How to make homemade bread without a machine?

Making bread has never been so hip as it has been lately. With confinement, many people have decided to start making their homemade bread. And if you don't have a bread machine, don't panic, all you need is a little elbow grease and 4 ingredients. Here are all our tips for making your homemade bread without a machine.

And if you rediscover the happiness of simple things, like make homemade bread ? Ideal in this period of confinement during which outings for shopping are limited. If you do not have a bread machine, be aware that it is possible to play apprentice bakers in your kitchen. You will only need 4 ingredients: flour, salt, yeast and water. With a little patience and a few tips, you will become a pro homemade bread without machine !

Ingredients for making homemade bread

If making your bread requires only 4 ingredients (flour, water, salt and yeast), you must be careful to choose them. Which flour to favor? Fresh yeast or dehydrated yeast?

There are several types of flour. The most classic T55 is ideal for making bread because it gives a very elastic crumb. If you choose semi-complete (T110) or whole (T150) flour, you will need to add more water to your dough. According to the desires, it is possible to use rye flour, rice, or barley to vary the pleasures. Please note, however, only flour made from wheat, spelled and rye is considered breadmaking cereal. For the others, it will be necessary to mix them with other bread-making flours and / or add gluten.

The baker's yeast exists in a dehydrated or fresh version, the first is available in supermarkets and the second can be purchased from the baker. Both work very well, only the dosage differs. Count 2.5 to 3 times more fresh yeast than dry yeast.

You can also buy or make your leaven (which requires a little learning). The leaven has a slower lactic fermentation, but it is better tolerated by the body.

The classic homemade bread recipe

– 500g of T55 flour
– 300g of water
– 1 sachet of baker's yeast (dehydrated)
– 1 tablespoon of salt

See the complete recipe for traditional homemade bread

The steps to follow

In a small bowl, dilute the yeast in lukewarm water and mix. In a bowl, then pour the flour, water and salt, make a small well and pour the water and yeast mixture. Mix everything to form a homogeneous ball. Comes the most important step in the making homemade bread : kneading.

– Place the ball on the work surface and using the palm of the hand, stretch the dough and fold it over itself and so on.
– Repeat this step as much as possible, for at least 10 good minutes.
– Knead until the formation of an elastic and non-friable ball.

The incorporation of air into the dough during kneading is very important for an aerial crumb. Air activates the yeast.

– Place the dough in a bowl, which you will have a little floured and cover with a cloth.
– Let stand for at least 2 hours (5 hours) in a dry place with no draft. The dough must double in volume.
– To know if the dough has risen well, plant the index finger inside, if the mark disappears, this means that your dough is ready for shaping.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone. Flour it.
– Gently take your dough, being careful not to tear it.
– Degas the dough by pushing your fist with a dry and frank gesture. It is at this stage that you can divide the dough into several "dough pieces" to make several breads for example.
– Shape the dough into the desired shape: into a ball, loaf, baguette, spike, braided … Flour it lightly.
– It's time to add additional ingredients: seeds, nuts, dried fruits, rosemary, olive oil, spices …
– Scarify the dough using a cutter or knife.
– Let the bread rest covered with a cloth for 15-20 minutes, time to preheat the oven.

– Preheat the oven to 240 ° C. The steam oven is ideal, but if you don't have one, opt for a dish filled with water that you will place at the bottom of your oven.
– Put in the oven the bread halfway up for about thirty minutes.
– Before removing the bread from the oven, make sure it is well cooked both above and below.
– Let the bread rest for ten minutes on a wire rack.

When cutting, the bread should have a crispy crust and a well-ventilated crumb.

How to store your homemade bread?

To keep your bread as long as possible, avoid plastic bags that promote the development of mold and do not leave it in the open air. Ideally, wrap it in a slightly damp cloth or invest in a bread, wooden or iron box.

Vintage metal bread box, € 26.86 for sale on Amazon.fr

See also: 5 recipes for cooking with very simple ingredients


Video by Clemence chevallet