingredient Notes:
- Water: Use room temperature water if your bread machine heats during the initial stage of the whole wheat setting. If your machine doesn’t preheat, use lukewarm water (around 110°F/43°C) to help activate the yeast.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and helps control yeast activity. It’s important to measure accurately. Follow the ingredient order recommended by your bread machine — mine suggests adding salt with water at the bottom and yeast on top of the flour. Check your manual for the correct layering method.
- Oil: Contributes to a soft, tender crumb. Use any neutral-flavored oil like canola, sunflower, or even light olive oil.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Provides a nutty, wholesome flavor. Use a good quality, finely milled blend of whole wheat flour for the best texture.
- Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour): Helps lighten the texture of the bread, making it softer, a light wheat loaf and less dense.
- Yeast: Use instant yeast or bread machine yeast — both work well. Just ensure it’s fresh and doesn’t come into direct contact with salt when adding to the pan.
Please scroll to the end of the post to print out the recipe card.
Step by Step Instructions
Before you begin, it’s essential to follow the ingredient order recommended by your specific bread machine model by checking the bread machine manual.
Most machines suggest adding wet ingredients first (like water, honey, and oil), followed by dry ingredients (salt, milk powder, flour), and placing the yeast last.
To keep the yeast separate from the liquids, especially during the delay start or preheat cycle, make a small well in the flour and add the yeast into it. This helps ensure proper activation at the right stage.
Always check your machine’s manual for best results.
Step 1: Preparation
Ensure the kneading blade is securely in placed inside the bread machine pan.
Step 2: Ingredient Assembly
In the bread pan, add the ingredients in this order - water, salt, honey, oil.
Followed by whole wheat flour, and all-purpose flour. Make a small well in the center of the flour and add 1 tsp instant yeast
📌 Tip: Always follow the ingredient order recommended in your bread machine’s manual. Some models may have slight variations.
Step 3: Bread Machine Settings
- Weight: 750 grams (approximately 1.5 lbs)
- Color: Medium crust
- Option: Whole Wheat setting
- Press Start and allow the machine to complete the cycle — it will mix, knead, proof, and bake the loaf.
Step 4: Baking
About 3 to 5 minutes after the machine starts kneading, quickly open the lid and take a look at the dough. It should come together into a soft, slightly tacky ball.
If it appears too sticky or dry, this is the only time you can make small adjustments — though for this recipe, I haven’t found the need to add anything extra, unlike in our whole wheat bread recipe.
Once the cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread pan from the machine using oven mitts. Let the bread sit in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
🧺 Letting it cool fully helps avoid a gummy texture and makes slicing easier.
Storage Instructions
- Allow the bread to cool completely before storing.
- Store this homemade bread at room temperature in an airtight container or plastic bread bag for up to 3–4 days.
- For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread in a ziplock bag for up to 1 month.
- To thaw frozen bread, leave it at room temperature or toast individual slices.
- 🧑🍳 Pro Tip: To prevent freezer burn, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap before placing it in the ziplock bag.
Best Tips
- Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise. If you haven't baked in a while, it's a good idea to buy a fresh packet to avoid any issues with the dough.
- Check Dough Consistency Early: About 3–5 minutes into the kneading cycle, open the lid and check the bread dough. It should form into a soft, tacky ball. If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon of water; if too sticky, sprinkle in a little flour. Do not open the lid during the entire baking cycle after the kneading phase, as this can interfere with the bread’s rise and texture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best dough consistency and rise, make sure your water (or milk) and oil are at room temperature. Using cold liquids can slow down the yeast, affecting the rise and texture of the bread. If your bread machine doesn’t have a pre-heating feature, it’s better to use lukewarm water or milk to promote yeast activity. For machines like mine, the Lifelong Bread Machine, that come with a pre-heating function for the whole wheat setting, room temperature liquids work perfectly. Just ensure the liquid isn’t too hot, as it could kill the yeast.
- Flour Quality Matters: Using high-quality whole wheat flour ensures the best texture for your bread machine honey wheat bread recipe. Avoid chakki atta or regular whole wheat flour brands that may not yield the desired softness. A combination of whole wheat flour and white bread flour works great for this recipe.
- Avoid Overfilling the Bread Pan: Stick to the recommended ingredients and measurements to prevent overflow or uneven baking in the machine.
- Let the Bread Cool Completely: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing. This helps it set and prevents it from becoming too soggy or gummy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use 100% whole wheat flour instead of a combination of whole wheat and plain flour. However, the loaf may turn out denser, as whole grains tend to absorb more liquid. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly to achieve the right dough consistency.
If you substitute honey with sugar or another sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar, or even white sugar, the recipe will no longer be a honey whole wheat bread but a simple whole wheat bread recipe. Honey not only adds sweetness but also moisture, so the texture may change slightly. If you prefer the signature taste and texture of honey whole wheat bread, it’s best to stick with honey.
If the bread didn’t rise properly, it could be due to expired or inactive yeast, using cold liquids, or not following the correct ingredient order. Always check the yeast's freshness and ensure liquids are at the right temperature to activate the yeast.
Yes, you can use active dry yeast, but you will need to activate it first by dissolving it in warm water (around 110°F/43°C) before adding it to the bread pan. Additionally, you should increase the amount by about 1/4 tsp to account for the lower potency of active dry yeast compared to instant yeast. However, this extra step and the additional yeast can sometimes cause the bread to sink even before the dough cycle is complete. For the best results, it is recommended to stick to instant yeast or bread machine yeast, as they are specifically designed for bread machines and provide more reliable, hassle-free results.
Related Recipes
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Honey Wheat Bread Machine recipe - Basic Loaf
Ingredients
- 250 gms (1 cup) Water
- 2 tsp Salt
- 86 gms (1/4 cup) Honey
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Milk Powder optional
- 360 gms (3 cups) Whole Wheat Flour
- 120 gms (1 cup) Plain Flour
- 1 tsp Instant Yeast
Instructions
- Insert the kneading blade into your bread pan securely.
- Add the ingredients in the following order: water, salt, honey, oil, milk powder if using, whole wheat flour, plain flour. Make a well in the centre and add the yeast. Or follow the instructions from your bread machine manual.
- Place the pan into the bread machine and close the lid.
- Bread Machine SettingsWeight: 750 grams (1.5 lbs)Crust Color: MediumOption: Whole Wheat SettingPress Start and allow the machine to complete the full Whole Wheat cycle.
- Allow the machine to run its full cycle (around 3½ to 4 hours depending on the model).
- Once done, carefully remove the pan using oven mitts.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- This recipe is for a 1.5 lb loaf.
- You can open the lid only during the kneading cycle to check the dough consistency or scrape down the sides. At this stage, feel free to adjust with a little more flour or water if the dough looks too wet or dry. Do not open the lid once the rising or baking begins.
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure proper mixing and consistent results.
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