Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread with Fresh Milled Flour

Oats add a depth of flavor to whole wheat honey oat bread that is simply irresistible! This is the loaf I bake when I want to add variety to our daily bread.

Today’s recipe is a twist on one of my all time favorites, honey whole wheat bread. I’ve taken that delicious recipe and added oats for a homemade loaf with extra texture and flavor. This version is just as good as the original, but different enough to shake things up. You can never have too much variety, after all!

As always, I’ll be sharing my tips for making the best bread. I promise it’s not hard to do, and once you take your first bite, you’ll be hooked. Nothing beats a loaf of homemade bread!

Get the Cookbook!

Special Announcement: My 100% Whole Wheat Yeast Breads with Freshly Milled Flour cookbook is finally available! Inside it you’ll find my best-of-the-best recipes for all different types of yeast breads from cinnamon rolls to pizza crust. You’ll also find wonderful information about grain options, freshly milled flour nutrition, and tips and tricks for baking with whole wheat flour. Get your copy today!

Fresh Milled Flour for the Win

Everyone wants to know the secret to the best homemade breads. In my opinion, it’s all about the flour. I freshly mill all of my flour from wheat berries. You can more about the benefits of freshly milled flour here or in my cookbook.

In a nutshell: you get the absolute best nutrition and flavor within the first hours and days after milling your grains. You also get to customize your flour texture and grain blends while saving money. Plus, it’s an easy-peasy process that takes very little time. Totally worth the small amount of effort it requires!

Tips for the Best Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread

Due to the addition of oats, this bread dough can be a little bit tricky. I find it to be more starchy and slightly heavier than dough made without oats. Here is what I’ve found helps in turning out a fantastic loaf:

• I like to knead this dough a bit longer than my normal wheat bread dough, but don’t go too crazy.
• Let this honey oat bread dough rise until fully doubled, but don’t let to go too much further than that. It will take a bit longer to rise than bread without oats. This recipe turns out best when made with extra care.
• Keep an eye on bake time. I like to err on the side of longer baking to ensure this bread is cooked through.
• This bread can dry out and become crumbly faster than a traditional loaf of whole wheat bread. I recommend eating it fresh or getting it sliced and stored in the freezer as soon as possible.

I promise that the flavor of this bread is worth the extra care that it requires. It’s delightful!

Supplies and Ingredients

Supplies

• Stand mixer with dough hook attachment or large mixing bowl and spoon
• 3 (8″x4″) bread pans

Ingredients

• 3 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup sunflower lecithin (optional but highly recommended)
• 1 1/2 rolled oats
• 10-11 cups (100-1150 grams) freshly milled whole wheat flour

How to Make Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread

Activate the Yeast

Pour warm water in your bowl or mixer (with dough hook) and add the yeast to the water. Stir slightly and let sit for 10 minutes to activate.

Mixing the Dough

Add to the water and yeast mixture the honey, olive oil, eggs, salt, lecithin and oats. Mix these ingredients together until well incorporated. While your mixer is running at low speed, add the flour a cup at a time. Continue adding in the flour until the dough starts to pull from the edges.

Knead/mix the dough for at least 6-8 minutes to help the gluten structures form and get stretchy.

First Rise

Oil a large bowl, transfer the dough to the bowl, and cover with plastic wrap or a moist tea towel.

Let the dough rise until doubled.  

Shaping the Loaves

Prepare your bread pans by greasing the bottom and sides.

Dump your bread dough onto a slightly wet or floured surface.  Divide the dough into 3 equal portions.  Press out into rectangles, and roll into a bread loaf shape, tucking in the ends and pinching the seams. 

Place each loaf of dough in a prepared loaf pan.

Second Rise

Cover the bread pans and let the dough rise in the pans until almost doubled.

Baking Instructions

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.  

If desired, prepare an egg wash and brush over the tops of the dough.  Sprinkle the top with oats.  You could also do this after it is cooking by brushing your loaves with melted butter and sprinkling with oats.

Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. 

Allow your bread to cool on a wire rack.

Storing

You can wrap leftovers in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, place wrapped bread in an air-tight container and keep in the refrigerator. You can even freeze leftover bread in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to a few weeks.

Printable Recipe Card for Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread

Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread Serving Suggestions

A slice of whole wheat honey oat bread makes excellent toast or sandwich bread. It’s delicious plain or lathered in butter. A perfect companion for a bowl of soup!

Remember how I mentioned earlier that the addition of oats means this bread may dry out a bit faster than an all wheat loaf? If your bread goes stale before you can use it all, or your loaf falls while baking, all is not lost. Try chopping it up your remaining bread and toasting it in the oven. You can serve this with warm milk, cinnamon and honey.

You can also drizzle cubed bread with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings before toasting for homemade croutons. Another great idea is to toast extra bread in the oven and crush it to make bread crumbs (seasoned or not) for cooking. So many possibilities!

Where to Buy Breadmaking Supplies

Need an easy way to get all your bread baking supplies and ingredients without spending hours researching? I’ve done all the trial and error for you and put together the TIDBITS & Company Bread Making Supplies Moonsift page. Here you’ll find all of my favorite bread making items along with links and product descriptions. Check it out!

More Recipes Like This

I hope you’ve enjoyed this honey oat bread recipe!

This variation on classic honey wheat bread is incredibly delicious. Give it a try and see what I mean.

After baking bread at home with freshly milled flour, you’ll never want store-bought bread again! (You’ve been warned) 😉

Need some more bread recipes made with freshly milled flour? I’ve got plenty to choose from!

• Brioche Bread Recipe Made with Fresh Milled Flour
• Honey Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
• Homemade French Bread with Fresh Milled Flour
• Whole Grain Pretzels Recipe with Fresh Milled Flour
• Delicious Crescent Rolls Recipe with Fresh Milled Flour
• Healthy Whole Wheat Breadsticks | Quick and Easy!
• 100% Whole Wheat Focaccia Bread Recipe
• Recipe for Homemade Pita Bread with Fresh Milled Flour
• Easy Naan Flatbread Recipe with Fresh Milled Flour