If you’ve been craving a soft, hearty loaf of bread that’s perfect for everything from sandwiches to morning toast, this Homemade Oatmeal Bread is exactly what you need! Made with simple pantry ingredients like oats, flour, and yeast, it bakes into a fluffy, slightly chewy loaf with a rich, comforting flavor!

Why this Recipe Works

Makes the House Smell Amazing – The warm, cozy bread-baking smell instantly makes the house feel calm and welcoming!

Soft, But Hearty – Tender enough for sandwiches, but still has a wholesome, slightly chewy texture that is satisfying.

Feels Homemade – Slightly rustic, simple, and made with ingredients you probably already have.

Great for Beginners – No fancy techniques, just a reliable loaf that makes you feel proud when it comes out of the oven.

Freezer-Friendly – Make now, freezer for later!

Soft homemade oatmeal bread sliced to show a moist, tender crumb

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup Quick Oats – Adds a hearty texture and subtle nutty flavor while keeping the bread moist.

3 tbsp Oil – Keeps the bread soft and tender while helping it stay fresh longer.

3 tbsp Molasses – Adds deep, rich flavor and a slight sweetness with a hint of warmth.

1 tbsp Salt – Enhances overall flavor and strengthens the dough structure.

2 cups Boiling Water – Softens the oats, helping them blend smoothly into the dough.

3 1/2 cups Warm Water – Activates the yeast and hydrates the dough for proper rising.

3 packets Quick Rise Yeast – The key to getting a light, airy loaf

1 tbsp Honey – Balances the flavor with a light natural sweetness and helps feed the yeast.

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour – Brings a wholesome, slightly dense texture and added fiber.

5 cups Bread Flour + 3 cups Bread Flour – The main structure of the bread, giving it strength, elasticity, and a soft, chewy crumb.

Homemade oatmeal bread with a soft, fluffy texture and golden crust

How to Make Homemade Oatmeal Bread without Special Equipment

In a large bowl combine 1 cup quick oats, 3 tbsp oil, 3 tbsp molasses, and 1 tbsp salt.

Stir and add 2 cups boiling water. Stir again. Let cool for 20 minutes or until warm.

Then add 3 1/2 cups warm water. Stir.

Sprinkle 3 packets of quick rise yeast on top. Sprinkle 1 tbsp honey on yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Add 2 cups whole wheat flour and 5 cups bread flour.

Stir. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Make a well on the counter using 3 cups of bread flour. Put bread dough in the well. Knead.

You may need up to additional 1 cup of bread flour as kneading.

Place in well oiled bowl. Put the dough in the bowl and cover with saran wrap.

Let rise until doubled. This will take about 15-20 minutes. Uncover and punch down.

Let rise for additional 10 minutes. Spray 3 bread pans with non-stick spray.

Divide into 3 equal parts. Shape into loaves and place in pans. Let rise until doubled. This will take about 15-20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Once dough has doubled, place in the oven for 45 minutes.

Let cool on cooling racks. The bread should be completely cooled before storing in bread bags.

Type of Oil – You can use canola or vegetable oil.

How to Work the Dough – The dough will be sticky when kneading. Add flour (up to 1 cup) as kneading until it isn’t sticky anymore. It shouldn’t require more than a cup – too much flour will make the bread heavy.

What is Punching Down? – This means taking the dough from the sides and pushing it into the center. And then flip the dough over.