Soft Oatmeal Bread – Easy, Hearty & Perfectly Fluffy

If you’re looking for a soft, homemade bread that’s packed with flavor and texture, this oatmeal bread recipe is a must-try! Made with rolled oats, honey, and a blend of flours, it’s naturally wholesome with a slightly chewy crust and a tender, airy crumb. Whether you enjoy it toasted with butter, as a base for sandwiches, or paired with soups, this bread is the perfect everyday staple.

Even if you’re new to baking, don’t worry! This easy oatmeal bread recipe uses simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions to guide you to a successful loaf. Once you taste the fresh, homemade goodness of this bread, store-bought versions just won’t compare!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Soft & Fluffy Texture – The combination of oats and honey gives this bread a naturally soft and slightly sweet flavor.
✔ Beginner-Friendly – No complicated techniques—just mix, knead, and let the dough rise!
✔ Nutritious & Wholesome – Made with whole grains and simple ingredients, this bread is a healthier alternative to store-bought loaves.
✔ Versatile & Delicious – Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or served alongside soups and stews.
✔ Stays Fresh Longer – Thanks to the honey and oats, this bread stays soft for several days!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough

• ¾ cup warm milk (115-125°F) – Helps soften the oats and activate the yeast.
• ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats – Adds texture and a mild nutty flavor.
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened – Enhances richness and softness.
• 3 tablespoons honey – Gives a slight natural sweetness.
• ½ cup warm water (110-115°F) – Essential for activating the yeast.
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet) – Helps the dough rise.
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt – Balances the flavors.
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Provides structure to the dough.
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour) – Adds a mild nuttiness and a wholesome texture.

For the Topping

• 1 egg white – Helps the oats stick and gives a golden finish.
• 1 tablespoon water – Mixed with egg white for a light wash.
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats – Sprinkled on top for a rustic touch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Soften the Oats

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk and oats.
2. Let it sit for 30 minutes to allow the oats to absorb moisture and soften.

Step 2: Make the Dough

3. Add the butter, honey, warm water, yeast, salt, all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour to the oat mixture.
4. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until well combined.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

5. Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes, or until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
6. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If too wet, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour at a time until it comes together.

Step 4: First Rise

7. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Loaf

8. Grease a 9×5-inch or 8½x4½-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
9. Lightly flour a work surface and transfer the dough onto it.
10. Knead a few times to remove any large air bubbles.
11. Shape the dough into a smooth oval loaf, tucking the ends under as needed.
12. Place it into the prepared bread pan, seam side down.

Step 6: Second Rise

13. Cover with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in the pan for 20-30 minutes, until it just reaches above the rim.
14. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 7: Add the Topping

15. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water.
16. Lightly brush the egg wash over the top of the loaf (you won’t need all of it).
17. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of oats over the top for a decorative finish.

Step 8: Bake the Bread

18. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the center of the loaf reaches 200°F on an instant-read thermometer.
19. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking.

Step 9: Cool & Serve

20. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
21. For the best slices, wait until the bread is fully cooled before cutting.

Baking Tips for Success

✔ Use a Stand Mixer – Makes kneading easier, but you can also knead by hand for 10-12 minutes.
✔ Measure Flour Correctly – Spoon and level the flour rather than scooping, to avoid a dense loaf.
✔ Use a Thermometer for Accuracy – Bread is fully baked when it reaches 200°F internally.
✔ For an Even Rise – Position the pan front to back in the oven to help the bread rise uniformly.
✔ Let It Cool Completely – Cutting warm bread can make it gummy, so be patient!

Variations & Substitutions

🌾 Make It Dairy-Free – Use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk and swap butter for olive oil.
🍯 Swap the Sweetener – Substitute maple syrup or brown sugar for honey.
🌿 Add Flavor – Mix in cinnamon and raisins for a touch of sweetness, or pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds for extra crunch.
🥖 Make Rolls Instead – Shape the dough into small rolls, let them rise, and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Storage & Freezing Instructions

How to Store Fresh Bread

• Keep the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Avoid refrigerating, as this can dry out the bread.

How to Freeze Oatmeal Bread

• Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• To thaw, leave at room temperature for several hours or reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.

Reheating Instructions

• To Refresh Bread: Wrap in foil and warm in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes.
• To Toast: Slice and toast in a toaster or oven until lightly crisp.

What to Serve with Soft Oatmeal Bread

🍯 With Butter & Honey – A simple yet delicious pairing.
🥪 For Sandwiches – Works great with chicken salad, turkey, or peanut butter & jelly.
🥣 With Soups – Enjoy with creamy tomato soup or chicken noodle soup.
🍳 As Breakfast Toast – Spread with avocado, jam, or nut butter.

Final Thoughts

This soft oatmeal bread is a homemade classic, perfect for everyday use. With its soft crumb, slightly sweet flavor, and hearty oats, it’s a versatile bread that fits any meal. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced pro, this recipe is simple to follow and guarantees a perfect loaf every time.

Short Version

Soft Oatmeal Bread

We absolutely love this oatmeal bread! It's soft, flavorful, and perfect for spreading with butter, making sandwiches, or toasting. It also pairs beautifully with soups for a cozy meal. With its simple steps, this recipe is ideal for beginner bread bakers!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Inactive Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Servings

Calories 173 kcal

Ingredients

  

• ¾ cup warm milk 115-125°F
• ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup warm water 110-115°F
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast 1 packet
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour

Topping

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats

Instructions

 

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk and oats. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow the oats to soften.
• Add the butter, honey, warm water, yeast, salt, all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour to the bowl with the oats and milk. Using the paddle attachment, mix until well combined.
• Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It should feel slightly sticky but not overly wet. If the dough is too sticky, add additional flour, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.
• Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
• Grease a 9×5-inch or 8½x4½-inch metal or glass bread pan. Lightly flour a work surface and transfer the dough onto it. Knead a few times to release large air bubbles, then shape the dough into a ball. Gently form it into an oval loaf by cupping it between your hands and tucking the ends under as needed. Place the dough into the greased bread pan, seam side down.
• Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in the pan until the top of the loaf is just above the rim, about 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water with a fork. Lightly brush the mixture over the top of the loaf (you won’t need all of it), then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of oats on top.
• Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the center of the loaf registers 200°F on an instant-read thermometer. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil partway through baking.
• Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. For the best slices, wait until the bread is fully cooled before cutting.
• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

I use a stand mixer to mix and knead the dough, but if you don’t have one, you can mix the ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon and knead the dough by hand on a clean work surface.

Baking Time: The bread bakes faster in a glass pan (mine was ready in 45 minutes) and takes a bit longer in a metal pan (about 52 minutes).

Baking Tip: When placing the loaf in the oven, position the pan so that the long edge runs front to back. This helps the bread rise evenly. If placed side to side, the loaf may rise unevenly.

Using Active Dry Yeast Instead of Instant Yeast:
To substitute active dry yeast, proof it first: Combine the ½ cup warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the honey in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Whisk and let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly and foamy. Then, add it to the mixing bowl with the remaining ingredients.

Dairy-Free Option:
For a dairy-free version, replace the milk with a non-dairy alternative or water. Swap the butter for olive oil or a neutral vegetable oil like canola.

Keyword Bread

🔥 Try this easy oatmeal bread recipe today and enjoy the comfort of fresh, homemade bread!

Happy Baking! 🍞😊

Soft Oatmeal Bread