No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest flour for sourdough bread? ›

Compared to whole wheat flour, rye flour is said to be the most nutrient- and amylase-dense option for a sourdough starter. Overall, it has a lower gluten protein content than wheat flour, which means it produces slack, sticky, and dense doughs.

This rustic whole grain sourdough bread is packed with flavor. The recipe consists of three simple ingredients: flour, water, and salt. While the ingredients are simple, the process might take a few tries to get exactly right. BUT, it's worth it, and I'm here to guide you through the whole process.

Absolutely. While the texture is more chewy and less fluffy, it can be done. If you want a fluffier loaf, I would recommend using a combination of white flour and whole wheat flour like my no-knead sourdough bread.

One of the most common mistakes is having a dough temperature that's too low for the starter to feed on all the flour in the dough, resulting in a crumb that's dense, with fewer openings. "Starter is happiest and most active at around 75 degrees. If it's a lot colder, the process will be much slower.

However, when sourdough bread is made with whole wheat flour, there are extra health benefits because of the whole grains used. Whole grains provide additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Therefore, whole wheat sourdough bread is a highly nutritious bread option and is healthier than classic white sourdough bread.

However, which one is healthiest for you depends on what you're looking for from your daily loaf. If you're looking for a high fibre bread, then opt for whole wheat bread, whereas if you usually have digestion issues then sourdough is your best bet.

Interestingly, a 2019 study found that older adults living in the Mediterranean who regularly consumed whole grain sourdough bread had a lower risk for chronic illnesses including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The immune-boosting mineral zinc found in whole wheat sourdough may also amplify this benefit.

The reason why whole wheat loaves end up so dense is because whole wheat flour has very little gluten as compared to white all-purpose flour. Gluten is important for giving the dough – and final loaves – structure. Without it, loaves tend to end up flat and dense. #wheatsourdough #sourdoughbread #rusticsourdoughbread.

The best flour blend for creating a new sourdough starter is 50% whole-meal flour (whole wheat or whole rye) and 50% bread flour or all-purpose flour. I recommend a 50/50 mix of whole wheat flour and bread flour.

Should I feed my sourdough starter with whole wheat flour? ›

But all purpose, bread flour, whole wheat flour or rye flour are all suitable for feeding a regular sourdough starter successfully. Many people like to feed their sourdough starter a cheaper flour, particularly when in the establishment phase and going through quite a bit of it.

Hard Red Spring Wheat

Bronze Chief wheat is best for yeast or sourdough breads. Although it is not as mild as the Prairie Gold, we love the depth of flavor this traditional wheat imparts. Order Hard Red Spring (Bronze Chief) Wheat Berries here to pick up locally in TN or here to have your order shipped.

This recipe is highly hydrated because there's a high percentage of whole grains, which require more water in the mix (the bran and germ present in the flour can take on quite a bit more).

TIP: Whole wheat flour is incredibly thirsty. Because it absorbs more water than regular white flour, extending the “autolyse” or first rest period gives this dough ample time to hydrate. You'll notice a huge difference after the full hour. The dough will be incredibly soft, and easy to stretch and fold later on.

Bread flour (or baker's flour) is a high protein, white flour that is milled specifically for baking bread and sourdough. You'll get the best results for your sourdough bread from using bread flour. The most popular bread flour in the US is King Arthur Bread Flour.

However, dark rye flour will give you a more intense flavor and color to your bread than light rye. Dark rye also contains increased levels of vitamins and minerals, giving bread make with dark rye a higher nutritional profile.

Thus, whole wheat flour is widely considered healthier. It's a good source of protein, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. As it contains gluten, it isn't appropriate for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Bleached and unbleached flours can both be used interchangeably in any recipe without a major discernable difference.