Delicious hearty homemade Multigrain Bread is loaded with oats, flax seed and whole wheat flour.
This bread is perfect for sandwiches or toasted and topped with butter and jam.
Hearty homemade bread
This multigrain bread is a hearty delicious loaf of bread. It's perfect for making a sandwich or toasting for breakfast.
It's filled with good for you ingredients that make a great taste and texture. The dough is very dense, but then it rises and bakes into a beautiful loaf with a great crumb.
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- White Wheat Flour - A whole grain flour made with white wheat instead of the more traditional red wheat. White wheat flour is lighter in flavor, color and taste.
- All-purpose flour can be used instead of the white wheat flour
- Bulgur or Cracked Wheat - Bulgur is cracked wheat that has been parboiled. If you can't find bulgur you can use cracked wheat, but you'll want to soak it first. Cracked wheat can be found in most health food stores in their bulk section.
- Old Fashioned Oats - Adds texture and taste to the bread. Use old-fashioned or rolled oats instead of one-minute or instant oats.
- Sunflower Seeds - Use raw and unsalted seeds
- Flax Seeds - Adds a great texture. Flax seeds are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Vital Wheat Gluten - Helps improve the elasticity of the dough and creates a beautiful crumb in the loaf.
- Yeast - I use active dry yeast
Step by step directions
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Put warm water, yeast and honey into a mixing bowl
- Allow mixture to become bubbly
- Add flax seeds, wheat germ, oats and bulgur
- Mix in oil, salt and vital wheat gluten
- Add one cup of flour and sunflower seeds. Continue add flour one cup at a time.
- Remove dough from bowl and knead for 8-10 minutes until nice and elastic
- Place dough in a covered container and allow dough to rise until doubled, about 1 ½ - 2 hours
- Gently deflate dough. Divide in half and form into loaves
- Place in grease bread pans. Cover and let rise for about 30-40 minutes
- Brush top of loaves with an egg white wash and sprinkle with oats
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 35-40 minutes
- Remove bread from pan and cool on a baking rack
Recipe tips
- This is a very dense dough. You may need to use a spatula to push the dough down so it blends together.
- You may not need to add all the flour. Add just enough so the dough is no longer sticky.
- I hand knead this dough, because it is so dense.
- Rising time will vary depending on your ingredients and the temperature in your kitchen
- For best results, allow bread to fully cool before slicing
Frequently asked questions
Yes, multigrain bread can be frozen. Allow loaves to fully cool then slice bread if desired. Place in a freezer-safe bag or wrap in plastic wrap and then foil. Frozen bread is best used within one month.
Use an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf. Fully baked bread should reach 190°F.
You can also test without a thermometer. Look for loaves that have a nice golden color, are beginning to pull away from the sides just slightly and when tapped on the top, loaves should have a slightly hollow sound.
More delicious bread recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my bread recipes.
Multigrain Bread
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups warm water
- 4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packages)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 cup bulgur (bulgur is cracked wheat that has been parboiled and is usually finer ground. )
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds (unsalted)
- ½ cup wheat germ
- ½ cup flax seeds
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ¼ cup vital wheat gluten
- 4- 4½ cups white whole wheat flour
Topping
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ cup oats
Instructions
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer add water and honey. Sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit for 5 minutes.2 ½ cups warm water, 4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast, ¼ cup honey
- Stir in bulgur, wheat germ, flax seeds and oats.1 cup bulgur, 1 cup old fashioned oats, ½ cup wheat germ, ½ cup flax seeds
- Add oil, salt and vital wheat gluten. Mix on low speed.½ cup canola oil, 1 tablespoon salt, ¼ cup vital wheat gluten
- Add 1 cup of flour and sunflower seeds. Continue adding flour one cup at a time, mixing between each cup. You might not need all the flour. Once you've added 4 cups, begin adding a bit more until the dough comes together but isn't too dry.4- 4½ cups white whole wheat flour, 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- Knead by hand for 8-10 minutes
- Remove dough to a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean dry towel.
- Let rise until doubled, approximately 1 ½ hours.
- Lightly punch dough down and place on a clean surface.
- Divide dough in half. Shape into loaves and place in a greased bread pan.
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Cover and let rise for at least 30 minutes until loaf is about 1 inch over the top of the pan.
- Mix egg white together with water. Brush over the top of loaves and sprinkle with oats.1 egg white, 1 tablespoon water, ¼ cup oats
- Bake in a preheated 400°F degree oven for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove bread from pan within 5 minutes after baking.
- Let bread fully cool on a baking rack before slicing.
Notes
- Bulgur wheat is cracked wheat that has been parboiled and is often ground a bit finer. If using cracked wheat, soak the cracked wheat in a cup of boiling water for about 15 minutes. Drain off any excess water.
- This is a very dense dough. You may need to use a spatula to push the dough down so it blends together.
- You may not need to add all the flour. Add just enough so the dough is no longer sticky.
- I hand knead this dough, because it is so dense.
- Rising time will vary depending on your ingredients and the temperature in your kitchen
- For best results, allow bread to fully cool before slicing
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Amanda says
Homemade bread would definitely work for my birthday too! I could really use a couple slices of this right now!
Kathy says
No need to wait for a birthday!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I love my mom's bread - she made a potato bread that I think of often. I'm sure your boys loved this - a wonderful, happy birthday to them!
Kathy says
Potato bread is the best - so soft and delicious. You've inspired me to go make a loaf!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Bread for my birthday? That's the first thing I'd ask for every year!! Happy Birthday to your boys!! I love your bread recipes, btw! I still need to make your No-Knead Artisan Bread!!
Kathy says
Time to get baking, Annie! Don't wait any longer 🙂
Adina says
Happy Birthday to your boys! The bread looks fantastic, homemade bread is something that I bring to people on their birthdays too sometimes, but of course mostly to grown up women and not boys. 🙂
Kathy says
Give them a few more years....then they'll be loving a love of homemade bread!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Happy HAPPY birthday to your boys!! I would have been thrilled if someone made me this bread for my birthday, because homemade bread rocks my world! Seriously, it makes the house smell SO good and the taste is just amazing. I love that you added sunflower seeds to this! I bet this makes THE most delicious sandwiches or french toast!! Can't wait to try it! Cheers, friend!
Kathy says
Homemade bread does make the house smell amazing!
Priscilla Martel says
Lovely recipe. #BreadMakestheMeal
Kathy says
Thank you!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Happy Birthday to your boys! I had no idea you had twins! You can bake me 2 or 3 loaves of this bread for my birthday!
Kathy says
Just let me know when it it....I'll send a birthday loaf in the mail! 🙂
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
Happy belated birthday to your boys 😉 I think homemade bread is a great way to celebrate!
Kathy says
I know! I can't believe they wanted cake!!!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I would actually love a loaf of homemade bread for my birthday! Especially when if it looked as delicious as this recipe.
Kathy says
Thanks, Nicole!
Ashley says
Happy birthday to your boys!! I also would totally love homemade bread as a gift! There is just something about it - so good! This loaf sounds fantastic!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
I would consider this a great birthday treat! I love the addition of all the seeds in this bread (sesame, flax, sunflower) and I agreed this would be excellent toasted with jam! Take care.
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
I'd love a loaf of this for my birthday too!!! Looks so good, it doesn't seem to require any butter. And Happy Birthday to your boys!!!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
Happy birthday to your boys!! I just love homemade bread....the whole process of making it and, of course, eating it 😉 And the smell as it bakes is just the best! Yours looks fantastic. Would love a slice right now smeared with some butter 🙂 Pinned! Have a great week, Kathy!
Kathy says
It's hard to eat bread without the butter....unless it's spread with jam! 🙂
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Happy Birthday to your boys. Homemade bread is the best. Just perfect looking slices of multigrain bread. Love the addition of sunflower seeds.
Kathy says
I love eating bread....especially homemade bread!
David @ Spiced says
I do love bread with sunflower seeds in it! I'd happily take this one for my birthday any year! 🙂
Kathy says
Seeded bread is awesome!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Is there anything better than a freshly baked loaf of bread? I will take this for my birthday any old time. 🙂
Kathy says
We should start a new movement....bread instead of cake! 🙂
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Hi Kathy - I love using vital wheat gluten in my bread. It really helps the rise. This is such a beautiful loaf, it inspires me to get baking. This is such a healthy bread and looks delicious for sandwiches and toasting. Or warm with butter and cinnamon sugar. I am really getting carried away here!!! A very happy birthday to your boys!
Kathy says
Toasted with cinnamon and sugar is always great!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Happy birthday to the boys! I'm with you though Kathy, I'd love a loaf of that bread! It looks delicious. Definitely pinning this one!
Kathy says
Thanks, Mary Ann! I love everything about homemade bread...the making, the rising, the baking, and definitely the eating!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
First of all Happy birthday to the boys! Secondly, these loaves look unbelievable! I love to bake bread but haven't done it in a while. You gave me an incentive and I will use your recipe. ?
Kathy says
I hope you love it as much as I do! Happy baking 🙂
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com says
Happy Birthday to your two boys! I am sure they love the treats you prepared for them. I would have been totally happy with freshly baked bread, so delicious and comforting!
Kathy says
Who needs cake when you can have fresh baked bread with butter??? 🙂