Best Bread Machine Flours
When it comes to the best bread machine flours, how do you know what to choose? From almond flour to coconut flour, what is going to work the best in your bread maker? We have so many great homemade bread recipes to check out!
Purchasing one of the best bread machines is only half of the battle. Now, you have to use it.
But to get the most out of your brand-new toy, it’s crucial to buy the correct type of flour. Doing so will ensure you get the best-tasting (and looking) results.
With so many different types of flour to choose from, it can be hard to filter out poor-quality products. That’s why we have put together a list of the best flour types for your bread machine.
Just take a look below, and you’ll be getting the best results on your way to your perfect loaf. Be certain to check out all of our bread machine bread recipes!
Bread Flour Vs. All-Purpose Flour
When it comes to baking, the type of flour you choose can have a significant impact on your end product. Two of the most commonly used flours are bread flour and all-purpose flour.
While they may seem similar, there are key differences that can affect the texture and structure of your baked goods.
Bread Flour
Bread flour is a high-protein flour that typically contains between 12-14% protein. This high protein content means that bread made with bread flour will rise higher due to the greater gluten content. It’s this extra protein that gives bread its chewy and elastic structure.
Bread flour also absorbs more liquid, so your dough will be stiffer and less sticky.
Bread flour is best suited for yeast products, like bread and rolls. It’s especially good for rustic artisan breads, bagels, and pizza dough.
All-Purpose Flour
On the other hand, all-purpose flour has a protein content between 8-11%. It’s a blend of hard and soft wheat varieties, making it a versatile option suitable for a wide range of baking needs.
All-purpose flour, as the name implies, is suitable for all types of baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, muffins, and pie crusts. It can be used in bread recipes, but it won’t yield a chewy and elastic crumb like bread flour. Instead, bread made with all-purpose flour will have a softer texture.
Which One to Choose?
The choice between bread flour and all-purpose flour depends on what you’re baking. If you’re making yeasted bread that you want to be chewy and rise high, then bread flour will provide the best results.
However, if you’re baking something that requires a tender and delicate texture, like cakes or pastries, then all-purpose flour would be the more appropriate choice.
Remember, while you can substitute one for the other in recipes, it may affect the texture and structure of your baked goods.
So, it’s always best to use the type of flour the recipe calls for whenever possible.
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Understanding Gluten-Free Flours
Gluten-free flours have become increasingly popular as more people are diagnosed with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease or choose to reduce their gluten intake for personal reasons. Understanding the properties of different gluten-free flours can help you achieve the best results in your baking.
Types of Gluten-Free Flours
- Almond Flour: This flour is made from ground almonds. It’s rich in protein and fiber and has a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s excellent for baking cookies, cakes, and breads.
- Rice Flour: Made from finely milled rice, this flour is light and delicate, making it great for light and fluffy baked goods like muffins, pancakes, and cakes.
- Coconut Flour: Made from dried coconut meat, this flour is high in fiber and has a distinct coconut flavor. It absorbs a lot of moisture, so you’ll need to adjust the liquid in your recipes accordingly.
- Buckwheat Flour: Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat and is naturally gluten-free. Buckwheat flour has a strong, nutty flavor and is perfect for hearty baked goods.
- Sorghum Flour: Known for its slightly sweet flavor, sorghum flour is great for gluten-free baking and adds a hearty, nutty flavor to breads, cookies, and cakes.
Tips for Baking with Gluten-Free Flours
- Mix Your Flours: Gluten-free flours each have unique properties and flavors. Mixing them can help mimic the texture of wheat flour and add depth of flavor to your baked goods.
- Use a Binding Agent: Because gluten is a binder, gluten-free flours often need a binding agent like xanthan gum or guar gum to hold the ingredients together.
- Hydrate Properly: Some gluten-free flours, like coconut flour, absorb more liquid than others. Pay attention to the hydration levels in your recipes to avoid dry or dense results.
- Test and Adjust: Gluten-free baking can be a bit of an experiment. Don’t be afraid to test and adjust your recipes as needed until you achieve the desired results.
Remember, gluten-free baking is a science, and it can take some time to get used to working with these different types of flour. But with a little patience and practice, you’ll be able to create delicious gluten-free baked goods that everyone can enjoy!
Tips for Using a Bread Machine
Using a bread machine can be a real-time-saver, and it’s a great way to enjoy freshly baked bread without the hassle of kneading and proofing. Here are some tips to help beginners get the most out of their bread machine:
- Read the Manual: This might seem obvious, but many people skip this step. Every bread machine is a little different, so it’s important to understand your specific model’s functions and features.
- Add Ingredients in the Right Order: Most bread machines recommend adding liquids first, then dry ingredients, and yeast last. This prevents the yeast from activating too soon.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Unless specified otherwise in the recipe, use ingredients at room temperature. Cold ingredients can affect the yeast’s activity and the overall rise of your bread.
- Measure Accurately: Baking is a precise science. Be sure to measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.
- Check Dough Consistency: Peek into the machine during the kneading cycle; the dough should form a smooth ball. If it looks too dry or too sticky, add water or flour a tablespoon at a time until the right consistency is achieved.
- Use the Delay Timer: Many bread machines have a delay timer. You can add your ingredients at night and wake up to freshly baked bread in the morning!
- Clean Regularly: Keep your bread machine clean to ensure its longevity. Remember to unplug it before cleaning and never immerse the machine in water.
- Experiment with Recipes: Don’t feel limited to just basic bread! You can make dough for pizza, rolls, and even jam in your bread machine.
With these tips, you should be able to make delicious, homemade bread with your bread machine. Happy baking!
Best Bread Flour for Bread Machines
When it comes to baking fresh bread, the right flour is essential. The best bread flour for bread machines varies depending on the type of bread you want to make and your personal preferences. However, some flours have gained popularity for their high-protein content and ease of use.
King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, for example, is a high-protein flour that is perfect for bread machines. It has a relatively high protein level (11.7%), and the quality of that protein allows for excellent results when used in bread machines.
This flour is versatile and can be used in various recipes, making it a popular choice among many home bakers.
Another great option for bread machines is White Lilly or Martha White flour. These are Southern soft wheat flours that are well-suited for bread machines. They provide a unique texture and flavor to the bread that many people enjoy.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, Multiseed and Flake flour from Nelstrop is an award-winning flour that’s perfect for home bread machine owners. It offers a tastier, healthier alternative to traditional flours.
For those who enjoy rye bread, King Arthur Flour Organic Medium Rye Flour is a fantastic choice. This flour is 100% organic and non-GMO, perfect for baking complex, flavorful breads.
When using a bread maker, the ease of use is essential. The bread pan should be easy to remove and clean, and the machine itself should have straightforward controls.
Different flours will require different amounts of water and other dry ingredients, so it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Vital wheat gluten is another ingredient to consider when choosing your flour. Some flours, like all-purpose flour, may not have as much protein as bread flour. Adding vital wheat gluten can help improve the texture and rise of your bread.
The best bread maker flour will depend on your personal preferences and the type of bread you want to make.
Whether it’s a high-protein flour like King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or a healthier alternative like Multiseed and Flake flour, the key is to choose a flour that will give you the results you desire.
Keep reading as we break down some of the best flours for you!
Best White Flour — Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached White Flour
Whether you want to make loaves, baguettes, pasta, pizza dough, or rolls, Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached White Flour will help you do just that.
It promotes an even rise and delicious taste thanks to its high gluten concentration. Surprisingly, it has only one ingredient — organic hard red wheat. It’s not just unbleached; it is also non-GMO, organic, and unbromated.
Having said all of this, it’s worth mentioning that the price is pretty high. If you are on a tighter budget, it might be worth opting for the King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour instead.
Best Gluten-Free Flour — Anthony’s Brown Rice Flour
Anthony’s Brown Rice Flour isn’t only good for baking bread in a bread machine, it is also great for other goods like cake and pastries!
It’s one of the cheapest gluten-free flours made for bread machines and is available at a bargain price on Amazon.
Thankfully, the low cost doesn’t mean low quality. The brown rice has been ground by a stone, which ensures it is soft and grain-free.
One thing to note, however, is that it isn’t organic. This might not be a big deal if you want to make tasty gluten-free bread.
Best Whole Wheat Flour — Great River Organic Milling Organic Whole Wheat Bread Flour
This non-GMO whole wheat flour is perfect for baking breadsticks, loaves, and pizza dough in your bread machine.
It works seamlessly with your bread maker to create an evenly risen loaf so you can skip adding extra wheat gluten to your bakes.
The price is affordable, too, and it contains the necessary nutrients found in wheat. How? Because the company uses a couple of millstones to grind the gains, allowing all the best bits to stay put.
You’ll be hard-pushed to find a better-tasting whole wheat flour for your bread machine. Try it once, and you’re bound to be hooked for life!
Tips for Using Bread Machine Flour
When using your bread machine, remember to add wet ingredients first, then dry ingredients, and yeast last.
This prevents the yeast from activating too soon. Weighing your flour is also crucial as exact measurements are extremely important when making bread.
For those who want to experiment with whole-wheat flours, keep in mind that they can make the dough heavier, which might result in a denser loaf. To prevent this, you can mix whole-wheat flour with all-purpose or bread flour.
Avoiding the “Big Hole” Problem
A common issue when baking with a bread machine is the “big hole” problem.
This happens when the kneading paddle of your bread machine creates a hole in the bottom of your bread.
To prevent this, you can try removing the dough after the final kneading cycle, taking out the paddle, and then returning the dough to the machine before the baking cycle begins.
Quick Breads in Bread Machine
You can also use your bread machine for quick breads. Since quick breads don’t require yeast, you can skip the rising cycle on your machine and go straight to the baking cycle.
Storage and Shelf Life
Flour should be stored in a cool, dry place, and while it can last up to a year, it’s best to use it within six months for optimal freshness.
Whole-wheat flours, due to their oil content, can turn rancid quicker and should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Remember, using the right flour and following these tips can help ensure successful and delicious results with your bread machine!
Bread Machine Recipes
Now that you know everything there is to know about bread flour, it is time to put all that knowledge into practice!
Here are some of our favorite bread machine recipes. You are sure to find a favorite no matter what kind of bread you want!
