Soft and Fluffy Seeded Sandwich Bread
This soft seeded sandwich bread is like your favorite supermarket bread that is filled with all kinds of whole grains and seeds. It is fluffy and hearty and is essentially a no-knead bread recipe.
Overview of Recipe
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Techniques Used: Stretch and Fold Method, Shaping Bread for a Loaf Tin
If I buy bread in the supermarket for sandwiches, I want the kind that is filled with all the grains and seeds. The more the merrier!
This is like your favorite store bought bread, but better! It is soft and fluffy and filled with lots of seeds and whole grains for incredible depth of flavor and texture.
I also should note that this is a high hydration dough, meaning that there is quite a bit of moisture in it. This means that the dough is quite sticky, but it allows the bread to have a fluffy texture even with the amount of whole grains and seeds that are included.
Don’t fret! The method for mixing the dough is a no-knead method. We will be using the stretch and fold method, which is a gentler process and much easier than kneading! I use this same method for my favorite 100% whole wheat bread recipe too. It creates a beautiful loaf!
How to Make the Seeded Sandwich Bread
The process of making this bread is quite simple. There is no kneading required, and you definite don’t need a stand mixer!
Step 1: Proof the Yeast
We’re going to start by proofing our yeast, which is the process of hydrating it and giving it a bit of sugar to wake it up.
Stir your yeast into your warm water with a bit of sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes. You want to see little bubbles and some frothing on top to know that your yeast is alive. If you don’t see anything, your yeast may be old or your water might have been too warm.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
While the yeast is proofing, you can get the rest of your ingredients combined. We are using a variety of whole grains and seeds in this bread including: whole wheat flour, rolled oats, flax seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.
This the combination I prefer in my seeded bread, but you can feel free to play around with the types of seeds and grains! Make it your own if you like!
Once all of your other ingredients are mixed together, you can pour the water/yeast mixture into the bowl and stir until the dough is starting to come together. It will be really sticky and shaggy.
Note: If you want to keep this recipe completely vegan, you can swap out the honey with agave syrup or use regular sugar instead.
At this point, I like to get my hands in the dough and finish mixing so that I can be sure that all of the flour is completely combined. Remember, we are not going to be kneading this dough, so it is important that it is well combined at this step.
Once your dough is well mixed, cover it and let it sit for about 15 minutes before the first round of stretch and folds. I like to use shower caps to cover my bowls because they fit perfectly and you can rinse them out and re-use them many times.
Step 3: Stretch and Fold the Dough
The process of stretching and folding the dough helps the build the gluten structure in a more gentle way than kneading. It allows the dough to have a high hydration as well as a lot of whole grains and seeds.
To start the process, get your hand wet (wet hands do not stick to wet dough). Scoop underneath the dough in the bowl, pulling up on one side.
Stretch the dough up as far as it will go without breaking, and then fold it down over itself. Continue around the bowl, stretching and folding until the dough starts forming into a more structured ball of dough.
If you start the video below, it will start at the part where I show the stretch and folds.
You want to do 4 rounds total of stretch and folds, about every 15 minutes. You will notice the dough gaining more strength and structure each time.
Step 4: Bulk Ferment (1st Rise)
After you’re done building the gluten structure through the stretch and folds, we are going to let the dough finish rising. This part of the process is called “bulk fermentation.”
If you used rapid rise or quick rise yeast this process will go a little faster than if you used active dry yeast.
To check that your dough is done rising, you can cut off a small piece of it and drop it in some water. If it floats, you are good to move onto shaping. If it doesn’t you need to give it more time.
Be careful when you cut off the piece of dough that you don’t press all of the air out of it, or it will never float!
Step 5: Shaping the Loaves
The full recipe makes two loaves of bread. I like to make two at a time because then I can freeze one for later. However, you can make a half recipe to make only one loaf.
To start the shaping process, dump all of the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide in in half. I just eyeball it, but you can weigh it if you want to be exact.
Gently spread the dough out to a rectangular shape and pres the air out of it. You can sprinkle a bit of flour on top of the dough, but don’t be too liberal with it. You want the dough to be able to stick to itself as you shape it.
Shape it by pulling out on the edges of the dough and then rolling it down into itself. This dough is very sticky, so by light with your touch. You don’t want to squeeze it.
Shaping sticky dough takes some practice. Be patient and keep trying. If it isn’t perfect, it’s okay! It will still taste great!
Once your loaves are shaped, transfer them into a 1 lb loaf pan that has been greased with non-stick spray. Press down on each one gently to make sure there are no air pockets. Then cover them to proof (2nd rise).
Step 4: Proof
After the loaves are shaped they need to proof. Proofing is the rise after shaping and allows the dough to get puffy and full of air before it goes into the oven.
You can tell your dough is done proofing when they have crowned the pan. I like to do a quick egg wash over the top of the dough and sprinkle with some oats before baking. This is optional and you can use just a bit of oil if you prefer.
Step 5: Bake
The loaves will bake until they are golden brown and sound hallow if you knock on them. If you want to be really sure that your bread is baked through, you can stick a thermometer into the side of the loaf right in the center. It should be about 190 – 200 F (87-93 C).
Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack when they come out of the oven.
Step 6: Cooling
One of the hardest, but most important, parts of baking bread is waiting for it to cool. But please try to practice restraint!
Let your loaves cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Cutting into hot bread can lead to a gummy texture and can cause the bread to stale much more quickly.
FAQ
- Can I substitute for different seeds in this recipe?: Yes! If you don’t have the seeds on hand that I call for, you can substitute them with seeds that you do have available.
- Why did my bread turn out dense?: If your bread ends up coming out dense it is likely that it either was under proofed or over proofed. Make sure your dough has crowned the pan and is full of air before baking. But bake it before it looks like it is starting to have a weak structure and might collapse soon.
- Can I freeze this bread?: YES! I like to freeze one of the loaves. Let it cool completely and then wrap it well and freeze it for up to 3 months. To refresh, let it thaw in the wrapping at room temperature. Then get the outside of the loaf slightly damp, and place it in a 325 F (160 C) oven for about 15 minutes. Comes out like fresh!
MORE RECIPES FROM BAKER BETTIE!
If you enjoyed this bread recipe, you might like to try these other recipes – perfect for making sandwiches.
Soft Seeded Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
For a Full Batch (makes 2 loaves)
- 600 gr (2 1/2 cups, 600 ml) slightly warm water (around 110-125 F, 43-51 C)
- 7 gr (1 package, 2 1/4 tsp) active dry or rapid rise yeast
- about 1 tsp of sugar (to proof yeast)
- 540 gr (4 1/2 cups) bread flour or unbleached all purpose flour
- 210 gr (1 3/4 cup) whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 50 gr (1/2 cup) rolled oats
- 30 gr (1/4 cup) sesame seeds (white or black)
- 60 gr (1/2 cup) sunflower seeds
- 20 gr (2 tbsp) flax seeds or flax meal
- 56 gr (1/4 cup, 60 ml) neutral flavored oil
- 60 gr (3 tbsp) honey or agave syrup
For a Half Batch (makes 1 loaf)
- 300 gr (1 1/2 cup, 300 ml) slightly warm water (around 110-125 F, 43-51 C)
- 4 gr (1/2 package, 1 1/8 tsp) active dry or rapid rise yeast
- about 1/2 tsp of sugar (to proof yeast)
- 270 gr (2 1/4 cups) bread flour or unbleached all purpose flour
- 105 gr (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp) whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 25 gr (1/4 cup) rolled oats
- 15 gr (2 tbsp) sesame seeds (white or black)
- 30 gr (1/4 cup) sunflower seeds
- 10 gr (1 tbsp) flax seeds or flax meal
- 28 gr (2 tbsp, 30 ml) neutral flavored oil
- 30 gr (1 1/2 tsp) honey or agave syrup
Instructions
Note: if you are new to bread baking, I highly recommend you watching the video below to see how to make it!
- PROOF YEAST: Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until the yeast dissolves. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes. If it is slightly frothy and you can see bubbles forming on top, then your yeast is active. If you don't see any activity, your yeast is likely too old or your water was too warm and your yeast is not alive.
- MIX DOUGH: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, whole wheat flour, salt, rolled oats, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Stir until well combined. Add the oil, honey or agave, and water/yeast mixture into the bowl. Use a silicon spatula or mixing spoon to stir until the dough starts to come together. It will be very wet. Use your hands to finish mixing the dough until there are no dry patches of flour left. I like to do this by grabbing the dough with my whole hand and squeezing and pinching all over to make sure there are no hidden pockets of dry flour. Cover the bowl with a shower cap, plastic wrap, or a damp towel and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- STRETCH AND FOLD: During the next hour, you will do 4 rounds of stretch and folds about every 15 minutes. This is a gentler way of developing the gluten structure without kneading and allows for more moisture and whole grains in the bread which will give it better texture. The video gives a good demonstration of stretch and folds, but to do this: get your hand wet and scoop underneath the dough pulling up on one side. Stretch the piece of dough up as far as it will go without tearing and fold it down over itself. Rotate the bowl 90 degrees and do another stretch and fold. Go all the way around the bowl until the dough is holding into a more structured ball. Cover the bowl and let it sit for about 15 more minutes before doing your next round. Do this a total of 4 times.
- FERMENT (1ST RISE): Cover the bowl after your last round of stretch and folds and let it sit at room temperature until double in size and filled with air. This will take about 30 more minutes if using quick rise yeast and 1 hour if using active dry yeast.
- SHAPE: Grease one or two standard loaf pans (8.5 X 4.5 X 2.5- 1 lb loaf pans) pans on the sides and bottoms. Turn the dough out onto the lightly floured surface and lightly push the air out of the dough with the palm of your hand. Cut the dough into two equal pieces if making a full batch. Gently pat each piece of dough into a rectangle (about the shape of the loaf pan). Tightly form each piece of dough into a loaf. (Watch the video tutorial for details about how to properly do this.)
- PROOF: Place the formed loaves into the pans and gently press down on them with the palm of your hand to ensure they evenly fill the pan. Cover the shaped dough and let them proof at room temperature until the loaves are beginning to crown the pan. This will take about 1 hour for rapid rise yeast and 2 hours for active dry yeast.
- BAKE: Preheat oven to 350°F (180 C). If you want a shiny brown crust, mix 1 egg with 1 tbsp of water and brush it on the tops of your loaves. Alternatively, you can brush them with oil or spray with non-stick spray. I also like to sprinkle a few oats over the top of the loaves. Bake loaves on the center rack for 35-45 minutes until golden brown. The center of the loaves should read 190-200 F (87-93 C) when fully baked.
- Let cool on baking racks for at least 2 hrs before slicing with a serrated knife. Slicing into a loaf of bread before it is cooled can cause it to have a gummy texture and to stale more quickly.
- STORE cooled bread in a plastic bag at room temperature for 4 days. Alternatively, you can slice the loaves and place them in the freezer in a freezer bag. Toast to refresh. Refrigerating bread will cause it to stale more quickly.
64 Comments on “Soft and Fluffy Seeded Sandwich Bread”
Hi Bettie
Thanks for a beautiful recipe! I was wondering could I use my sourdough starter instead of yeast in this recipe? Also if yes, how much? And is there any modifications to the recipe if I use my starter?
Thanks for time’
Hi Marie! I’m going to need to test it. I have had a few people ask and I haven’t tried it yet so I don’t have recommendations on the timing. I will be making the full recipe but will be using 120 gr starter and removing 60 gr water and 60 gr flour. The process will be the same but the timings will be longer. I’ll let you know!
Hi Betty, did you ever try this? I am curious.
I’m interested in adapting this to use my sourdough starter. Have you ever tried it?
I made this today in my bread machine because I didn’t have time to be with the bread dough through its stages. It worked wonderfully and came out delicious. Still soft and with an open crumb, but not as open as doing stretch and folds would have yielded. I should also note I subbed pumpkin seeds for the sunflower seeds and unsweetened stewed apples for the entirety of the liquid (just because I wanted to use it up from my freezer). Delicious!
Thanks for reporting back Monica! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. You modifications sound delicious!
Thank you for this recipe. It has quickly become my husband’s favorite bread. The second time I made it, I had no honey so I used molasses instead which resulted nice golden loaves with a slightly different flavor. But, it didn’t disappoint. Hoping today’s bake (the third) will turn out as good.
Thank you, love learning to bake with you.
Molasses is a great idea! So glad you like it!
I am still in the process of making mine but using the same ingredients mine came out dryer than yours. I actually had to add a little more water to it. Will that affect it in any way.
While mixing and you think it’s a tad dry, then yes add a splash of water until it looks right.
Hi Bettie,
Like your techniques of bread baking, need some expert advice about how to make a loaf of bread with Bob’s red mill 10 grain hot cereal mix.
Appreciate
Sean.
Hi Sean,
I’m so glad you like my techniques! I haven’t used that mix so I am unfamiliar with it.
I’ve tried a lot of different recipes trying for a good sandwich bread. Finally found it – this is it! Definitely a bit of a challenge to shape but turned out decent. Thanks!
I’m so glad Sandy! The shaping comes with a bit of practice.
Hi! I attempted this recipe and found very quickly that my dough looked nothing like the video 🙂 I followed the recipe exactly and had to actually add water at the beginning to make it more wet. I’m wondering if it’s because I used hard red whole wheat? Did you use soft white whole wheat? I know that is usually lighter than hard red.
I hope to try again because the result was still tasty! Just not as large of loaves.
Thanks!
Hi Leah, were you measuring by weight or by volume? I’m wondering if you possibly ended up with some extra flour in your dough if you measured by volume. I use King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour which is a hard red winter wheat. I do not typically use white whole wheat flour. If your flour was freshly milled however, it can absorb more liquid or if you live somewhere that is very dry. You can always increase the hydration if needed.
I did use freshly milled, so that might be why! Good to know. Thank you!
Hi!! I made this bread today following all the directions and formula and it came out great!! Just like the pictures! It’s very soft and flavorful! I wonder if next time I can use more whole wheat flour… like maybe 50/50?
Should I increase the water amount?
Thank you!!
I wonder the same…
In your direction #8; “Let cool on baking racks for at least 2 hrs “. Are you cooling it in the pan or out of the pan?
You can do either but I suggest cooling them in the pan for at least 20 minutes and then tipping them out of the pan directly onto the cooling rack.
Your explanations are incredible!!!
Thank you so much for your work
You’re welcome!
As usual, you were right and this is the best sandwich bread! I have this every morning with a bit of honey or jam.
While making a batch today, between stretch and folds, I was feeding my sourdough starter and I was curious if you thought adding a bit of discard would add to depth of flavor or just damage finish product. It’s too late in the process to add now but if you think it is worth a try please let me know and I’ll give it a go next time.
Thanks and be well!
Jordan
I do have a sourdough sandwich bread recipe that I think you will love! You can find it my searching on my website.
How can I use my SD starter in this recipe?
How can I use my SD starter in this recipe? I’ve tried and love your SD sandwich loaf recipe but I’d like a part wheat with seeds recipe using SD starter
I really want to try this! My mother likes me to make bread instead of her having to buy it, and my dad doesn’t like us to have white bread. Would this work if I used all whole wheat flour instead of part whole wheat, part bread/all-purpose?
I’m wondering the same, but I’m not sure it would be just as soft. And I guess the amount of water would increase, right? Let me know if you gave it a try and how it came out.
I bake a lot of different breads but no more! Now this is the ONLY bread I make. Incredibly moist and so flavorful. So easy. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!!!
Do you have nutrition facts for this bread
I’m sorry, I do not.
Hi bettie
Just made this recipe , waiting last proving for 1hour. My question is that I forgot to add salt to the flour, will it still rise and bake? Thank you.
It will still rise and bake but you will want to watch it rising. Without salt to control it, the yeast can go out of control and rise much more quickly.
My first try (1 loaf recipe) came out great! But then i tried to make 2 loafs but by the third stretch and fold the dough was still dry and seems like the gluten didn’t develop. Everything was measured exactly like your recipe. Even after the 4th stretch and fold, just a small stretch would ripped the dough. What did I do wrong?
Thank you!
Everything went well until I popped it in the oven. I did the dough float test, let it double in size (rise time was about 1.5 hours instead of 2 but I was making soup at the time so kitchen temp and humidity was good). I didn’t get an oven spring. The bread fell flat. Too much rise time or not enough?
I suspect not enough time. Make sure not to open your oven door at all. That can release too much heat quickly and can cause it to collapse.
Okay thanks. Will definitely try recipe again as, even though the bread is rectangular, it’s still light and not dense at all. And it’s so delicious !!!!
Success! I made the 2 loaf recipe and all turned out beautiful. The only difference, I did the “poke” test on the dough. Letting it cool and will devour tomorrow lol.
Great job! Enjoy!
Baked this bread (a single loaf) yesterday for my husband. Very easy. He hasn’t eaten it yet because it was still too warm to slice last evening. Just used my electric deli slicer to slice the loaf and I’m sure he will enjoy it. My only thoughts will be to hold back a bit of the water next time as the dough was very, very soft yielding an almost too tender loaf. I will proof the yeast in 1/2 cup of the warm water and then add additional liquid a little at a time. Thanks for an excellently written recipe and great instructional videos on YouTube.
Hi! Happy New Year and thank you for the recipe. I’m proofing my loaf now and I can’t wait. Just one thing I noticed – I believe the amount of honey for 1 loaf should be 1.5 tbsp instead of tsp as you have indicated on your post. 🙂
Great recipe! And technique…huge loaf will divide single recipe …but very light….i have had a terrible time trying to produce a good whole wheat seeded loaf…..will be making weekly…Thanks!
Can I use a mixer to knead the bread instead of the fold method? Thanks!
You can! Use the dough hook attachment 🙂
Can I use a mixer to knead the bread instead of the fold method? Thanks!
Hello I was wondering if you had a chance to test this recipe using the sourdough starter. I tried this recipe as written and it’s amazing! But would love to try it using my sourdough starter as well.
Hi! I haven’t but you could add some seeds to my “Sourdough Sandwich Bread” recipe on my site.
Your bread was very good. Thanx for the recipe!
you’re welcome!
PS Thanx for putting in cups measurements for those of us who dont have a scale!
You’re welcome! Although I do encourage you to buy a kitchen scale. Measuring by weight is the most accurate. 🙂
Hi Bettie,
I’ve made this recipe twice now and both times my dough has not seemed stretch properly. When I do the stretch and fold my dough tears as soon as it is folded over. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong?
It may need more time to proof. Give it a bit longer and see how it does.
Hello Betty, Just wondering if you have the nutritional info for this bread? I’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes. Trying to find the healthiest bread recipe This is my favorite bread recipe, I hope I can still have it
We love this bread!! I rolled my shaped loaf in a combination of the oats, flax, sunflower seeds, and black & white sesame seeds.
Is there a way to make this using some sourdough starter?!! I think that would be a wonderful addition to another great recipe!!
Good day,
I have made your sourdough sandwich loaves since the 2020 covid mess. I also enjoy the seeded yeast sandwich loaf recipe. How can I encorporate the seeds to the sourdough loaf. Ingredients and quantities are similar except for the liquid portion. Would you please let me know how to add the seeds to the sourdough recipe.
Thank you.
I don’t have any whole wheat flour on hand, would using all all-purpose white still work?
Hi Betty… all I have is glass Pyrex loaf pan .. should I make any adjustments while using this type of loaf pan Thank you
Reduce the oven temp by 25 degrees F and bake for the same amount of time in the recipe. Enjoy!
Hi Bettie,
This recipe sounds wonderful, however am wanting to test it first using the recipe halved. I am wondering why all ingredients seemed to be half except for the water used. In the full recipe there are 2 1/2 cups listed & in the half batch the water listed is 1 1/2 cup. Is this correct, or should it be 1 1/4 cup?
Also, the half of 3 tbsp honey would be 1 1/2 tbsp, not 1 1/2 tsp…….is this correct? Thanks.
Many thanks Baker Bettie.
I made this recipe yesterday 14.08.24. It came out so good and tastes so good too!
I didn’t have sunflower seeds so I used pumpkin seeds instead.
I was excited when the dough floating test passed!
Thanks so very much!
Made this today and it’s the best seeded sandwich loaf I’ve ever made!!!its soft and pillowy!!
Wonderful! Glad you like it!