Simple ingredients come together in this bread machine oatmeal bread. This farmhouse favorite is excellent for sandwiches, morning toast, or as a hearty side for soups and stews.
Last updated June 15, 2024 – Originally published May 2017
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This recipe was awesome! The bread came out with a wonderful crust and taste. ~ Brenda
This recipe yields a soft, hearty loaf with a pleasant oat flavor. It makes excellent grilled sandwiches — we enjoyed it with pastrami — and it also toasts beautifully.
Different Types of Oats
Oats start as oat groats, the whole kernel with the hull removed. How the groats are processed determines the type of oats you get.
Old-Fashioned (Rolled) Oats – Steamed and flattened, rolled oats maintain texture well in baked goods. This recipe calls for old-fashioned oats for the best crumb and mouthfeel.
Steel-Cut Oats – Also called Irish or Scottish oats, these are coarse pieces of the groat and have a chewier texture when cooked.
Instant (Quick) Oats – Partially cooked, dried and rolled thinner than old-fashioned oats, instant oats cook quickly but can produce a softer, less distinct texture in baked items.
You can use instant oats if needed, but the loaf’s texture will be better with old-fashioned oats.
This molasses oatmeal bread combines the rich flavor of molasses with the hearty texture of oats for a darker, more robust loaf and is a great alternative if you want a deeper flavor profile.
FAQ for This Recipe
- If you’re unsure about yeast types (active dry, instant, bread machine, quick-rise), use active dry yeast as listed or consult your machine’s recommendations.
- Bread machines vary in capacity. If you have a different-size machine, adjust ingredient amounts or consult conversion guidance for your model.
- If you’re choosing between flours, bread flour gives a chewier structure and better rise than all-purpose flour for most yeast breads.
Making Bread Machine Oatmeal Bread
This recipe is written for a two-pound bread machine. Use the basic setting and choose a medium crust.
This yields a two-pound loaf. Follow your bread machine’s instructions for ingredient order; many machines call for liquids first. In my machine I add the oats immediately after the milk and water so they have extra time to soften.
Choose the basic bread setting and a medium crust. Check the dough after five to ten minutes of kneading by opening the lid and ensuring the dough forms a smooth, round ball. If it seems too dry, add liquid a teaspoon at a time; if too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time until the dough looks right.
Note: oatmeal bread tends to rise slightly less than lighter white loaves, so the finished loaf may be a bit shorter than breads made without oats.
Bread Machine Oatmeal Bread Recipe
This is for a two-pound bread machine using the basic setting and medium crust.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (236.6 ml)
- 1/2 cup water (118.3 ml)
- 1 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats (about 108 g)
- 3 1/3 cups bread flour (about 417 g)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (about 55 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Metric equivalents are noted above. Nutrition estimates are provided in the recipe card.
Bread Machine Oatmeal Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (236.6 ml)
- 1/2 cup water (118.3 ml)
- 1 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats (108.1 g)
- 3 1/3 cups bread flour (416.7 g)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar (55 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Instructions
- This recipe is for a two-pound bread machine. Use the basic setting and medium crust.
- Follow your bread machine’s recommended ingredient order. For many machines, liquids are added first; add the oats after the milk and water so they soften during mixing.
- After five to ten minutes of kneading, check the dough. It should form a smooth, round ball.
- If the dough is too dry, add liquid a teaspoon at a time until it looks right. If it is too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time.
Notes
Use the basic or white setting with medium crust for a two-pound machine.
This recipe was developed and tested with US customary measurements; metric conversions are provided as guidance. Expect the oatmeal loaf to be slightly shorter than some other breads due to the oats.
Nutrition
Calories: 181 kcal | Carbohydrates: 32 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 4 g | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g
All information on this page is for informational purposes only. Nutrition figures are estimates and provided as a guideline.