Delicious Maple Oat Bread: Soft, Hearty, and Naturally Sweet
Warm slices of freshly baked maple oat bread bring together the comforting aroma of toasted oats and the rich sweetness of pure maple syrup. Each bite offers a soft, tender crumb balanced by a subtle nuttiness that makes this loaf perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even as a wholesome side for dinner. Maple oat bread stands out because it blends hearty whole grains with natural sweetness, creating a bakery-style loaf that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
Homemade bread often feels intimidating, yet maple oat bread is surprisingly simple to prepare. Oats add texture and fiber, while maple syrup provides depth of flavor without overpowering sweetness. The result is a moist, slightly dense bread with a golden crust and irresistible aroma filling your kitchen.
Ingredients Needed
Below is a detailed ingredient list with approximate calorie counts for the entire recipe.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats | 1 cup | 300 kcal |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 1 ½ cups | 600 kcal |
| All-Purpose Flour | 1 cup | 455 kcal |
| Pure Maple Syrup | ½ cup | 420 kcal |
| Warm Milk | 1 cup | 120 kcal |
| Unsalted Butter (melted) | 2 tbsp | 200 kcal |
| Active Dry Yeast | 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) | 20 kcal |
| Salt | 1 tsp | 0 kcal |
| Warm Water | ¼ cup | 0 kcal |
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm water (about 110°F/43°C) with yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2: Soften the Oats
Pour warm milk over the rolled oats in a large mixing bowl. Let them soak for 10 minutes to soften and improve texture.
3: Mix Wet Ingredients
Add maple syrup and melted butter to the oat mixture. Stir until well combined.
4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
5: Form the Dough
Add the activated yeast to the oat mixture. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6: Knead
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
7: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
8: Shape and Second Rise
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
9: Bake
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
10: Cool
Remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
Personalizing maple oat bread makes it even more enjoyable:
- Add Seeds: Mix in sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, or chia seeds for added nutrition and crunch.
- Include Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans complement the maple flavor beautifully.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Replace milk with almond or oat milk and use plant-based butter.
- Boost Sweetness Naturally: Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries.
- Enhance Flavor: Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough for a warm spice note.
- Turn It Into Sandwich Bread: Reduce maple syrup slightly for a more neutral flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per Slice)
| Nutrient | Amount per Slice |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~176 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 32g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 3.5g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 8g |
Oats contribute fiber and important nutrients such as manganese and magnesium. Whole wheat flour increases fiber content, while maple syrup offers natural sweetness with trace minerals like zinc and calcium.
Serving Suggestions
Maple oat bread tastes wonderful when:
- Toasted and spread with butter or almond butter
- Topped with cream cheese and a drizzle of maple syrup
- Used for French toast with fresh berries
- Paired with soups and stews for a hearty meal
- Made into breakfast sandwiches with eggs and avocado
For longer storage, wrap the loaf tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months—slice before freezing for convenience.
Delicious Maple Oat Bread: Soft, Hearty, and Naturally Sweet
12 slices
servings20
minutes30
minutes176
kcalIngredients
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup pure maple syrup
1 cup warm milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
1 tsp salt
Optional Add-ins:
½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), seeds, or raisins
Directions
- Activate Yeast: Mix warm water with yeast and let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- Soften Oats: Pour warm milk over oats in a large bowl and soak for 10 minutes.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add maple syrup and melted butter to the oats and stir.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
- Form Dough: Add activated yeast to the oat mixture. Gradually mix in dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Knead: Knead dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled.
- Shape & Second Rise: Punch down dough, shape into a loaf, place in a greased 9×5-inch pan, and let rise 30–45 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool: Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats give the best texture and heartiness. Avoid instant oats—they can make the bread dense.
Soak the Oats: Pouring warm milk over the oats and letting them sit softens them, helping the bread stay moist and tender.
FAQs
1. Can I make maple oat bread without whole wheat flour?
Yes! You can use all-purpose flour entirely, but the bread will be slightly lighter and less hearty. Whole wheat flour adds fiber, texture, and a nutty flavor.
2. Can I make this bread dairy-free?
Absolutely. Replace milk with almond, oat, or soy milk, and use plant-based butter instead of regular butter. The texture and flavor will remain delicious.
3. How do I know when maple oat bread is fully baked?
The loaf should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped. You can also insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done.
4. Can I add nuts or seeds to the bread?
Yes! Chopped walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, or chia seeds make excellent additions. Fold in about ½ cup for extra crunch and nutrition.
5. Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Quick oats can be used, but they absorb liquid differently and may create a slightly denser texture. For the best results, soak oats in warm milk before mixing.
Conclusion
Delicious maple oat bread combines hearty whole grains and natural maple sweetness into one comforting, versatile loaf. Simple ingredients, easy preparation, and customizable options make it a perfect choice for both beginner and experienced bakers. Soft on the inside with a golden crust, each slice offers a balance of nutrition and flavor that fits seamlessly into everyday meals.
