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Classic Oatmeal Bread

posted by Liz Berg on May 7, 2020 (updated 12/18/22)

This Classic Oatmeal Bread reminds me of my childhood. We’d eat my mom’s version hot out of the oven, covered with cold pats of butter. This recipe will make your inner child come alive!

This Oat Bread is soft, tender, and absolutely delicious! And who can resist the aroma of a freshly baked yeast bread recipe! It’s incredibly comforting.

Three slices of oatmeal bread on a square plate with the top slice with a pat of butter

Table of Contents hide

1 Why You Must Make

2 Ingredient Notes

3 Expert Tips

4 Frequently Asked Questions

5 You May Also Like:

6 Classic Oatmeal Bread

Why You Must Make

This recipe comes from one of my favorite bakers, Nick Malgieri.
There is nothing better than sharing a good loaf of homemade bread with your family! Especially when it’s still warm from the oven.
Slightly sweet from the addition of brown sugar, this is one terrific homemade yeast bread recipe.

One of my favorite loaves since childhood was my mom’s oatmeal bread. I’m not sure the secret of her recipe, but I do recall eating it hot from the oven with lots of cool, creamy butter smeared on the slices. Hot bread? Cold butter? Maybe that was the secret…I still love that combo. I turned to a baking guru, Nick Malgieri, for some inspiration for this challenge.

His How to Bake (affiliate link) cookbook has been the source for my favorite cheesecake, apple pie, and now oatmeal bread. Nick’s attention to detail was priceless when, as a novice baker, I needed very detailed tips and instructions. I’ve tried a few oatmeal bread recipes over the years, but this has got to be my favorite. Soft, sweet, tender. Truly the ultimate oat bread.

Ingredient Notes

This Classic Oatmeal Bread Recipe is a delicious, basic bread recipe made with dry active yeast.

Rolled Oats – Old Fashioned Oatmeal not Quick Oats.
Active Dry Yeast – 1 envelope. I recommend Red Star Yeast brand.
All-purpose, Unbleached flour – I use King Arthur brand.
Table Salt – Never omit the salt in the recipe as it’s a flavor enhancer. Your bread will taste flat without salt.

Slice of oatmeal bread torn in half and topped with butter on a round white plate with a red handled butter knife.

Expert Tips

PRO-Tip: Remember that yeast is a living organism and if you add water that is too hot, you can kill the yeast. Use a kitchen thermometer to make sure your warm water is around 110º and no hotter than 120º.
Check the expiration date on your yeast. If it has expired, purchase a fresh batch.
A stand mixer fit with a dough hook is a terrific way to knead bread. Just make sure your mixer does not overheat by monitoring it during the kneading process.
If the mixer feels very hot, turn it off and let it cool down before continuing. You may need to finish kneading by hand if necessary.
Letting the dough rise, or proofing the dough, works best in a warm location. Cover the bowl of kneaded bread with greased plastic wrap.
PRO-Tip: An ideal location is about 80-85º. Forcing the dough to rise in a too hot environment will compromise the texture.
Shape the loaf by flattening the dough into a rectangle, folding in half, and rolling to make a nice-shaped cylinder. If it doesn’t adhere to itself when rolling, a small amount of water can be used to moisten the dough.
You can expand upon this recipe by adding raisins or other dried fruit or by sprinkling with cinnamon and sugar before rolling and shaping the dough into a loaf to make a cinnamon oatmeal bread.
I prefer mine plain and simple, except for that generous smear of salted butter.

Partially sliced loaf of oatmeal bread on a white tray with a plate of butter pats in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Healthy is Oatmeal Bread?

The oatmeal adds some nutritional value that’s not in white bread. Oats contribute fiber and contain magnesium, Vitamin B1, iron, and zinc. It’s healthier than white bread, but not a healthy food per se.

How Do You Get Oats to Stick to the Top of Your Loaf?

If your dough is sticky enough, the oats will adhere to the top of the bread. If not, you can brush a very light coat of water or milk over the surface, then sprinkle with oats. Milk will darken the crust a bit due to its sugar content.

Can You Taste the Oatmeal?

Oatmeal adds a mild nutty flavor to the bread.

How Do You Store Oatmeal Bread?

Keep your oatmeal bread at room temperature in a plastic bag for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap well and keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Before freezing, make sure it’s cooled to room temperature or frost will develop.