Honey Oat Bread

This Sweet Honey Oat Bread recipe is delicious with great texture and subtle flavors, naturally sweetened with honey.

Few pantry ingredients goes into this honey bread with oats along with some time and patience. The result is truly satisfying! One recipe yields three loves of bread!

You are probably very familiar with the saying: "when life gives you lemon... you make lemonade". But how does "when life gives you a pandemic you make bread" sound for an updated version?

Too much?

There is a good measure of truth to that though. Since the beginning of the pandemic people started baking bread, like crazy! It all made sense, at some point it comes down to the basics; bread + water (and toilet paper apparently!)

All jokes aside, I can confidently say that I became a pandemic baker. I made this Quick Sandwich Bread, this Instant Pot Artisan Bread, Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls and even this Irish Soda Bread! And I have made these recipes over and over again.

At one point I made a quadruple batch of this sweet bread made with oatmeal and honey and donated 12 loaves to local elders residents of my town that do not have family nearby. The smile on their faces as I dropped off the freshly baked oat bread was simply priceless!

As a matter fact every time I bake bread I feel the need to share. There is just something extra special about sharing bread.

Now, I have always been fond of oat breads. To me that added texture and subtle flavors is an invitation for tea.

Suppose I can cross this one off my list. I have made this Honey Oat Bread more than a few times and it is a treat! You will get three loaves of bread with each recipe. You're welcome!

By now you are probably ready to dive in to the recipe details, so let's get to it.

what do you need to make this honey oat bread 

• 5 cups flour - you can use all-purpose flour or bread flour. I have tested this recipe using both and they worked well.
• 1 cup old fashioned oats (not the quick oats kind) - you will need more for the topping
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 2 pk active dry yeast
• 3 cups lukewarm water
• ⅓ cup honey

how to make this honey oat bread

1. I always like to start my bread recipes by activating the yeast. In a medium size bowl of large measuring cup add lukewarm water and stir in yeast and honey. Cover with kitchen towel and set aside for 5 minutes until yeast starts to foam up. Note; if it doesn't foam up or show signs of live activity your yeast might be too old!
2. Next you add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl. That's our all-purpose flour (or bread flour), old-fashioned oats and salt. Using the hook attachment give the dry ingredients a quick mix.
3. With the mixer running on medium speed, add yeast water slowly. Continue to mix for about 2 minutes. *Dough will be sticky*
4. Transfer dough to a large bowl. Cover with kitchen towel and let dough rise to double the size (about 45 minutes to an hour). 
5. To remove dough from bowl, pull dough from the sides on to the middle forming a ball. Transfer to a floured surface. 
6. Try not to manipulate the dough a whole lot. Form into a ball. Using a chef's knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into three equal size parts. 
7. Form each dough into a loaf and transfer to a lined loaf pan.
8. Allow dough time for a second rise (about an hour). Dough will reach near top of loaf pan.
9. When ready to bake brush melted butter on top and sprinkle with oats. 
10. Bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes or until crust turns golden brown.

If you are a coffee lover like me, you will want to pair this honey oat bread with my Mocha Latte recipe or Dalgona Whipped Coffee. Enjoy!