Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread baking in your own kitchen. From soft sandwich loaves to crusty artisan breads and classic sourdough, homemade yeast bread is one of the most satisfying things you can bake.
This roundup features 25 of the best homemade yeast bread recipes—all tried-and-true favorites that home bakers love. Whether you’re new to bread baking or a seasoned pro, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
The History of Bread:
According to history, the earliest bread was made in or around 8,000 BC in Egypt. In 6,000 BC, the Egyptians discovered sourdough bread when someone left fermented dough in the sun and… it rose! Eventually, the Romans and other began making bread too.
In 600 BC, the Persians invented the windmill system for milling grains.
In 1834, the steel roller mill was invented in Switzerland.
The addition of chemicals in the 20th century made bread whiter, softer and longer lasting. Flour was heavily processed, so the government ordered that vitamins and minerals be added to the flour (enriched flour).
By the 1980’s, artisan, rustic and healthier breads began emerging (with no chemicals or additives).
Homemade bread might seem intimidating, but once you try it, you’ll be hooked. Start with one recipe and work your way through the list—you really can’t go wrong.
🥪 Sandwich Bread Recipes
Soft, sliceable loaves perfect for toast, sandwiches, and everyday use.
- Soft and fluffy classic White Sandwich Bread will bring back memories of childhood lunches.
- Honey Whole Wheat Bread is the best sandwich bread recipe that I’ve been using for decades.
- Here is a simple Whole Wheat Bread recipe.
- Oatmeal Bread is an old family favorite bread recipe made with rolled oats and molasses.
- Homemade Buttermilk Sandwich Bread is made with real fresh ingredients like buttermilk, honey and flour.
- Save some mashed potatoes to bake Homemade Potato Bread.
🍞 Artisan and Rustic Bread Recipes
Crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside, bakery-style breads at home.
- No-Knead Peasant Bread (a 45 year old recipe).
- Rustic Country Loaf has a crisp, thinner crust, and pillow-y, chewy interior crumb.
- Homemade Italian Bread is actually very easy to make and tastes delicious!
- The BEST Homemade French Bread recipe made in just 90 minutes!
- Cheese and Wine Bread is a round loaf of yeast bread flavored with white wine and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Rosemary Sea Salt Italian Bread has the perfect amount of flavor sprinkled on top.
🫕 Dutch Oven and No-Knead Breads
Minimal effort with impressive results.
- Dutch Oven Bread is crusty on the outside, and so soft on the inside.
- No-Knead Whole Wheat Dutch Oven Bread– the perfect soup dunker!Easy Overnight No Knead Bread
- Crusty Dutch Oven Bread– a beautiful crusted loaf.
🌾 Sourdough Bread Recipes
Naturally leavened breads with incredible flavor.
- Easy Sourdough Bread yields a hearty, flavorful bread with a soft springy interior and a thick, crusty exterior.
- Soft and fluffy Sourdough Sandwich Bread is the perfect bread to have on hand.
- Sourdough Focaccia has a crunchy outside with the slightly tangy fluffy inside.
- Rustic Rye Sourdough Bread, made with a blend of whole wheat, bread flour, and rye flour, holds its shape and has a moist, chewy crumb.
🥖 Flatbreads & Specialty Yeast Breads
Perfect for entertaining and special occasions.
- Bursting with summer flavor, Tomato Focaccia bread is a great way to use up fresh tomatoes.
- Challah Bread has a crispy exterior and tender egg bread inside.
- Brioche Loaf Bread turns out an enriched yeast dough that is soft and buttery with a nice tender crumb.
- Salted Thyme Flatbread is perfect for dunking in soups and stews, as well as a side to your favorite salad.
- There are some great flavors going on in this Tomato Basil Bread.
Tips for Yeast Bread Success
- Use fresh yeast for best rise.
- Liquids should be warm, not hot (about 105–110°F).
- Don’t over-flour—dough should be slightly tacky.
- Give dough enough time to rise; flavor develops with patience.
- A digital kitchen scale improves accuracy.
How to Store Homemade Bread
- Store at room temperature in a bread bag or airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
- Freeze sliced bread up to 3 months.
- Refresh crusty breads in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Fun Facts About Bread:
- Richer Romans considered white bread to be higher quality and more suited for educated and wealthy people. Poorer people at rye and bran bread.
- The French Revolution is thought to have started because of French mobs demanding bread!
- Bakers used to be fined if their loaves were underweight. So they added an extra loaf to every dozen (creating the “baker’s dozen”).
- Bread can be made of any grain- wheat, rye, corn, rice, barley, millet, amaranth and more.
- It is Scandinavian tradition that if a boy and girl eat from the same loaf, they are bound to fall in love.
