Easy Oat Bread

This easy oat bread without yeast is soft and delicious! Made with oatmeal and no flour, this no-knead bread is packed with nutrients and taste. Gluten-free recipe.

If there is one thing about me is that I’m addicted to oats. I’ve been having protein oatmeal every morning since 2016, and every day it feels like the first time. Oats are a food that has it all: healthy, versatile and so delicious. Both in sweet and savory recipes!

Savory oatmeal recipes..?! Yes, that’s correct. Although most people associate oats with sweet dishes, in reality they are perfect for all types of meals. Actually, recently I’ve been leaning more and more towards savory oats. First as a protein oat bowl with poached egg and now in the form of oat bread. Or I should rather say, the easiest oatmeal bread recipe ever!

Easy oatmeal bread recipe

Making bread at home has never been that simple! After this recipe you’ll be baking oat bread every week. The best thing is, you don’t need to be a seasoned baker because it’s so quick and simple.

First and foremost, this is an oat bread without yeast. No yeast means that there is no need for endless rising times. If still this is not enough, the loaf comes together in a bowl. No kneading!

And when it’s finally time to serve…Everyone will be delighted by the taste and softness of this homemade oatmeal bread. Kids and picky eaters included, because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a soft slice of bread?!

A healthy alternative to store-bought bread

When it comes to healthy eating, the first thing most people think is that bread is bad. Aside from the fact that there is “good” or “bad” food, in reality it is not the case. While limiting the consumption of supermarket white bread may be a good idea, wholegrain options are a great addition to a healthy diet. Especially if made with oats!

Oats are amongst the healthiest grains on earth. They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Some of the nutrients you can find in this food are manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iron. Plus, oats are rich in plant based protein: 16.9 g of protein per 100 g!

So why not ditching highly processed supermarket loaves with this homemade oatmeal bread? Your health (and finances) will thank you!

The ingredients

Here is all you need to make oatmeal bread at home. Besides the ingredients, in the following lines you will also find a list of substitutes.

• Rolled oats or oat flour: This recipe can be prepared with either rolled oats or oat flour, gluten-free if necessary. In case you opt for rolled oats, you will need to ground them into flour using in a blender. Keep in mind that you cannot replace with quick oats or steel-cut oats.
• Eggs: Use two large fresh eggs for the best result. Their primary function is to bind the batter, so that your bread won’t fall apart after baking. If you follow a vegan diet, replace with two flaxseed eggs.
• Plain whole-milk yogurt: Plain whole-milk yogurt adds moisture, tenderness, and taste. What is more, it helps the dough rise. As the fats contribute to both taste and texture, I do not recommend substituting with low fat options. As a dairy-free alternative you can use soy yogurt, plain and unsweetened.
• Olive oil: I like extra virgin olive oil, it is high in nutrients and gives the loaf a delicious taste. You can substitute with your favorite oil, such as avocado oil, canola oil, walnut oil or melted coconut oil. Even melted butter works. Do not skip the oil because it gives the bread a better taste and softer texture.
• Salt: The salt adds a savory touch. Skip if you are trying to make a sweet breakfast bread.
• Baking powder: This ingredient works as a leavening agent instead of yeast.

Recipe variations

The base recipe for oatmeal bread is quite simple, meaning that it can easily be adjusted to your likings. From pumpkin seeds to cheese and chorizo, the customization options are countless. And if you still need ideas, here are some extra ingredients you can add to your bread.

• Pumpkin seeds: Add pumpkin seeds into the batter and on top for a crunchy experience.
• Sunflower seeds: Same as before, but this time with sunflower seeds.
• Walnuts or pecans: Stir a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough for an irresistibly delicious oatmeal bread.
• Cheese: If you are looking for something more flavorful, try mixing in some shredded cheese. Great options are cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella or feta cheese.
• Chorizo or bacon: Have you ever thought of making bread with small chunks of chorizo inside? Trust me, you’ll get hooked at first bite.
• Cinnamon and raisins: Give a sweet twist to this recipe by including half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and raisins.

How to make oat bread without yeast

Prepare for baking. First of all, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and fold a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper or grease with oil. As this is a no yeast oatmeal bread, you’ll be ready to bake in the blink of an eye!

Make oat flour at home. Add the oats to a high speed blender and process for 20-30 seconds, until finely ground into flour. Skip this step if you are using oat flour right away.

Make the oat batter. Transfer the oat flour into a large mixing bowl, then quickly stir with baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients together: egg, yogurt, olive oil and optionally apple cider vinegar (this gives a softer oat bread). Using a spatula, make a hole in the center of the flour and add the wet mixture into the middle. Mix until the dry and wet ingredients are well combined into a lump-free batter.

Bake the bread. Once ready, evenly spread the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake in hot oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of your oatmeal bread comes out clean. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Storage information

Do you plan to bake your loaf ahead of time? Then read further because in this paragraph you are going to learn everything on how to store homemade oat flour bread.

First of all, allow the loaf to cool completely after baking. This is an essential step that helps maintain freshness. Once cooled, place it in an airtight food container and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For a longer storage, you can refrigerate this yeast-free bread for a maximum of 5 days. To prevent the loaf from absorbing humidity, use a sealable food container.

As an alternative, you can also freeze in zipping bags or in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Before serving, remove from the freezer and reheat in the oven until warm and soft once again.

Serving ideas

Oat bread is a versatile and nutritious addition to your meals and snacks. Enjoyed in savory or sweet dishes, here are some of the many ways you can serve it:

• Avocado toast: Top toasted slices of oat flour bread with mashed avocado, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, plus a drizzle of olive oil. And if you want to go the extra mile, try including a poached egg or slices of smoked salmon.
• Sandwich: Make a healthy lunch or snack by stuffing your oat sandwich with ham, grilled chicken or tofu, sliced cheese, avocado, leaves of lettuce and tomatoes.
• Peanut butter banana toast: Spread peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choice) over a soft slice of oat flour bread and top if off with sliced banana. A great classic!
• Bruschetta: In the mood for something fresh? Enjoy with a drizzle of olive oil, minced garlic and diced tomatoes on top. And why not including mozzarella or cottage cheese for a pizza-like experience! 
• Oatmeal French toast: Turn your oat bread into healthy French toast by dipping slices in a mixture of beaten egg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Cook on a skillet until golden brown and serve with your favorite fruit. I like fresh berries!
• Homemade croutons: Cut your oat flour bread into cubes and toast until crispy, just like croutons!

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

More healthy recipes with oats

• 2 ingredient banana oatmeal cookies
• Oat flour pancakes
• 3 ingredient baked oatmeal
• Stovetop granola recipe
• Low calorie pancakes
• Blueberry oatmeal cookies