No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (2024)

Table of Contents
Ingredients: Variations: FAQs

For this collaboration with King Arthur Flour, I needed to enlist our family pro...Dr. Daddy. Many years ago, before my mother died, she gifted a recipe book to my husband, King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking. He uses this book every week to bake bread for our family, though he adapted it. When the lovely folks at King Arthur reached out to me to collaborate, I was thrilled at what a perfect fit we make! By continuing to read, you are agreeing to my updated privacy policy as described here. This post contains affiliate links, and is sponsored by King Arthur Flour. I have updated this post to answer some questions, and to make some slight tweaks.

No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (1)
It is as good as it looks


He based our family recipe on the 100% Whole Wheat Sourdough recipe found at King Arthur Flour, and on No Knead Sourdough Bread from Breadtopia. He made a no knead version of the King Arthur Recipe that we love, and made it so simple to bake!

No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (2)
This is thecontainerthat we have kept our starter in for YEARS.

The recipe is extremely easy. I do not follow all the fussy instructions for dealing with sourdough starter. My jar of starter stays in the fridge 24/7. I take a half cup out of my starter supply for this recipe, and I add a cup of flour back in with enough water to incorporate it with the flour. That way, if I forget to put in the replacement flour, I should still have enough starter next time to make bread and keep the starter going. Then back in the fridge. No fuss.

No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (3)
All the ingredients mixed together

The starter is the grandchild of the starter from King Arthurfrom my Mom via my sister. It is robust and delicious. Highly recommend. If you don't have one started, you can buy one from Amazon here.

This makes two loaves.

Ingredients:

2 lbs whole grain wheat flour
1 Tablespoon Salt
1/2 cup sourdough starter
3 cups of water (may need an additional 3-4 ounces)

Mix all ingredients together. Likely, the dough will still be very dry. I usually add an extra 3-4 ounces of water (just under 1/2 cup) to get all the flour incorporated. I use this tool to mix the dough, and it reduces the time immensely. Cover the bowl and let it sit on your counter for 6-8 hours.

When this rise (proof?) is finished, prepare a large work surface with whole wheat flour. Scrape the dough out of the bowl and powder the top with flour as well. I like to use food grade disposable gloves at this point, because the dough is very sticky. Pat and spread the dough out into a rectangle that is a little under an inch thick. Fold it in thirds one direction and then fold it in thirds again. If you know the Kon-Mari folding method, you know how to do this!

I take sprinkle rolled oats over the top of the loaf and cover with a kitchen towel. After an hour, I set the oven to 500 degrees. Make sure your dutch ovens (or kloches if you are fancy) are in the oven when you set it. You want these bad boys HOT HOT HOT when it is time to put the bread in. I use an ancient Descoware dutch oven (enameled cast iron) and a pottery dutch oven.

When the oven reaches temperature, the dance of danger begins. Disposable gloves and silicone oven mitts are very handy right now. I cut the dough in half, open the oven door and remove the lids from the dutch ovens. The dough needs just a teensy bit of shaping to make it a round then plop it into the dutch oven and put the lids back on. Cook like this for 30 minutes. Then remove the lids, reduce the temperature to 450, and cook another 15 minutes.

Let the loaves cool on a rack and enjoy!

Variations:

It is simple to vary the ratio of whole wheat flour to white flour. I just use what I have. A 50-50 mix is quite nice and does not require any changes to the recipe. My most recent loaves have been all white flour, and I had to reduce the amount of water quite a bit. Start with 2.5 cups of water and add more until the flour is incorporated. Remember, this is no-knead, so if you want a messy, wet dough that will have lovely huge holes in the final loaf, use all the water!

No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (4)
The inscription from my mother to my hubs.

Every week when my hubby makes our bread, we always give one away. To a neighbor, a friend, as a thank you, or something just to pay it forward. What I didn't know, before I started working with King Arthur, is that they have a foundation. It's called Bake for Good, and if you bake, and give it away, they will donate a meal. It only takes a second to sign up at this link. Last week I went to a local school to learn more about Bake for Good Kids. You can see my video about it here!

Please leave me a comment to let me know how you like this recipe that our family loves!

Frequently asked questions:

  1. What do I do with the oats? They are optional. We use them to sprinkle along the top for garnish purposes only.
  2. What do we do with the discard? We make the most amazing pizza crust with it. So easy, and so delicious.
  3. Can you make this in other types of pans. YES. Use what you have, and here is how King Arthur recommends making it in loaf pans.

No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (5)


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No Fuss Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest flour for sourdough bread? ›

Compared to whole wheat flour, rye flour is said to be the most nutrient- and amylase-dense option for a sourdough starter. Overall, it has a lower gluten protein content than wheat flour, which means it produces slack, sticky, and dense doughs.

Is whole grain sourdough bread healthy? ›

Whole wheat sourdough bread is a healthy bread. Whole wheat sourdough bread combines the nutritional benefits of both classic sourdough bread and whole wheat bread. Whole wheat sourdough bread has a very low glycemic index, increased vitamins and minerals, and a high fiber content.

Can you use whole grain for sourdough starter? ›

All-purpose flour works great for feeding starter, but adding a little whole grain flour can help give it a boost if needed.

How do you make whole wheat sourdough bread less dense? ›

Here are some tips to help you make your sourdough bread less dense:
  1. Use a ripe sourdough starter. ...
  2. Knead the dough for the right amount of time. ...
  3. Proof the dough for the correct amount of time. ...
  4. Use the right type of flour. ...
  5. Add the right amount of water. ...
  6. Score the bread properly. ...
  7. Bake the bread at the correct temperature.
Sep 9, 2023

What flour do Italians use for sourdough? ›

Grano tenero flours are generally used in Italy to make both bread and pastries. Typo 2 (type 2) flour is high in bran, and still slightly coarse.

What is the healthiest sourdough bread for weight loss? ›

One of the healthiest sourdough bread options is one made with whole grains. Since whole grains boost the nutritional value of bread, whole grain sourdough bread and whole wheat sourdough bread are both healthy sourdough choices.

Is it okay to eat sourdough bread every day? ›

Can you eat sourdough bread every day? It's good news for sourdough super-fans. 'Sourdough is rich in carbohydrates which should make up around 50% of our energy intake every day, so there's no problem with eating sourdough daily,' says Tilt, who adds; 'it's delicious and I often do! '

Is sourdough bread anti-inflammatory? ›

The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Which is healthier sourdough or multigrain bread? ›

Which is better, sourdough vs. multigrain bread? When made entirely from whole grains, multigrain bread is usually healthier than sourdough bread. However, sourdough bread may be more nutritious than multigrain bread if the multigrain bread contains refined grains.

Is there a whole grain sourdough? ›

Yes, it will give you a heartier, more dense loaf, with a whole grain flavor. It isn't going to be as light and fluffy as other sourdough breads made with bread flour or all-purpose, but it is very delicious.

Does whole grain sourdough need more water? ›

Hydration Level

A bread dough consisting of a high percentage of whole grains, in this case over 70%, generally needs more water than a white dough.

What is the best flour for sourdough bread? ›

All-purpose Flour

It strikes a perfect balance of softness and structure, making it an ideal choice for various recipes. Due to its wide availability and affordability, all-purpose flour is often my top recommendation for creating and maintaining a sourdough starter.

Why is my whole wheat sourdough so dense? ›

The reason why whole wheat loaves end up so dense is because whole wheat flour has very little gluten as compared to white all-purpose flour. Gluten is important for giving the dough – and final loaves – structure. Without it, loaves tend to end up flat and dense. #wheatsourdough #sourdoughbread #rusticsourdoughbread.

What is the best ratio for whole wheat sourdough starter? ›

Even though whole wheat is a higher hydration flour in recipes, you'll still stick with equal parts flour and water for the starter. Keep in mind that the warmer the conditions, the quicker the wild yeast and bacteria will use up the sugars and reach their peak.

Why is my homemade sourdough bread so dense? ›

One of the most common mistakes is having a dough temperature that's too low for the starter to feed on all the flour in the dough, resulting in a crumb that's dense, with fewer openings. "Starter is happiest and most active at around 75 degrees. If it's a lot colder, the process will be much slower.

What is the best flour to use in sourdough bread? ›

All-purpose Flour

It strikes a perfect balance of softness and structure, making it an ideal choice for various recipes. Due to its wide availability and affordability, all-purpose flour is often my top recommendation for creating and maintaining a sourdough starter.

Is whole wheat sourdough the healthiest bread? ›

Sourdough bread has a lower glycemic index and glycemic load than white bread and whole-wheat bread that is not fermented. Whole-wheat sourdough is higher in fiber, which additionally lowers the strain it puts on your blood glucose.

Is dark or light rye flour better for sourdough bread? ›

However, dark rye flour will give you a more intense flavor and color to your bread than light rye. Dark rye also contains increased levels of vitamins and minerals, giving bread make with dark rye a higher nutritional profile.

Is bleached or unbleached flour better for sourdough bread? ›

Ultimately, the flour you choose to bake with is entirely up to you. Bleached and unbleached flours can both be used interchangeably in any recipe without a major discernable difference.

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