Transform your morning porridge into a delicious, wholesome loaf with this simple porridge bread recipe. This unique bread combines the nutritious benefits of traditional porridge oats with the comfort of freshly baked bread, creating a moist, flavorful loaf that's perfect for any time of day. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your bread-making journey, this recipe delivers consistent results with minimal effort.

Why Make Porridge Bread Recipe?

Porridge bread has been gaining popularity among home bakers for good reason. This innovative bread combines the heartiness of traditional Irish bread with the nutritional benefits of porridge oats. The addition of cooked porridge to the dough creates an incredibly moist texture that stays fresh longer than conventional bread. It's also an excellent way to use leftover porridge, making it both sustainable and economical.

Jump to:

Why Make Porridge Bread Recipe?
Ingredients
Instructions
Hints and Tips
Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Storage Instructions
Equipment For Porridge Bread Recipe
Top Tip
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Easy Porridge Bread Recipe

Ingredients

the Porridge:

1 cup rolled oats
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt

the Bread Dough:

3 cups bread flour
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons honey
¼ cup warm water
1 tablespoon butter, softened
Additional rolled oats for topping

Instructions

Prepare the Porridge Base

Combine rolled oats, water, and salt in a saucepan
Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy (about 5-7 minutes)
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature

Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, combine warm water and yeast
Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy
Add the cooled porridge, honey, and softened butter
Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a shaggy dough forms

Knead and First Rise

Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes
Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth
Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size

Shape and Second Rise

Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf
Place in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan
Brush top with water and sprinkle with additional oats
Cover and let rise for 45 minutes

Bake

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown
Remove from pan and cool on wire rack

Hints and Tips

Use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats for better texture
The porridge should be fairly thick when cooked - this ensures proper bread structure
Room temperature ingredients will help your bread rise better
Don't rush the cooling process - allow the bread to cool completely before slicing

Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions

This porridge bread is packed with fiber and protein from the oats, making it a nutritious choice for breakfast or snacks. It's particularly good for:

Sustained energy release throughout the day
Higher fiber content than regular white bread
Good source of complex carbohydrates

Serve your porridge bread:

Toasted with butter and honey
As a base for avocado toast
Alongside soup or stew
As a sandwich bread for heartier fillings

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Make it dairy-free by replacing butter with olive oil
Add seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, or flax) for extra nutrition
Use whole wheat flour for part of the bread flour for added fiber
Add cinnamon and raisins for a sweeter breakfast version

Storage Instructions

Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Freeze sliced bread for up to 3 months
Reheat frozen slices directly in the toaster

Equipment For Porridge Bread Recipe

Large mixing bowl
Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
9x5 inch loaf pan
Saucepan for cooking porridge
Measuring cups and spoons
Clean kitchen towel
Wire cooling rack

Top Tip

The key to perfect porridge bread lies in the temperature of your porridge when adding it to the dough. Ensure it's completely cooled to room temperature - hot porridge can kill the yeast and prevent proper rising.

FAQ

Is porridge bread better than normal bread?

Porridge bread typically contains more fiber, protein, and nutrients than regular bread due to the addition of oats. It stays moist longer and provides more sustained energy, making it a nutritious alternative to traditional bread.

What is porridge bread made of?

Porridge bread is made from cooked porridge oats mixed with bread flour, yeast, salt, honey, and water. The key ingredient is pre-cooked oatmeal (porridge) which makes up about 25-30% of the recipe, creating a unique texture and nutritional profile.

What are the health benefits of porridge bread?

Porridge bread offers high fiber content, better blood sugar control, increased protein, and essential minerals. The oats provide beta-glucans that help lower cholesterol, while the combination of ingredients ensures sustained energy release throughout the day.

Why are oats unsuitable for bread making?

Oats alone can't make traditional bread because they lack gluten, which creates bread's structure. However, when combined with bread flour and pre-cooked into porridge, oats become an excellent addition that adds moisture and nutrition to bread.

Now that you have all the tips and tricks for making perfect porridge bread, it's time to get baking! This versatile recipe is sure to become a family favorite, offering both nutrition and delicious flavor in every slice.

Don't forget to experiment with different variations to find your perfect version of this hearty bread.

If you enjoyed the Easy Porridge Bread, you'll love the Sourdough French Toast Recipe for a delicious breakfast treat.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Porridge Bread Recipe