Easy Einkorn Bread Recipe

Save on Pinterest Share on Facebook

Making bread at home doesn’t have to be complicated, and this Einkorn Bread proves it. If you’ve been curious about baking with ancient grains, einkorn flour is the perfect place to start.

This wholesome loaf has a slightly nutty flavor and tender crumb that makes it perfect for everything from morning toast to sandwich duty. The best part? You don’t need to be an experienced baker to pull this off.

I stumbled into einkorn bread-making after reading about ancient grains and their nutritional benefits. My first loaf was surprisingly simple to make, and the flavor had me hooked immediately.

Quick Recipe Summary
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	35 minutes
Total Time	3 hours 50 minutes (includes rising time)
Servings	1 loaf (12 slices)
Difficulty Level	Easy

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Einkorn Bread

Einkorn flour behaves a bit differently from modern wheat, but that’s actually what makes it so special.

The dough is softer and more extensible, which means you’ll get a beautifully tender loaf without much effort.

This recipe is forgiving enough for beginners yet delivers bakery-quality results. The smell alone while it’s baking will have everyone asking when dinner is ready.

Here’s what makes this bread stand out:

Nutritionally superior: Einkorn contains higher levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to modern wheat
Easier to digest: Many people who struggle with modern wheat find einkorn gentler on their digestive system
Simple ingredient list: Just flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of honey
Incredibly versatile: Perfect for toast, sandwiches, or served alongside soups and stews
Beautiful golden color: The natural carotenoids in einkorn give this bread a gorgeous hue

This pairs beautifully with my fresh milled flour bread for a complete ancient grains baking experience.

Ingredients

This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple with just a handful of basic ingredients. The einkorn flour is the star here, bringing its unique flavor and nutritional profile to the table.

3 cups einkorn flour, plus extra for dusting
1¼ cups warm water (around 110°F)
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
2 tablespoons honey
1½ teaspoons sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for greasing

Kitchen Equipment Needed

You won’t need any fancy equipment for this recipe. Most home kitchens already have everything required.

Large mixing bowl
Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (or wooden spoon for hand mixing)
9×5-inch loaf pan
Clean kitchen towel
Measuring cups and spoons
Kitchen thermometer (helpful but not essential)

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Einkorn Bread

Follow these detailed steps for a perfect loaf every time. Don’t rush the rising periods as they’re crucial for developing flavor and texture.

1. Activate the Yeast

Pour the warm water into your mixing bowl
Sprinkle the yeast over the water and add the honey
Stir gently to combine and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly
If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired or the water was too hot; start over with fresh yeast and check your water temperature

2. Mix the Dough

Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the einkorn flour and salt
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients
Mix on low speed with the dough hook for 2-3 minutes, or stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms
The dough will be softer and stickier than traditional wheat dough, which is completely normal for einkorn

3. Knead the Dough

Continue mixing with the dough hook on medium-low speed for 5-6 minutes, or knead by hand for 8-10 minutes
The dough should become smooth and elastic but will remain slightly tacky
Don’t add too much extra flour; einkorn dough is naturally more extensible and soft
If kneading by hand, use a light touch and avoid overworking the dough

Read Also: Honey Oatmeal Bread Recipe

4. First Rise

Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside
Turn the dough to coat it with oil on all sides
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
Place in a warm, draft-free spot (around 75-80°F is ideal)
Let rise for 1½ to 2 hours until doubled in size
The dough should look puffy and spring back slowly when gently pressed with a finger

5. Shape the Loaf

Lightly oil your loaf pan
Punch down the dough gently to release air bubbles
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface
Pat the dough into a rectangle roughly 8×12 inches
Starting from the short end, roll the dough tightly into a log
Pinch the seam closed and tuck the ends under
Place seam-side down in the prepared loaf pan

6. Second Rise

Cover the pan loosely with a kitchen towel
Let rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes until the dough crowns about 1 inch above the rim of the pan
Don’t let it over-rise or the bread may collapse during baking
Preheat your oven to 375°F during the last 15 minutes of rising

You might also enjoy: Pumpkin Bread Recipe

7. Bake the Bread

Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown
The internal temperature should reach 190-200°F when checked with a thermometer
If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes
The loaf should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom

8. Cool and Serve

Remove the pan from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes
Turn the bread out onto a wire cooling rack
Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing (this allows the crumb to set properly)
Resist the temptation to cut into it too soon, or you’ll end up with a gummy texture
Store cooled bread in a bread box or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel at room temperature.

Tips for The Best Einkorn Bread

A few simple tricks will take your einkorn bread from good to exceptional. Pay attention to these details for consistently beautiful loaves.

Don’t over-knead: Einkorn has a more delicate gluten structure than modern wheat, so it requires less kneading
Use warm (not hot) water: Water between 105-115°F activates yeast perfectly; too hot will kill it
Create a warm rising environment: If your kitchen is cool, turn your oven on for 1 minute, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside
Watch the second rise carefully: Over-proofed einkorn bread can collapse; it should dome just above the pan
Let it cool completely: Slicing warm bread releases too much moisture and creates a gummy texture
Store properly: Einkorn bread stays fresh for 3-4 days at room temperature when stored in a bread box or wrapped in a kitchen towel

Another favorite: Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Serving Suggestions

This versatile bread works beautifully in countless ways. The slightly nutty, sweet flavor complements both savory and sweet toppings.

Serve thick slices toasted with butter and jam for breakfast, or use it as the foundation for your favorite sandwiches.

The sturdy yet tender crumb holds up well to hearty fillings without getting soggy.

Perfect pairings include:

Toasted with avocado and a poached egg
Grilled cheese sandwiches with sharp cheddar
Peanut butter and sliced bananas
Alongside pumpkin soup or mushroom soup
French toast with maple syrup
Open-faced sandwiches piled high with turkey and cranberry sauce

For a lighter option, try: Greek Yogurt with Granola

Variations of Einkorn Bread

This basic recipe is endlessly adaptable. Once you’ve mastered the technique, try these delicious variations.

Herb Einkorn Bread: Add 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the dough
Seeded Einkorn: Mix in ¼ cup of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds after kneading
Cinnamon Raisin: Add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and ¾ cup of raisins to the dough
Garlic Parmesan: Mix in 3 cloves of minced garlic and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Whole Grain: Replace up to 1 cup of einkorn flour with whole grain einkorn flour for a heartier loaf
Honey Oat: Add ½ cup of rolled oats and increase honey to 3 tablespoons for a slightly sweeter bread

Read Also: Gingerbread Loaf Recipe

Storage and Reheating

Proper storage keeps your einkorn bread fresh and delicious for days. Follow these guidelines to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Room temperature storage: Wrap the completely cooled loaf in a clean kitchen towel or place it in a bread box. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Freezing instructions:

Slice the bread before freezing for easy portioning
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag
Freeze for up to 3 months
Thaw individual slices at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, or toast directly from frozen
Whole loaves should thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours

Reheating tips:

Toast slices in a toaster or toaster oven for the best texture
Warm whole loaves wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10-15 minutes
Microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds (though this can make them slightly rubbery)

Nutritional Facts

Per slice (based on 12 slices per loaf):

Calories: 145
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 295mg
Total Carbohydrates: 26g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 5g
Vitamin A: 2% DV
Vitamin E: 4% DV
Iron: 8% DV
Magnesium: 6% DV

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

Each ingredient in this bread contributes to its nutritional profile. Understanding these benefits helps you appreciate what you’re putting into your body.

Einkorn flour is one of the oldest cultivated grains, and it’s never been hybridized like modern wheat.

This means it retains its original nutritional composition with higher levels of protein, essential fatty acids, phosphorus, potassium, and beta-carotene.

Benefits of einkorn flour:

Contains a simpler gluten structure that many people find easier to digest
Rich in lutein, an antioxidant that supports eye health
Higher in protein than modern wheat (up to 30% more)
Provides essential minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium
Contains more vitamins, particularly B vitamins and vitamin E
Has a lower glycemic index than modern wheat varieties

Olive oil adds healthy monounsaturated fats that support heart health and help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Honey provides natural sweetness while offering antimicrobial properties and trace amounts of vitamins and minerals.

This bread works wonderfully in leftover mashed potato recipes as a side dish.

FAQs About Einkorn Bread

1. Can I use whole grain einkorn flour instead of all-purpose?

Yes, but the texture will be denser and heartier. Whole grain einkorn flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to increase the water by 2-3 tablespoons.

The bread will have a nuttier flavor and darker color.

2. Why is my einkorn bread so sticky?

Einkorn dough is naturally stickier and more extensible than modern wheat dough due to its different gluten structure.

This is completely normal. Resist adding too much flour during kneading, as this will make the bread dry and dense.

3. Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Mix and knead the dough by hand. It will take 8-10 minutes of kneading to develop the gluten properly, but the process is quite manageable since einkorn dough is softer than regular wheat dough.

4. My bread didn’t rise much. What went wrong?

Several factors could be at play: expired yeast, water that was too hot (killing the yeast) or too cold (not activating it), or a too-cool rising environment.

Make sure your yeast is fresh and your water temperature is between 105-115°F.

5. How is einkorn different from regular wheat?

Einkorn is an ancient grain that hasn’t been hybridized like modern wheat. It has a simpler gluten structure with 14 chromosomes compared to modern wheat’s 42.

This makes it more digestible for many people and gives it a unique nutritional profile with higher protein and mineral content.

Read Also: Pear Walnut Bread Recipe

Conclusion

Baking this Einkorn Bread is more than just making a loaf. It’s connecting with an ancient grain that nourished our ancestors and discovering flavors that modern wheat can’t replicate.

The gentle, nutty sweetness and tender crumb make this bread something special for your table.

Once you taste the difference, you’ll understand why einkorn is experiencing such a resurgence in home kitchens.

Give this recipe a try this weekend and experience the magic of baking with ancient grains.

I’d love to hear how your loaf turns out, so drop a comment below and share your einkorn bread-baking adventures.

Recommended:

Save on Pinterest Share on Facebook

Why You’ll Love This Einkorn Bread

Ingredients

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Recommended Products for This Recipe

1. Jovial Organic Einkorn All-Purpose Flour

2. USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan

3. King Arthur Baking Company Instant Yeast

4. Escali Digital Kitchen Scale