Oatmeal Bread Machine Recipe for the Best Toast (+ Video)
Sneak Peek: This Bread Machine Oatmeal Bread with Sunflower Seeds has a non-assertive but mildly nutty flavor that’s perfect for sandwiches and toast. Mix and knead the dough in a bread maker and bake it in a traditional oven.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you having trouble selling your family basic white bread? I’m betting they will go for this oatmeal bread recipe packed with sunflower seeds.
I guarantee your tasters won’t detect the oatmeal. If they object to seeds, leave them out. However, the seeds add interest and suggest the taste of peanut butter.
All you need is some jelly for toast, or cold cuts and veggies to put together a terrific sandwich containing tons of fiber.
If you want inspiration and exclusive tips, add your email and press the button. (Don't worry. I won't sell your email.)
No worries if you don’t have a bread machine. See the recipe notes for details on making this recipe by hand or with a stand mixer.
Why you will love this Honey Oat Bread:
- This recipe is an easy bread machine recipe–straightforward and easy to assemble. If you are new to the bread machine world, be sure to read these 6 tips for beginners.
- You can use a bread maker to mix the dough and knead it for an exquisite texture that is difficult to achieve with hand-kneading. Note the circular pattern in the bread pictured above.
- The crust is soft and flavorful, not like cardboard because the loaf is baked in a traditional oven.
- The crumb is also soft, well-organized, and finely textured—the perfect base for condiments, butter, or jelly.
- Shape the loaf by hand to ensure you end up with a beautiful loaf instead of a bread machine mutant.
- Customize this recipe to your heart’s content. Get some ideas from the variations listed below.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- MILK: You can use any dairy milk you have, but of course, whole milk makes the best bread. I usually only have 2%, so that’s what I use. I have not tried non-dairy milk, but I would expect it to be satisfactory.
- WATER: Tap water works fine. It does not need to be warm–cool is fine.
- HONEY: Any kind of honey is suitable. Or substitute maple syrup.
- BUTTER: Use salted or unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, cut back on the salt by 1/4 teaspoon.
- SALT: Table or sea salt is what I use. If you prefer Kosher salt, add 1/4 teaspoon.
- FLOUR: Although I recommend bread flour, a good quality all-purpose flour will still make a splendid loaf. However, it may not be as sturdy for making sandwiches. If at all possible, weigh your flour with a digital scale.
- YEAST: I always use bread machine yeast or instant yeast. If you have a bread machine, I recommend you stock up on it. There’s no reason to dissolve the yeast when you can throw instant yeast into the pan with all the other ingredients and hit START.
- HULLED SUNFLOWER SEEDS: Toast or roast the sunflower seeds (without shells) before adding them to the dough. Raw seeds will not be nearly as flavorful. Look for seeds without salt. If you can’t find any, cut back on the salt in the recipe.
Be sure your seeds are super fresh. Sunflower seeds go rancid quickly in the pantry. I keep mine in the fridge to keep them from staling before I can use them. See this article for more information about storing sunflower seeds. Rancid sunflower seeds will ruin your bread.
Variations:
- Add other seeds such as pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or nuts such as pecans or walnuts instead of sunflower seeds. If you decide to add flax or chia seeds, they can affect the moisture level. You may need more liquid because those seeds are so absorbent.
- Add dried fruit in addition or as a substitution for seeds. Try chopped raisins, currants, dates, prunes, or dried apples. If you like fruit in your bread, you might want to try my bread machine banana bread with yeast. It contains much less sugar than traditional banana bread with baking soda or baking powder.
- If you want whole wheat bread, substitute 1 cup of whole wheat flour for 1 cup of bread flour. Be sure to check the dough as it kneads to correct the moisture level if necessary.
How to make this Oatmeal Bread Recipe with a Bread Maker:
Use your fingers to press the dough into a roughly rectangular shape.
Place the bread into the oven, reduce the temperature to 350˚F (180˚C)and bake for 30-35 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 190-200˚F (88-93˚C).
Bread Maker Honey Oatmeal Bread with Sunflower Seeds: FAQ
Store oatmeal bread in a sealed plastic bag after it has cooled. Some people like a breadbox, but its suitability depends on the model and the humidity in your kitchen. Storing in a refrigerator is not recommended as the bread will stale faster because of the moisture.
Yes. I like to slice mine first, but you can also place it in the freezer unsliced. Double-wrap it. Use within one month.
It depends on your bread machine. Was it designed to handle six cups of flour? (Check the recipes in your manual to see if any call for that much flour.) If so, you’re good. Otherwise, it may be too hard on the motor.
It’s better to make two separate batches. As soon as the machine kneads one batch, remove the dough to rise in a covered bowl. Assemble the next batch and restart the DOUGH cycle. Read more about doubling recipes when using a bread maker.
You might get lucky, the stars will align, and your machine will spit out a decent loaf. But since I want a fabulous loaf every time, I prefer to bake it in a conventional oven. Then I can form a pleasing shape, proof the dough appropriately, and bake the loaf in my traditional oven for the best possible texture and crust.
Parting Thoughts: This homemade bread is a perfect sandwich bread to add to your collection of bread maker recipes. The flavors are rather unassertive and won’t compete with sandwich ingredients. It’s more exciting and nutritious than plain white loaves of bread.
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately to Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! Paula
Best Oatmeal Bread Machine Recipe with Sunflower Seeds
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole or 2% milk - 113 gr
- ½ cup water - 113 gr
- ¼ cup honey - 85 gr
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - 28 gr
- 1¼ teaspoon table or sea salt - 7 gr
- 3 cups bread flour - 360 gr
- ½ cup quick or old-fashioned oats (not instant) - 45 gr
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast - 7 gr
- ½ cup hulled sunflower seeds, toasted - 64 gr
Instructions
- Add the dough ingredients to your bread maker pan: ½ c milk and ½ c water, ¼ c honey (85 gr), 2 T unsalted butter (28 gr), 1¼ t table or sea salt (7 gr), 3 c bread flour (360 gr), ½ c quick or old-fashioned oats (not instant) (45 gr), 2¼ t instant yeast (7 gr) except for seeds in the order given.
- Select the DOUGH cycle and start. After about 5-10 minutes, lift the lid and add extra liquid or extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary, to correct consistency. The dough should stick to the side of the pan, then pull away.
- Add the ½ c hulled sunflower seeds at the Raisin/Nut signal or 5-10 minutes before the kneading cycle ends. If you miss it, you can always work them in by hand when you get ready to form the loaf.½ cup hulled sunflower seeds, toasted
- When the dough cycle has completed, remove the dough to a floured surface and flatten it into a rectangle. Roll into a cylinder. Place into a 9×5-inch greased loaf pan with the seam down and tuck the ends under.
- Loosely cover (I use a shower cap or tea towel) and set in a warm place until dough rises approximately 1/2 to 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat your oven to 400˚F (180˚C).
- When your bread has risen enough, turn the heat back to 350˚F (180˚F). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 190˚F (88˚C). I suggest you test it with a thermometer if you are a novice bread baker.
- Note: Check the loaf halfway through baking and cover with foil if getting too brown.
- Allow bread to cool inside the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then turn the loaf out onto a cooling rack so the crust won't get soggy.
Notes
- To make this recipe in a heavy-duty stand mixer: Add ingredients to the bowl in the same order. Turn on LOW to mix until all ingredients are moistened. Then, using a dough hook, turn the speed to 2 or 3. Continue beating/kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic (about 5-10 minutes). Cover and allow to rise in a warm place. Deflate dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
- If making by hand: Combine all ingredients into a shaggy ball in a large bowl. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead with your hands until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading will likely take 10-20 minutes, depending on your experience. Place the dough ball into a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise until double. Deflate the dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
- Please note: If you only have active dry yeast, use 1/4 teaspoon more than called for in the recipe. It no longer needs to be dissolved first, but you can if you prefer.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.