Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (Soft, Healthy & Homemade)

Making whole wheat bread at home is one of the best upgrades you can make to your daily diet. This atta bread recipe is soft, fluffy, and completely free from preservatives—unlike store-bought bread.

If you’ve ever thought homemade wheat bread turns out dense or dry, don’t worry. With the right kneading, proofing, and baking method, you’ll get a perfectly soft loaf that’s ideal for toast, sandwiches, and breakfast.

Let’s make healthy whole wheat bread at home step by step 🍞🌾

Quick Recipe Info

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Proofing Time: 1.5–2 hours
• Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: ~2.5 hours
• Servings: 1 loaf (10–12 slices)
• Difficulty: Medium

Why Choose Whole Wheat Bread?

Whole wheat bread is made from atta (whole wheat flour), which means:

✅ Higher fiber
✅ More nutrients
✅ Better digestion
✅ Keeps you full longer
✅ Healthier than white bread

Perfect for daily meals and weight-conscious lifestyles.

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Bread

Main Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour (atta)
• 1½ tsp instant yeast
• 1½ tbsp sugar or honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1¼ cup warm water (approx.)

Optional (For Extra Softness)

• 2 tbsp milk powder OR
• 2 tbsp milk (reduce water slightly)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Bread loaf tin
• Kitchen towel
• Oven
  (No-oven method also shared below)

Step-by-Step Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

1. Take warm water (not hot).
2. Add sugar and yeast.
3. Mix and rest for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

✅ If it foams, yeast is active.

Step 2: Make the Dough

1. In a bowl, add atta and salt.
2. Add activated yeast mixture.
3. Add oil/butter.
4. Mix and knead into a soft, slightly sticky dough (8–10 minutes).

✅ Whole wheat dough should be softer than roti dough.

Step 3: First Proofing

1. Grease the bowl lightly.
2. Place dough inside and cover.
3. Let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.

Step 4: Shape the Bread

1. Punch down the dough gently.
2. Shape into a log.
3. Place into a greased loaf tin.

Step 5: Second Proofing

Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes until it rises just above the tin.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.

✅ Tap the loaf—if it sounds hollow, it’s done.

Step 7: Cool Properly

1. Remove bread from tin immediately.
2. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

⚠️ Cutting hot bread makes it gummy.

No-Oven Whole Wheat Bread (Tawa + Kadai Method)

1. Preheat a heavy kadai with salt at the bottom.
2. Place a stand inside.
3. Put loaf tin on stand.
4. Cover and cook on low flame for 45–50 minutes.

✅ Works great if you don’t have an oven.

Tips for Soft Whole Wheat Bread

✅ Knead well (gluten development is key)
✅ Dough should be soft, not hard
✅ Don’t overproof
✅ Always cool before slicing
✅ Add oil/butter for moisture

Variations You Can Try

1) Multigrain Bread

Mix oats, seeds, and millets with atta.

2) Honey Wheat Bread

Replace sugar with honey for natural sweetness.

3) Garlic Whole Wheat Bread

Add garlic powder + herbs to dough.

4) Vegan Wheat Bread

Use oil instead of butter and skip milk.

Storage & Shelf Life

• Room temperature: 2 days
• Refrigerator: up to 5 days
• Freezer: slices up to 1 month

✅ Store in airtight container.

Nutrition (Approx Per Slice)

• Calories: 90–110 kcal
• Fiber: high
• Fat: low
• No preservatives

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Hard dough
❌ Killing yeast with hot water
❌ Skipping second proof
❌ Cutting bread hot
❌ Overbaking

Conclusion

This whole wheat bread recipe proves that healthy bread can also be soft, tasty, and easy to make at home. Once you try homemade atta bread, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought versions.