What Is Bread flour and How Can I Use It?
Here's everything worth knowing about bread flour and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 659 recipes to cook tonight.
Key Points
- Bread flour is high-protein wheat flour designed for yeast breads.
- It typically contains 12-14% protein for strong gluten development.
- Use it for artisan breads, pizza dough, and chewy baked goods.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- All-purpose flour can substitute, though the texture will be softer.
What is bread flour?
Bread flour is a high-protein wheat flour specifically designed for baking bread. It typically contains 12-14% protein, which helps develop strong gluten. This gives bread its chewy texture and good structure.
It is different from all-purpose flour, which has lower protein content. Bread flour is ideal for yeast breads, pizza dough, and other baked goods that benefit from strong gluten development. It can also be used in some pastries when a chewier texture is desired.
How to Choose It
Look for flour labeled specifically as "bread flour". Check the protein content on the label if available. Higher protein generally means stronger gluten development.
Store bread flour in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will keep for several months. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator or freezer.
How to Use It
Bread flour is the preferred choice for most yeast breads. It produces a strong, elastic dough that rises well and develops good structure. It works especially well for artisan breads, baguettes, and pizza crusts.
It can also be used in some enriched doughs like brioche or cinnamon rolls when a chewier texture is desired. For softer breads, it is sometimes blended with all-purpose or cake flour.
Storage
Store bread flour in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will keep for several months at room temperature. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Always bring flour to room temperature before using. This ensures proper hydration and consistent results.
Substitutes
All-purpose flour can be used in many bread recipes, though the texture will be softer. For a closer substitute, you can add wheat gluten to all-purpose flour. Cake flour is not suitable for most breads because it lacks sufficient protein.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (137g)Where found
Bread flour is usually found in the baking supplies section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Bread flour is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does bread flour weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 137 grams |
Related
Cereal Grains and Pasta
- In Chinese:
- 面粉
- British (UK) term:
- Bread flour
- en français:
- farine de pain
- en español:
- harina de fuerza
Recipes using bread flour
There are 659 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Favorite Spiced Pumpkin Bread
Hands-off bread machine pumpkin bread spiced with pumpkin pie spice, yielding a tender yeast loaf with subtle sweetness and warm autumn flavor.
Basic Yummy White Bread
Ultra-simple bread machine white bread using just 7 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. This minimalist formula produces a soft, tender loaf with a hint of sweetness, perfect for toast, sandwiches, or dunking in soup.
Whole Wheat Two Seeds Bread
Nutty whole wheat bread machine loaf topped with sesame and poppy seeds. Molasses adds subtle sweetness and soft texture to this high-fiber sandwich bread.
Favorite French Bread
Bread machine French bread builds a soft, chewy loaf from six ingredients: yeast, bread flour, salt, sugar, butter, and warm water. Set it and forget it bakery-style loaf.
Mini-Hot dog buns - Sliders
Cocktail sausage/frankfurter sized buns for making mini hot dog sliders. You can't find mini-buns in stores so make them from scratch at home.
Double Bran Bread - Bread Machine
This bran bread machine recipe is a fiber powerhouse, utilizing both crunchy bran flakes and fine wheat bran.
Refried Beans & Cheese Bread
This bread can either accompany or replace the Southwestem breakfast staple of refried beans topped with cheese or wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Basic Focaccia (Ultimate)
Easy homemade focaccia, with the bread machine doing the kneading. Hand-dimpled, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and showered with coarse salt and rosemary. A crisp-edged, golden Italian flatbread.
Homemade Steamed Buns
This buns are very smooth and delicious.You can adapt this bun recipe to your own taste.Shape as a porcupine.
Vanilla Walnut Bread Machine Coffee Cake
A bread machine coffee cake with honey, vanilla, and an egg-rich dough studded with brown sugar and crunchy walnuts. Warm from the machine, it fills the house with the smell of Sunday morning.
Pigs in a Blanket Reuben
These Reuben-inspired Pigs in a Blanket feature grown-up flavors of sauerkraut and Swiss cheese with a crispy topping wrapped in a warm, soft dinner roll blanket.
Bread Machine Pepperoni, Olive, & Oregano Pizza Bread
Discover the ultimate fusion of flavors with our Bread Machine Pepperoni, Olive, and Oregano Pizza Bread recipe. Effortlessly bake a savory delight that combines the zest of pepperoni, the briny touch of olives, and the aromatic essence of oregano into one irresistible loaf.
Homemade Pasta
Homemade pasta from just two ingredients, flour and eggs, kneaded smooth, rested, then rolled and hand-cut into silky fresh strips. No machine needed, and a world apart from anything dried in a box.
Almost Whole Wheat Bread
Almost whole wheat bread combines whole-wheat flour, bread flour, gluten flour, and instant potato flakes for a soft, fiber-rich bread machine sandwich loaf. The two-thirds whole-grain hybrid that actually rises.
Homemade Strawberry Jam Filled Buns
Many people’s favourite jam is strawberry. These buns are perfectly delicious. They’re shaped like croissants.
St. Patrick's Day Grasshopper Pie Cupcakes
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of a classic grasshopper pie in cupcake form! These delightful treats feature rich chocolate cupcakes topped with a silky mint mousse and a luscious chocolate ganache, all dressed up in festive green. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any occasion that calls for a minty, chocolaty dessert, these cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Love Bird Dumplings
Try this snack for your next party. Easy and fun. This is an inexpensive recipe. They are shaped like ducks.
Moist Orange Pumpkin Bread
Give the traditional pumpkin bread a new twist by adding some freshly grated lemon zest and freshly squeezed orange juice. They add some deliciously citrus taste to the moist pumpkin bread. Be sure to make enough, because everyone will ask for a second slice.
Best Pita Bread
Homemade pita bread with the puffed pocket: bread flour, yeast, oil, and a hot oven. Soft, chewy rounds for stuffing, dipping, or tearing fresh from the pan.
Homemade Steamed Vegetable Buns
This recipe is simple and easy to make.I am sure that most all vegetarians will like this. They’re shaped like apples !
Homemade Steamed Sweet Buns
Steamed buns can be easily made with a variety of fillings. They’re shaped like a flower! Try this recipe.
Light Whole Wheat Bread - Pan-1
Light whole wheat bread for the bread machine, blending whole wheat with bread flour for a soft sandwich loaf with molasses sweetness. A no-knead loaf using the wheat cycle.
Easy Bread Machine Rye Bread
Easy bread machine rye bread with a touch of rye flour and bread flour base. Light, tender deli-style rye perfect for sandwiches without the dense pumpernickel weight.
Five Grain Sourdough Bread
Five grain sourdough bread for the bread machine blends bread flour, amaranth, whole-wheat, soy and rolled oats with a tangy sourdough starter. Hearty crumb, nutty crust, high-fiber loaf.
