Whole Quinoa Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I use quinoa flour instead of bread flour? ›

First of all, it's good to know just how versatile quinoa flour is. It creates a soft baked good but is also wonderful for making bread and is a fantastic all-purpose type of flour. Quinoa flour is especially great for baking gluten-free bread because of its protein content.

I don't love using gums, so I rely on high protein flours like quinoa flour. It helps to provide structure and rise to baked goods, while also adding protein and fiber on the nutrition side of things.

For one thing, bran and germ soak up water, which can dry out a loaf and make it crumbly–and largely for this reason, bakers cannot simply substitute whole grain for white. Rather, recipes must be entirely recomposed.

Gluten is important for giving the dough – and final loaves – structure. Without it, loaves tend to end up flat and dense. One trick is to add some white all-purpose flour along with the whole wheat flour. Even just a little white flour has enough gluten to give the dough better structure.

For instance, when substituting quinoa flour for all-purpose flour, a general guideline is to use a ratio of 1.5 cups of quinoa flour for every 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Because quinoa flour lacks gluten, which contributes to the structure and texture in baked goods, results will vary based on the specific recipe.

The healthiest bread flour is 100% whole grain flour. Whole grain flour could be rye, barley, spelt, oat, or wheat flour - the key is that the flour is made from 100% whole grains. Whole grain breads provide essential nutrients that are lacking in bread made from white flour.

This powerful little grain is a great addition to any diet, but is an ideal solution for those following a gluten free, vegan or vegetarian diet. This flour is also an excellent choice for those looking for a more healthful twist on standard baked goods and pan-fried favorites such as breads, pancakes and waffles.

Some find it bitter, but I find that toasting the quinoa beforehand helps with the bitterness. You should know that it's not going to taste like all-purpose flour and that It goes best in recipes that have other bold flavors, like cocoa powder and warming spices.

Grind the quinoa until it's a fine powder. You can choose to sieve the quinoa flour, depending on your preference. Store the quinoa flour in an airtight container in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. And there you go!

Whole Wheat: A Classic Choice

Whole wheat flour is the most common grain used in bread making. It has a nutty, earthy flavor and creates a dense, chewy loaf. Whole wheat flour is also high in fiber, protein, and minerals, making it a healthy choice for bread baking.

What is the secret to softer bread? ›

Dense or heavy bread can be caused by not kneading the dough enough, not letting the dough rise enough, or using too much flour. To fix this issue: try kneading the dough for longer or allowing it to rise for a longer period. You can also try adding a little more liquid to the dough or using a higher protein flour.

Look for “whole grain,” “whole wheat,” or “whole meal” on the label. If a loaf contains 6 grams of fiber per 100 g, it's rich in fiber. Choose breads with plenty of intact grains, like oats, barley, and quinoa, as well as seeds, if you can eat these. Watch out for mass-produced sourdough breads.

In a nutshell, if you're buying basic, cheap sandwich bread, it's probably cheaper than you can make it at home. But if you compare two loaves similar to what you could make at home — one made with high-quality ingredients as opposed to one made with lesser quality ingredients — home baking becomes much cheaper.

If you sift flour, it becomes aerated and less dense. “A cup of flour sifted before measuring will weigh 20 to 30 percent less than a cup of flour sifted after measuring — a difference that can make a huge impact on the texture of finished baked goods,” Cook's Illustrated says.

You can use all-purpose flour as a 1:1 substitute for bread flour and vice-versa. For example, for 1 cup of bread flour, you can use 1 cup of all-purpose flour.