10 Easy Bread Recipes for Beginners – That Will Make You a Baking Star

Hey there, bread newbie! Ready to fill your kitchen with that irresistible bakery smell? Baking bread at home is simpler than you think—and way more fun than scrolling through Netflix for the tenth time. I still remember my first loaf: a lumpy, slightly burnt masterpiece that I proudly devoured anyway. It’s all about the journey, right? With these 10 easy bread recipes, you’ll go from rookie to baking star in no time. They’re beginner-friendly, delicious, and guaranteed to impress your friends (or just yourself—treat yo’ self!). Let’s dive in!

1. Classic White Bread

Nothing beats a soft, fluffy loaf of classic white bread. It’s the OG of baking—perfect for sandwiches or slathering with butter. I made this for my mom once, and she swore I’d secretly bought it from a bakery.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp butter

Steps:

1. Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it sit until foamy (about 5 minutes).
2. In a big bowl, combine flour and salt.
3. Pour in the yeast mix and add butter.
4. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth.
5. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour—it’ll double in size!
6. Punch it down, shape into a loaf, and pop it in a greased pan.
7. Let it rise again for 30 minutes.
8. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until golden.

Tip:

Use bread flour if you’ve got it—makes it extra fluffy.

2. No-Knead Artisan Bread

Want that fancy bakery vibe without the effort? This no-knead bread is crusty perfection. My first try was a total “Instagram vs. reality” moment—but it still tasted amazing.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups water

Steps:

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water in a bowl. It’ll look shaggy—don’t stress.
2. Cover and let it sit for 12-18 hours (yep, overnight!).
3. Dump it onto a floured surface and shape into a ball.
4. Let it rise for 2 more hours.
5. Heat a Dutch oven at 450°F, plop the dough in, and bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, then 15 minutes without.

Tip:

A cast-iron Dutch oven is your BFF here.

3. Honey Whole Wheat Bread

This one’s a little healthier but still super easy. The honey makes it sweet and cozy—perfect for chilly mornings. My dog once stole a slice, and I couldn’t even be mad.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix warm water, honey, and yeast. Let it foam up.
2. Combine flours and salt in a bowl.
3. Add yeast mix and oil.
4. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth.
5. Let it rise for 1 hour, punch it down, and shape into a loaf.
6. Rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

Tip:

Mix in some all-purpose flour so it’s not too dense.

4. Garlic Herb Focaccia

This flatbread is a game-changer—garlic and herbs make it next-level tasty. I brought it to a potluck once, and it vanished in 10 minutes flat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Fresh rosemary and thyme

Steps:

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water.
2. Knead lightly for 3-4 minutes, then let it rise for 1 hour.
3. Press into a greased pan and dimple it with your fingers.
4. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle garlic and herbs on top.
5. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes until golden.

Tip:

Fresh herbs are worth it—trust me.

5. Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Sweet, swirly, and oh-so-addictive. I bake this when I want my house to smell like a hug. It’s breakfast goals.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp butter

Steps:

1. Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water. Wait for foam.
2. Combine flour, salt, cinnamon, and raisins.
3. Add yeast mix and butter.
4. Knead for 5 minutes, let rise for 1 hour.
5. Shape into a loaf, rise again for 30 minutes.
6. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Tip:

Soak raisins in warm water first—they’ll stay juicy.

6. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread

This is pure fun—gooey cheese in every bite. I made it for game night, and my friends wouldn’t stop raving.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pre-made dough (or make your own)
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 3 tbsp butter (melted)
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Steps:

1. Roll out dough and cut into small squares.
2. Mix butter and garlic, toss with dough pieces and cheese.
3. Stack everything in a greased loaf pan.
4. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Tip:

Mix cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella for max yum.

7. Banana Bread

Moist, sweet, and stupidly easy. My go-to when I’ve got overripe bananas begging for a purpose.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup butter (melted)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Steps:

1. Mash bananas in a bowl.
2. Mix in sugar, eggs, and butter.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Fold everything together and pour into a loaf pan.
5. Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes.

Tip:

The riper the bananas, the better the flavor.

8. Irish Soda Bread

No yeast, no fuss—just a rustic loaf ready in under an hour. I baked this on a whim once, and now it’s a staple.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Steps:

1. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Stir in buttermilk until it’s a sticky dough.
3. Shape into a round loaf on a baking sheet.
4. Cut a cross on top and bake at 425°F for 35-40 minutes.

Tip:

Don’t overmix—it keeps it tender.

9. Pita Bread

Soft, puffy pockets you can stuff with anything. My first batch puffed up like magic—total win!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, water, and oil.
2. Knead for 5 minutes, let rise for 1 hour.
3. Divide into 6 balls, roll out flat.
4. Bake on a hot skillet or pizza stone at 475°F for 3-5 minutes per side.

Tip:

A screaming-hot surface makes them puff.

10. Pretzel Bread

Chewy, salty, and totally addictive. I burned my tongue eating this hot from the oven—worth it.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 cup warm water

Steps:

1. Mix yeast, sugar, and water. Let it foam.
2. Add flour and salt, knead for 5 minutes, let rise for 1 hour.
3. Shape into loaves or rolls.
4. Boil in water with baking soda for 1 minute per side.
5. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.

Tip:

The boiling step is what makes it pretzel-y.

FAQs

Why’s my bread so dense?
Could be too much kneading, not enough rising time, or old yeast. Give it love and patience!

How do I know it’s done?
Golden crust and a hollow tap sound are your clues. Trust your senses.

Can I swap ingredients?
Sure, but yeast and flour swaps need care—stick close to the recipe at first.

Conclusion

There you go—10 easy bread recipes to kickstart your baking stardom! From crusty artisan loaves to sweet banana bread, you’ve got a lineup that’ll make your kitchen the coziest spot in town. Start with one (or all!), snap some pics, and tell me how it goes—I’m rooting for you. Once you’ve nailed these, play around with flavors and make them yours. Happy baking, superstar!