Easy No-Fail Whole Wheat Bread

Simple 5-ingredient whole wheat bread. You just don’t get easier than this no-fail and no-knead recipe! Hearty, wholesome, nourishing and delicious!

You know, I always wanted to be the kind of person who makes their own hummus and bakes their own whole wheat bread. So I’m pretty chuffed that I have become this person!

So now I can feel all wholesome and earth-motherish. Well, at least I would if I had some kiddos other than my two cat babies.

Recently someone was saying to me that they’re ‘eating clean’ now.

And ‘eating clean’ is quite the popular phrase in diet culture. But depending on which diet camp you’ve found yourself, ‘clean’ can have vastly different meanings. Like for some it means eating plenty of meat but cutting out grains and processed foods. And of course that is not at all what it means in the vegan community.

But anyway, I am not a fan of labelling foods like this because it’s a value judgement, like ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Which some can take to extremes and it can lead to eating disorders (not good).

But that being said, lately it can be hard to find a loaf of bread in the store that doesn’t have a heap of junk in it. There is one particular loaf of wholewheat bread that I bought, and we just didn’t get around to eating it (or throwing it out).

However, it was just as perfectly fresh 3 weeks after purchase as it was on the day I brought it home from the store. Hmmm.

So I do like to make some whole wheat bread myself, and when it’s as easy as THIS, then there’s no reason not to! Also check out our other super easy bread recipes, our vegan white bread, vegan soda bread and vegan focaccia.

How To Make Whole Wheat Bread

You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.

I have literally never come across a recipe as easy as this. It’s just 5-ingredients, and you don’t even have to knead it.

In fact, kneading is out with this recipe. You just throw some whole wheat flour, instant yeast and a little salt to a mixing bowl.

Then mix maple syrup with warm water and then add the wet ingredients to the dry.

Mix in to just combine (no kneading! I’m not going to tell you again you super-keen kneading fan), move it into a greased loaf pan (a little parchment paper on the bottom is also a good idea), cover it and leave it to rise for 20 minutes.

It does all its rising before it even hits the oven. So the height it is when it goes in is pretty much the height it is when it comes out.

Put it into the oven and bake for 40 minutes. And bingo you have freshly baked bread!

Who Needs A Bread Machine?

I mean really I don’t think it could be easier even if you used a bread machine. Well, I’ve never used a bread machine so I can’t really compare, but with a recipe as easy as this, who needs a bread machine?

Well, don’t quote me on that, maybe I’ll get one, one of these days. I do like nifty little appliances.

And the BEST thing about baking your own whole wheat bread is your whole house smells delicious and you get to eat it warm from the oven.

Serving Suggestions

I mean really if you don’t feel like cooking, just make a loaf of this (it barely counts as ‘cooking’ it’s too easy), and serve it with a huge salad, maybe some roasted garlic hummus and avocado and various other toppings and dinner is done and dusted!

Of course it goes immensely well with any homemade soups too! So if you’re having a delicious vegan potato leek soup or vegan tomato soup or vegan lentil soup for dinner, then this is going to be awesome for dipping.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is very versatile and has worked great when we’ve switched up the flours. We have tried this recipe as follows and all have worked out great:

• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour, 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour, 3 cups all purpose flour
• 4 cups all purpose flour

Make It Gluten-Free

It even works with a gluten-free all purpose flour blend. I find that adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil (at the same time as the other wet ingredients) makes the gluten-free version come out softer.

Storing Tips

It’s best when very fresh (the day of making it) but it will keep for a couple of days in a closed container and it also makes very delicious toast!

You can freeze it, but it will be best used for toast after freezing. 

Want Some Toppings For Your Whole Wheat Bread?

1. Homemade Vegan Butter
2. Homemade Peanut Butter
3. Homemade Cashew Butter
4. Homemade Almond Butter
5. Simple Vegan Guacamole
6. Creamy Avocado Hummus

And for more breads, check out our vegan cornbread, vegan banana bread and our easy vegan dinner rolls!

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!